1. business and industrial
2. manufacturing

APRIL 2015
INSIGHT
FISH PROCESSING
NEW
INNOVATIONS
& NEW PRODUCT
FEATURES
FleXicut
Automatic pinbone removal in whitefish
FOCUS ON INNOVA SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS:
Innova Labeling, OEE & Quality Control
INSIGHTS FROM PROCESSORS OF ALL SIZES
I N S I G HT
CONTENTS
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BRINGING TECHNOLOGY
TO THE HEART OF FISH
PROCESSING FACILITIES
03 BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO
THE HEART OF FISH PROCESSING
with Marel’s FleXicut – automatic pinbone
removal for whitefish.
05 STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
with Visir hf. & FleXicut.
06 FASTER, SHARPER, SMARTER
PORTIONING with Hofseth International
AS & Marel’s I-Cut 130 PortionCutter.
07 SUPERIOR SALMON FILLETING
WITH BACK & BELLY TRIMMING
with Marel’s MS2730 Filleting Machine.
08 FOCUS ON INNOVA
Innova Labeling, OEE & Quality Control.
10 RAISING QUALITY
MANAGEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
with Nordlaks & Innova Quality Control.
11 THE CERTIFIED BELT WEIGHER
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF
FISH PROCESSING – TOGETHER
that raises the industry standard.
We are excited about our innovations for the fish
industry, and by the ongoing partnerships that
make them possible.
12 PRODUCING WORLD-CLASS
SALMON with Mt.Cook Alpine Salmon &
a Marel filleting line.
13 HEAD FIRST INTO SALMON
SKINNING with Marel’s new MS1710
Salmon Skinner.
14 PORTION CUTTER EXPANDS
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
at Le Venec SA.
15 PORTION CUTTING ON A
LARGE SCALE with Marel’s new I-Cut 610
PortionCutter.
16 FISH PROCESSING EVENTS
at Marel’s Progress Point demo center in
Copenhagen.
We work with processors of all sizes to ensure
that our products help raise their efficiency while
optimizing yield and throughput and enhancing
the overall quality and value of food. The
challenges our customers face drive us to design
the equipment and software solutions that will help them operate at
peak productivity and create value, well into the future.
From the water-jet cutter that removes pinbones in whitefish, to the
salmon filleting machine that now includes back and belly trim – this
edition of Insight Fish Processing highlights some of our most exciting
innovations, and looks to the future of seafood processing with Marel.
Sigurdur Olason
Managing Director, Fish Industry Center, Marel
The FleXicut water-jet cutter
removes pinbones in whitefish –
accurately and automatically. The
machine has a neat footprint and a
range of benefits, including greater
product diversity, and higher yield
and throughput.
The precision of the machine’s cuts
returns on average a greater yield
than is possible with manual
trimming, as well as ensuring
uniformity in the cut and the size of
pieces.
IMPACT ACROSS THE WHOLE
PROCESSING LINE
Equipped with high resolution X-ray
and water-jet cutters, Marel’s
FleXicut incorporates two critical
processing steps in one machine:
precisely locating the pinbones and
then cutting the fillet to remove
them.
The loin is the most valuable part of
the fillet and so it’s crucial for
processors to make the most use of
it, cutting as close to the bone frame
as possible.
FleXicut can also divide the loin, cut
the belly flap or tail, or portion the
fish to customer specifications,
skin-on or skin-off.
A WIDER RANGE OF END PRODUCTS
There are many ways to use the fillet,
and FleXicut can make an intelligent
decision on how to divide the fillet,
taking into account the weight and
shape of the fish being processed at
the time, as well as customer
parameters on yield.
FleXicut is easily integrated into
most existing factory layouts, and is
the key element of the next
generation of processing systems
that will transform the whole
processing floor.
The variety in the range of possible
cuts is one of the biggest benefits of
the machine, as it helps processors
maximize the value of the raw
material and adjust cutting to meet
orders each day, regardless of
whether fillets are large or small.
“The high level of technology and
automation that this development
brings us transforms the very nature
of fish processing,” says Gudbjorg
Heida Gudmundsdottir, Project
Manager at Marel.
