SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week’s episode of the hit reality series “Undercover Boss” will feature American Seafoods Group CEO Bernt Bodal as he returns to his roots on board an Alaskan Bering Sea catcher-processor vessel and also travels to New Bedford, MA to work at the Company’s processing plant. The episode will be broadcast Friday, Feb. 24 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
“During the production of the episode, I was able to appreciate first-hand the hard work and the dedication of American Seafoods’ employees, both on our vessels and at our New Bedford processing operations,” said Bodal. “While I had my start in this business as a deck-hand, returning “undercover” as CEO and majority owner was a totally different experience. It reminded me that what our employees do is hard, physical work, but the reward – healthy seafood from sustainable fisheries – is well worth it.”
During the filming at sea, Bodal’s work covered the full range of activities aboard a modern catcher-processor that ensure full utilization of the catch. He helped haul the catch aboard on the deck of the F/T American Triumph, assisted with the production of finished product on the surimi processing line, and even helped with the production of fishmeal, a valuable by-product made from the catch after the fish is filleted. As a result of learning the personal stories of the employees he worked with, Bodal has provided internet access to all of the employees on American Seafoods’ vessels so they can stay in touch with family and friends back home. “I was reminded of the feeling of isolation at sea and was happy that I could take advantage of new technology to enable the more than 600 crew members to be in contact with those most important to them,” said Bodal. “It was technically challenging, but it will definitely make the life on board the vessels better for our employees.”
While in New Bedford, Bodal worked at the direction of the Maintenance Director at the American Pride Seafoods plant. “He is a no-nonsense guy who pulled no punches when it came to giving me difficult tasks or in his review of my work,” noted Bodal. “While it was well outside my comfort zone, it made me appreciate the jobs our employees perform, not all of them pleasant, to make the great products we market around the world.”
Each week, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated “Undercover Boss” follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees, they see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations, and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering and rewarding the unsung heroes who make their companies run.
American Seafoods Group processes seafood into an array of finished products, both on board its state-of-the-art fleet of vessels and at its HACCP-approved production facilities located in Massachusetts. The Company produces a diverse range of fillet, surimi, roe and block product offerings, made from Alaska pollock, Pacific whiting, Pacific cod and sea scallops. Finished products are sold worldwide through an extensive global distribution and customer support network. From the ocean to the plate, American Seafoods has established a global sourcing, selling, marketing and distribution network bringing quality seafood to consumers worldwide.