Icelandic company Valka has struck a deal with Norwegian processor Båtsfjordbruket to supply sophisticated fully automated fillet processing lines in a €4 million contract that includes two complete systems for trimming, cutting, distribution and packing of fillets and portions.
With a long tradition behind it as a conventional fish purchasing station and filleting factory, Båtsfjordbruket is a subsidiary of Nordic seafood group Insula AS and was established in 1981. In recent years an increasingly demanding market wants fresh products, as well as a narrower set of product specifications, and consumer-ready packaging are resulting in the production process becoming more complex than ever. An additional challenge has been to bring in enough skilled labour.
‘The new Valka production lines will allow us to strategically improve our capabilities and serve our customers in the best possible way. Furthermore, it will greatly improve our competitiveness in an ever more demanding market,’ commented Båtfjordbruket CEO Frank Kristiansen.
‘We are honoured to be part of this ambitious project and in helping Båtsfjordbruket achieve their goals,’ added Valka’s general director Kristján Kristjánsson.
‘In 2015 we installed a comprehensive fully automated whole fish grading system at the plant, and this is a logical next step into the future for them.’
Valka specialises in progressive systems for groundfish and salmon processing, focusing on minimising waste while maximising yields. The company pioneered the use of X-ray technology for locating bones in fillets and coupled this to robot waterjet technology in its fully automated portioning systems.