“FleXicut utilizes fillets of all sizes
very well,” says Gudmundsdottir, “and
when we’re talking about facilities
that process dozens of tons per day,
this quickly adds up to significant
gains in yield, which translates into
significant profits for the processor.”
An even greater variety of products
is made possible as FleXicut can be
used for skin-on fillets. This opens up
the prospect of producing skin-on
products such as skin-on loin and
skin-on smart fillets.
GETTING CLOSER TO BONELESS
FILLETS
The FleXicut’s X-ray can detect
pinbones that might otherwise slip
through manual trimming,
significantly decreasing the bone
ratio in the fillet.
As Gudmundsdottir explains,
“Producing boneless fillets is one of
our goals as we continue to develop
the whitefish systems in coming
years.”
TAKING FISH PROCESSING INTO THE
FUTURE
The FleXicut is the heart of the next
generation of whitefish processing
and the development of the whole
system is driven by the technology
of the water-jet cutter.
Marel first introduced FleXicut early
in 2014 and has come a long way
towards developing the new
generation processing flowlines,
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V I S I R H F. C U S TO M E R I N S I G H T
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F L E XICU T
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which are expected to be released
by the end of this year.
“FleXicut runs with Innova, and even
more opportunities are expected to
open up as we further develop the
software for this new line – such as
full traceability through the system,
and integrated stock and order
management” says Gudmundsdottir.
Marel has already developed a
product distribution system located
after the FleXicut. These developments have been made possible
thanks largely to Marel’s close
partnerships with fish processors.
“We regard this as a journey into the
future with our customers,” says
Gudmundsdottir.
“Marel is bringing hi-tech to the heart of
the fish processing factory and this will
influence the entire process.”
Petur Palsson, CEO of Vísir
“It’s very important for us to be able
to work so closely with the fish
industry in further developing the
technology that already enables
higher yield, a greater variety in
end-products, and better quality.”
Strong partnerships with our
customers are the bedrock of this
new generation of whitefish
processing equipment.
Marel has a big team working on this
project that has been following
FleXicut through development and
implementation, first in Iceland and
Norway, and will continue to do so
as the machine is installed in nearby
whitefish markets such as Denmark,
the UK and Canada, and then more
widely.
GO TO:
marel.com/fleXicut
“We regard this as a journey into the
future with our customers... further
developing the technology that already
enables higher yield, a greater variety in
end-products, and better quality.”
Gudbjorg Heida Gudmundsdottir,
Project Manager at Marel
STEPPING INTO THE
FUTURE WITH VISIR
Vísir hf has now been running
FleXicut together with automatic
pinbone removal and product
distribution since February 2015.
They are primarily using FleXicut
for cod and haddock; with catfish,
ling, and redfish also being cut, but
not as primary products.
Vísir hf. is a fishing, processing, and
sales company with four facilities
around Iceland. The company
produces a diverse product range
from various kinds of fish, most of
which are caught on long-line by its
own fishing fleet.
The possibilities for Vísir’s production
are almost endless. Salted fish has
always been one of the company’s
primary products, but its product
line also includes a large selection of
frozen, fresh, and dried products.
Petur Palsson, CEO of Vísir, explains
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the main benefits of FleXicut for the
company: “We’re definitely seeing
that the variety in products that we
can produce, and having uniform
product every time, are great
benefits.”
“In addition, FleXicut is now doing
the same job as 10 employees on the
flow line used to do, and the yield is
meeting our goals.”
“With FleXicut, Marel is bringing
hi-tech to the heart of the fish
processing factory and this will
influence the entire process,” says
Palsson. “This is one of the biggest
steps towards automation that we’ve
seen for a very long time in fish
processing technology.”
can bring high value to the industry,”
Palsson explains.
“There are many opportunities out
there and we have always worked
well with Marel and knew that
together we would come up with
a solution that would meet all our
requirements.”
GO TO:
marel.com/fleXicut
Marel has enjoyed a strong partnership with Vísir for many years.
“For the seafood industry, working
together with a company like Marel
5
H O F S E TH INTERNATIONAL
CU STOM E R INSIGH T
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POR TION CU T T E R
•
FASTER, SHARPER,
SMARTER PORTIONING
Hofseth International AS saw the
need to upgrade their existing
portion cutting equipment to meet
significantly increasing customer
demand. The I-Cut 130
PortionCutter, with its high
capacity and high level of accuracy,
was the perfect solution to their
requirements.
