Private label and bulk frozen seafood supply for Europe
Epic supplies frozen seafood in bulk and on demand to food processing companies, foodservice and retail across Europe. As the seafood brand of Hottlet Frozen Foods NV, an importer and distributor based in a dedicated distribution center in Kontich, Belgium, Epic offers shrimp, fish, cephalopods, shellfish and crustaceans, frog legs, surimi and seafood finger foods. Order through the webshop or request a quote directly.
IFS certified, own cold chain in Kontich
Specifications
| Status | Importer and distributor, not a producer |
| Origin | Trading history started by Pierre Hottlet in Antwerp in 1970 |
| Distribution center | Kontich, Belgium |
| Storage capacity | 4,500 pallet positions, continuous frozen storage |
| Brands | Epic and Epic Select |
| Sourcing | Global network of reliable suppliers, origin stated per reference |
| Assortment | Shrimp, fish, cephalopods, shellfish and crustaceans, frog legs, surimi, finger foods |
| Buyer types | Wholesalers, retailers, foodservice distributors, and food processing companies |
| Bulk supply | Delivered in bulk and on-demand to food processing companies, ready to be transformed into their own frozen or fresh convenience foods (pizzas, lasagnes, fish dishes, stews, ready meals, soups) |
| Frozen snacks and finger foods | Seafood finger foods supplied frozen, including muslitos, churros, torpedo and crispy shrimp, for foodservice and retail snack ranges |
| Delivery | Belgium and across Europe |
| Ordering | Webshop at shop.epic.be (pricing visible after login) or direct quote request |
| Certifications | IFS Logistics, IFS Broker, MSC, ASC and AEO, audited every year |
Application and ordering
Epic buys frozen seafood from a global network of reliable suppliers and imports and distributes it into Europe; it does not operate its own fishing fleet or farms. A buyer building a private label range or sourcing bulk frozen seafood as an ingredient gets one supply line across shrimp, fish, cephalopods, shellfish and crustaceans, frog legs, surimi and finger foods, rather than a separate specialist per category. The business grew out of an Antwerp trading company that Pierre Hottlet started in 1970, and it has operated from its own distribution center in Kontich since 1991, expanded to a 4,500-pallet frozen storage capacity. Epic already serves food processing companies in bulk, supplying frozen seafood that customers transform into their own frozen or fresh convenience foods, pizzas, lasagnes, fish dishes, stews, ready meals and soups among them. Epic trades under two brand names, Epic and Epic Select. Retailers and importers building a private label frozen seafood range work with Epic the same way any wholesale or foodservice buyer does: order through the webshop once a login is issued, or open the relationship with a direct quote request describing the product, volume and delivery destination. IFS Logistics covers storage and distribution, IFS Broker the trading activity, and AEO cross-border customs security. MSC and ASC apply only to specific references in the assortment, so ask Epic which references carry them before citing a label. Delivery runs from the Kontich distribution center.
Which Epic certificates can a private label buyer cite, and which apply per product?
IFS Logistics, IFS Broker and AEO apply company-wide: IFS Logistics for storage and distribution, IFS Broker for the trading activity and AEO for customs security. MSC and ASC apply to specific references only, not to the full assortment. A buyer who needs an MSC or ASC claim on its own packaging or tender documents should confirm the exact reference with Epic first. The details are on the certificates, food safety and cold chain page.
Is Epic a manufacturer or an importer and distributor?
Epic is an importer and distributor, not a producer. It buys frozen seafood from a global network of reliable suppliers and distributes it into Europe from its own distribution center in Kontich, Belgium. It does not operate its own fishing fleet or farms. For private label or bulk projects Epic supplies the seafood input, and the buyer or manufacturer makes and brands the finished product. For a specific project, send Epic the product, volume and delivery destination.
What count sizes and pack formats does Epic supply for bulk and processing?
Count is pieces per kg, or grams per piece for fish fillets, for example 150-200 g per piece for cod loins. Packs run from 100 g to 2 kg per unit, usually 4 to 12 units per carton depending on the format. Individually wrapped pieces (IWP) can be thawed in part without touching the rest of the carton. Block frozen cartons, such as Black Tiger shrimp tails in 1.44 kg blocks, 6 per carton, are typically used for larger volumes and further processing. Ask our team for the minimum order quantity, glazing percentage and technical spec sheet per reference with your first quote.
Is Epic the same company as Hottlet Frozen Foods, and what are Epic and Epic Select?
Epic is the seafood brand of Hottlet Frozen Foods NV, Heiveldekens 4, 2550 Kontich, Belgium. Epic and Epic Select are the two brand names it trades under. The story started in 1970 with Pierre Hottlet, who turned a trading company out of Antwerp into an importer and distributor of frozen seafood. The Kontich distribution center opened in 1991 and reached its current 4,500 pallet capacity after the 2005 extension. Louis Hottlet joined in 2023 as the third generation of the family. Older hottlet.be addresses redirect to epic.be.
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Frequently asked questions
Updated on 2026-11-01 by Epic team