Bakkafrost has signed a deal with Marel for equipping the portioning and value-added production (VAP) sections of its new salmon Harvest/Packaging/VAP factory in the Faroe Islands, set to open in 2016.
Bakkafrost’s state-of-the-art factory will be equipped with the latest technology to improve efficiency while fulfilling today’s strict requirements for hygienic design, food safety, and gentle product handling, and is expected to set new standards within the salmon industry.
As announced in Q4 2014, Bakkafrost already chose Marel to supply the latest technology for the primary processing section of the new facility – a highly sophisticated Grading and Distribution System for Whole Salmon that includes gutting and box packing areas, as well as an intelligent distribution system to all processes following the gutting process.
Bakkafrost and Marel share a long history together and in this second stage of planning, Marel has signed with the Faroese salmon giant to supply equipment for the value-added production such as portioning and packing of all final products, as well as the software that will tie the new plant together.
Marel will supply an integrated, high capacity, innovative system for the gutting area, distribution of products, packing of whole fish, value-added production, skinning, portioning, packing, labeling, check weighing, and metal detection.
Salmon ProcessingMarel will be the sole supplier for distribution to freezers, packing of frozen products, by-product handling, and IQF packing. Marel equipment has also been chosen for the tubs area, whole fish freezing and packing, filleting lines, and vacuum lines in the portioning area.
An advanced Marel portioning and distribution system prior to and after portioning will not only allow for high accuracy in the portioning control, but also result in less giveaway and, most importantly, higher utilization of the raw material.
As Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen explains, When it came to planning the construction of the new factory, we turned to Marel because of their proven track record in supplying reliable, long-lasting, state-of-the-art equipment and software solutions.
Delivery for the primary processes will take place in early 2016, followed in midR11;2016 by delivery for the value-added production.
Marel is the only company able to supply a full solution of this scale with such a high degree of automation. On top of this, Marel’s in-house software, INNOVA, will keep processes throughout the factory in sync and provide critical performance indicators, with Bakkafrost investing in modules including Yield Control, Labeling, Packing, Grading, Inventory Control, Order Manager, and Quality Control.
In this project, Marel will draw on its extensive experience from many other successful installations to provide Bakkafrost with the means to gain the edge over their competitors.
Bakkafrost is the largest salmon farmer in the Faroe Islands and we enjoy a long-term relationship with them,” said Arni Oddur Thordarson, CEO of Marel, at the signing of the first stage of the deal. “We are proud to be chosen as their partner in the journey towards setting new standards in the salmon industry.