Norwegian company Hofseth
International AS has a long tradition
in fish processing. Each year, they
produce approximately 25,000 tons
of salmon products which are
consumed all over the world. Around
95 per cent of their products are
exported, with their largest market
being North America.
They see their ability to quickly
adapt to market and customer
requirements as one of their unique
strengths. And Marel’s portion
cutting equipment plays an
important role in helping them to do
this.
An increase in customer demand
meant they needed to be able to cut
with very high levels of accuracy
whilst running at extremely high
speeds.
Their existing Marel portion cutters
were only four years old, but they
saw the potential profit that could be
gained from the I-Cut 130
PortionCutter’s increased capacity,
higher precision, and innovative
software.
IN-HOUSE TESTING SEALS THE DEAL
Finn Olaf Stokkereit, Technical
Manager at Hofseth, first saw the
I-Cut 130 PortionCutter at the Boston
Seafood Show.
“Seeing the machine in action at the
trade show, really opened my eyes to
its full potential. Its innovative
portion cutting technology means it
can process higher volumes and
reach greater accuracy levels than
anything I’ve experienced before,” he
explains.
An agreement was reached for
Hofseth to test an I-Cut 130
PortionCutter at one of their two
modern production facilities in
Norway. The trial delivered
immediate results and the company
decided to invest in three portion
cutters, which were installed in both
their factories in Ålesund and Syvde.
GETTING AHEAD WITH FASTER &
SHARPER PORTIONING
Marel specifically developed the
I-Cut 130 PortionCutter to enable
salmon processing companies to
keep pace with the constantly
escalating demands from retail and
food service customers.
“Just three months after installing
the I-Cut 130 PortionCutter in
Ålesund, we were able to
significantly increase monthly
throughput,” says Stokkereit. “We saw
an immediate increase in volume to
1,150 tons of raw material per month
– something we have never achieved
before.”
But it’s not just throughput that’s
important in salmon processing. A
vital part of supplying retailers with
fixed-weight packs is being able to
supply an exact weight without the
risk of it being under-weight, while
also ensuring give-away is kept to an
absolute minimum.
“We are selling our products in
fixed-weight packs, with a specific
number of portions in each,” says
Stokkereit.
“With the I-Cut 130 PortionCutter, we
can now hit this fixed weight more
precisely than ever before, reduce
the give-away considerably and
increase our yield. This has given us
an incredibly fast return on our
investment.”
NEW GENERATION SOFTWARE
OPTIMIZES YIELD
One of the main attractions for
Hofseth when purchasing the I-Cut
130 PortionCutter was its advanced
software. The numerous innovative
cutting patterns and features
combine to maximize raw material
utilization and profits.
“The software is very user-friendly
and easy for our employees to
operate. The flexibility of the cutting
FI LLE T I N G MAC HI N E
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programs gives us the options to
better utilize raw material, ensuring
that more of each fillet is used for
our more valuable products,” says
Stokkereit.
“The I-Cut 130 PortionCutter Quick
Weight Adjustment feature has also
helped to increase the accuracy of
our portion cutting,” Stokkereit adds.
“This feature makes it possible to
readjust target weights during
production without stopping the
machine.”
RESPONDING TO INDUSTRY TRENDS
Not only was customer demand
increasing, there was also a
requirement for portions cut at a 45
degree angle. The I-Cut 130
PortionCutter is one of the few
machines available that can do this.
“Our customers in the US have a
specific requirement for portions cut
at a 45 degree angle, as this gives a
larger coverage of the plate. The
I-Cut 130 PortionCutter gives us a
real competitive advantage in being
able to offer this,” says Stokkereit.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
SUPERIOR SALMON FILLETING
WITH BACK & BELLY
TRIMMING
The MS 2730 Filleting Machine has proven itself as one of the most
advanced salmon filleting machines on the market today, and more
than 50 have been installed in all sizes of salmon processing facilities
in nearly 20 countries around the globe since it was launched in 2012.
The MS 2730 takes salmon filleting to a new level in terms of yield,
throughput, and automation. Capable of filleting up to 25 fish per minute, it
comes with automatic adjustment for a variety of sizes from 2 to 8 kg.
“We are always looking for new
markets and products and we need
to respond quickly to new trends in
the industry and to customer
demand,” Stokkereit explains.
Marel has recently introduced two groundbreaking new features to the
filleting machine: back and belly trimming. Including trimming functions in
a filleting machine is unique and saves on labor costs by further reducing
the need for manual trimming.
“Marel continues to deliver the
equipment that helps us do this. We
also truly value Marel’s local
presence, support, and service.”
The MS 2730 makes filleting fast and easy by having fish placed belly-down
at the in-feed. A set of circular knives cuts the fish from gut to tail,
producing additional yield by including the meat close to the center bone
in the fillets.
The end result is high-quality fillets with improved yield and increased
throughput.
GO TO:
marel.com/portioncutting
The unit’s user-friendly multilingual touch screen makes operation
extremely easy, providing maximum safety for the operator and reducing
downtime arising from mechanical issues.
Programs can be stored and used for specific fish sizes, or the machine can
perform at a high level by using the automatic size adjustment feature.
• High-quality output & high throughput for both pre-rigor & post-rigor fish
• Increased yield with an extra cut made from the vent to the tail
• Automatically adjusts to fit fish from 2-8 kg
• Easy & safe operation via user-friendly touch screen
• Easy, fast cleaning process
GO TO:
marel.com/filleting
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F O C U S
O N
I N N O VA
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I N N O VA
L A B E L I N G
FOCUS ON INNOVA
Innova Software Solutions combine Marel’s production
management software and processing know-how to
provide full traceability and deliver detailed information
on all key processing data from receiving to dispatch.
With key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to every stage
of processing, users can control and monitor virtually every
aspect of the production process in real time – from
throughput, yield, and performance to giveaway, product
quality, and stock levels.
This enables fish processors to improve decision-making in
order to maximize yield and throughput, conform to quality
standards, ensure food safety, achieve full traceability, and
raise efficiency.
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I N N O VA
O E E
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I N N O VA
There are many reasons why
processing machinery doesn’t
always run at 100 per cent.
Stoppages, running at reduced
speed, or producing products
outside the machine’s specifications
are among the possible reasons
machinery might not be operating
effectively at full capacity.
But in order to improve
performance it’s important to know
precisely what is hindering
performance.
Marel developed Innova Labeling to meet the food industry’s
need for control and automation of the labeling process from
receiving to dispatch.
The Innova OEE module helps you
determine and understand the
exact reason for any reduction in
efficiency so that you can improve
your processes, by providing you
with all the necessary data to
identify inefficiencies.
“We use Innova as a daily tool.
It’s a way of life for us.”
The software provides OEE figures
and collects real-time data about
process performance. It compiles
performance profiles which include
detailed figures for breaks, quality
losses etc. It also presents key
figures that show, for example:
Availability – potential vs actual
production time
Performance – theoretical output vs
actual output
Quality – the number of products
produced to specification vs rejected
products
Data can also be compiled for
multiple lines, in order to easily spot
performance differences.
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PR OCES S ING
The new Innova OEE module
calculates Overall Equipment
Effectiveness (OEE) and provides
fish processors with detailed
information about the
performance of their processes.
This enables them to easily
identify opportunities for
improvement and quickly
implement corrective actions.
Marel’s Innova Labeling software, for example, enables fish
processors to create labels that fulfill the new EU legislative
requirements that came into force in December 2014.
– Rob Smith, Head of Operations, Morrisons, Grimsby, UK
FI S H
EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVENESS
HOW CAN THE OEE MODULE HELP
YOU?
The legislation includes changes to mandatory nutrition
information on processed seafood, mandatory labeling of
catch area or country of production, and allergens information requirements.
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INNOVA OVERALL
MEETING THE NEW EU LABELING LAWS
All fish processors operating within the EU need to comply
with the new EU Regulation 1169/2011, which affects labels
accompanying all fishery and aquaculture products for EU
consumers.
I N S I G HT
Q C
QUICKLY IDENTIFY PRODUCTION PROBLEMS
Most importantly, the Innova OEE module presents
data in the form of easy to interpret charts and
graphs so that you can see at a glance how
everything is running.
Any improvements required are highly visible and
easy to understand. The full report suite and analysis
tool make it possible to quickly identify and address
the cause of costly production losses.
RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO PRODUCTION PROBLEMS
Innova OEE enables you to respond quickly if
production is running inefficiently by capturing
real-time data which can then be acted on
immediately. The software identifies the reasons for
stops or losses, then registers the details, which allow
you to conduct an evaluation.
Corrective actions can then be implemented
immediately in order to improve equipment
effectiveness.
Once corrective actions have been initiated, the
software tracks the effect of the improvements and
quickly identifies whether the expected outcome has
been achieved.
GO TO:
marel.com/INNOVA
INCREASE PRODUCT QUALITY & VALUE WITH INNOVA
QUALITY CONTROL
With Innova QC, all inspections are directly linked to production,
raw material source or final products, for full traceability.
Our ultimate aim is to give you paperless control and automation
of your quality control.
Innova handles various inspection items, inspection processes,
and responses to quality assurance inspection results, all
configurable by the user: from raw material and product
inspections, to box/pallet inspections.
• Enable real-time monitoring & rapid response to quality deviations
• Link quality data with traceability information
• Customize inspection lists & scheduling
• Perform offline inspections
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“Until now, with everything
written down on paper, I
can only look back to see
for example, a result from
yesterday. But with Innova
QC we can get a report to
see what’s happening now.”
– Camilla Kortsen, Quality Manager
at Nordlaks
•
N O R D L A K S
C U S TO M E R
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I N N O VA
Q C
•
F LO W S C A L E
RAISING QUALITY MANAGEMENT
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Innova Quality Control (QC) is a
ready to use software solution that
has proven itself for use in all
industries. Innova QC has been
developed and designed for food
processors to manage their quality
control and monitoring system
more effectively and with much less
paper.
At the end of the day, it all comes
down to maximizing value by
enabling customers to produce safe
and wholesome end products with
the highest possible quality. And
what Marel offers its customers with
Innova QC is a user-friendly toolbox
to do exactly that.
“Marel is the first to offer this kind of
product, this kind of solution with
Innova,” says Camilla Kortsen, Quality
Manager at Nordlaks in Northern
Norway.
Nordlaks recently celebrated 25
years of producing, processing, and
selling Atlantic salmon and Rainbow
trout. The company has been
working with Marel since the 90s
and is now implementing Innova QC.
Innova QC workshops run during the
installation and implementation
phases ensure that the software is
meeting expectations, and provide
the training that ensures each
customer gets the most out of the
solution.
Combined with ongoing service, the
workshops help ensure customers
can raise their quality management
to the next level.
The workshops also strengthen
Marel’s partnerships with the fish
processing industry, ensuring we
stay at the forefront of serving the
market’s ever-changing needs.
INNOVA QC WORKSHOPS WITH
NORDLAKS
During workshops, the Innova team
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I N S I G H T
works with customers to design,
customize, and implement a
user-friendly and potentially
paperless QC system, ensuring they
can make the best use of the
software.
“The workshops are very helpful,”
Kortsen explains. “If we have a
question – can we do this, is this
possible – we get an answer very
quickly.”
“The Innova technicians visiting
Nordlaks can understand better
what we are doing – we can say,
‘Let’s go down to the production and
I’ll show you,’” Kortsen adds.
Innova QC workshops help
customers make the best use of the
software to improve their processing
performance.
As Rich Otley, Cold Store Manager at
Nordlaks, explains, “At the workshops
here [in Iceland], being so close to
the people doing the hard coding
really speeds up the process.” This
helps ensure that Norlaks can make
the best use of the solution right
from the start.
“The workshops are a good way to
pool resources and find new
solutions; adjust it to fit our
requirements,” says Otley.
DESIGNED FOR A VARIETY OF QC
NEEDS
In short, Innova QC helps processors
catch potential problems early, react
in real time, and therefore minimize
the risk of compromising the quality
of end products. Innova QC is also a
great solution for continuously
improving quality, increasing food
safety, and minimizing time in
rework.
on factors including the size of the
processing operation and the range
of processes, as well as industry or
country-specific regulations.
With this in mind, Marel has
developed the Innova QC module to
ensure processors can integrate
dependable quality control
inspection in their processing plants,
while being flexible enough to suit
the whole range of processing
operations and to support various
international food safety standards.
Each adjustment and update must
be tested thoroughly, as it’s vital that
customers can rely on their
production management software.
“Our suppliers’ level of quality
control is very important and my
experience with Innova is that
they’re very thorough,” says Otley.
“We don’t get even the smallest
change or update until it’s been
quality controlled, until it does
actually work as designed.”
INNOVATING TOGETHER
It’s exciting for Marel to be able to
offer the food processing industry a
new level of quality control, and the
product has been strengthened
considerably by Marel’s partnership
with Nordlaks and other processors.
“I feel we’ve stretched this QC
module to something it wasn’t in the
beginning,” says Otley. “It’s getting
beyond our expectations now, and
it’s only going to grow and get even
better, because we can see the
potential, the possibilities.”
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THE CERTIFIED BELT
WEIGHER THAT RAISES
THE INDUSTRY STANDARD
The Flowscale belt weigher is unique in the way it keeps fish on the same
level in order to ensure gentle handling. It was released in 2014 with EU,
OIML and US NTEP approvals, and is now fully certified.
Designed for high-volume weighing of pelagic species, whitefish, and
salmon, Marel’s Flowscale is a self-contained belt weigher that sets an
industry benchmark in its category by gently weighing up to 100 tons of
fish per hour in a continuous flow.
“We’re very happy with the performance of
the Flowscale. We’ve noticed a significant
improvement in handling and efficiency, which
is great for maintaining the quality of the fish.”
– Robert Parsons, Vessel Manager M/V Northern Victor, Icicle Seafoods,
Seattle
The compact, high-capacity Flowscale was designed specifically to
maintain quality by handling fish gently. The Flowscale is more efficient
and effective than its predecessors, and it replaces methods of weighing
that inherently diminish product quality, such as hopper-scale weighing.
The Flowscale continuously records the weight of product moving across it
and displays this data on an M2200 terminal, then registers the
accumulated weight for each lot. It is ideal for measuring the total catch of
fish coming from a fishing vessel into a processing factory, as well as for
measuring the total amount of fish product in and out of a specific process.
The Marel Flowscale is Weights & Measures approved for use in commercial
businesses, and has received EU, OIML and US NTEP certifications. This
fulfills legal requirements, which widely mandate fish processors to have an
approved, in-weighing process for raw materials.
Using Innova Software Solutions, each flow can be set up through the
system based on customer, vessel, and other specifications. Throughout
the process, Innova collects flow information and generates reports as
needed. The system includes Alibi memory storage that can be crossreferenced with Innova reports for validation purposes and legal
requirements.
GO TO:
marel.com/flowscale
GO TO:
marel.com/INNOVA
But quality control procedures and
requirements vary greatly among
processors and food safety
management standards, depending
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PRODUCING
WORLD-CLASS SALMON
EFFECTIVELY & ECONOMICALLY
Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon factory
processes extremely high-grade
salmon using a Marel filleting line
and INNOVA Software Solutions.
Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon has
achieved vertical integration with
the completion of a purpose built
processing facility at Timaru in New
Zealand. Opened in late 2013, the
new factory was a milestone for the
organization, which is setting out to
own and control all the steps from
farm through to sales.
The factory enables Mt. Cook to
handle all of its wet fish processing
in-house as production increases. “In
line with our business strategy we
are experiencing very rapid growth,”
Mt. Cook Operations Manager Adrian
Hill explains.
“It will grow with our production, but
most importantly it will allow us to
continue to produce extremely high
grade salmon, even as production
increases.” And with production
tipped to reach 1200 tons by 2015,
and 2000 tons by 2018, it was
paramount that Mt. Cook plan the
new factory, equipment, and
processes with this in mind.
Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon approached
Marel in search of a solution for the
new facility. They wanted a solution
that would reduce the double
handling of weight and quality
grading, as well as grade out the
premium fish suitable to be
produced as the high value Saikou.
The custom solution that Marel
delivered was our own in-house
design concept that combines a
standard Marel Grader with Flowline
type production tables.
This is a very economical and
effective solution for Mt. Cook. A
Proline Packing Grader, two packing
stations, and INNOVA software were
also included in this project.
The INNOVA solution provides
traceability from farm to pack.
INNOVA takes care of yield data,
inventory control, and bar code
labeling for packs and finished
goods, right through to dispatch.
This is integral to the operation of
the Mt. Cook factory as it means
critical information is on hand in real
time.
“We worked with local experts across
a variety of fields to put together a
modern, world-class facility,” says
Adrian Hill. “With the factory coming
on line this completes the vertical
integration of the hatchery, farm,
and processing.”
GO TO:
marel.com/filleting
marel.com/INNOVA
HEAD FIRST
INTO SALMON
SKINNING
The MS 1710 Salmon Skinner will optimize the flow of salmon
processing lines as we know them today. The new Salmon Skinner
was launched at the Salmon ShowHow in February 2015, and
stands out for the way it skins fillets head first, without any loss in
quality or capacity.
As salmon fillets are processed with the head first in all processing
steps prior to skinning, fillets no longer have to be turned around
to be skinned. The reduced handling ensures a better flow on the
line, while the risks of damaging the fillet and bacterial
contamination are significantly reduced.
“Most importantly it will allow us to continue to produce extremely high grade salmon, even as production increases.”
– Adrian Hill, Operations Manager Manager at Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon
The dual-lane skinner is designed for traditional skinning, silver
skinning, or deep skinning with optimum yield. The machine’s
unique top feeds enable each lane to operate independently and
minimize gaping by lifting off the product.
This simple and safe inline skinner will provide salmon processors
with increased yields and unbeatable performance.
GO TO:
marel.com/skinning
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L E V E N E C
C U S TO M E R
I N S I G H T
•
P O R T I O N
I N S I G HT
C U T T I N G
PORTION CUTTER EXPANDS
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
When Alan Le Venec saw a
demonstration of a Marel portion
cutter, he knew immediately it had
massive potential for his business.
Since then, Le Venec has worked
with Marel to optimize the portion
cutter’s use to successfully expand
into new customer segments.
This was not only to meet changes in
customer preference for portioned
fish but also because the company
was experiencing more and more
difficulty at supply level. This was
due to EU quotas being significantly
downscaled, especially in terms of
fishing net specifications.
Le Venec SA was established in 1946
and has been in the Le Venec family
since 1970. In 2010 Alan Le Venec
took over the business from his
parents and has taken the company
from strength to strength. The
company now has 35 employees
based in Concarneau and Erquy.
Every day, they buy fresh fish from
several wholesale markets in Brittany
which is then sorted, portioned, and
packaged before being sold.
It was therefore necessary for
Le Venec to change its business
strategy and make a decision to
process bigger fish and supply new
customer segments.
Each year, Le Venec SA sells 2,500
tons of fish directly to the public
from its recently expanded store
and also to businesses primarily in
France, as well as other European
countries. The company has an
annual turnover of €8 million.
OPENING DOORS TO NEW MARKETS
SUCCESS THROUGH ADAPTABILITY
In the past, Le Venec SA traded
almost exclusively in small fish.
However, in recent years processes
have been adapted to handle larger
fish.
This meant that larger fish had to
be cut into smaller and very precise
portions. Originally this was done by
hand and was a hard and tiring task
for employees who had to work long
hours to meet demand.
Today, thanks to the portion cutter,
new markets are opening up to Le
Venec SA.
Alan Le Venec explains, “Before, we
were limited in terms of capacity
and the raw material available in the
market. We produced about 200kg
per day. Sometimes we were cutting
5,000 portions per day and our
employees had to work until very
late, it was hard and tiring.”
“Now,” he adds, “we process about
one ton per day, but the machine
actually has the capacity to handle
up to one ton per hour. So there
is great potential to expand our
business even further. We also
have much more flexibility when
it comes to raw material. Being
able to portion the larger fish
that is in supply, and developing
new customer segments as a
consequence, has been critical for
the development of our business.”
INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS
“When we purchased the machine,
we were looking to improve the
competitiveness and productivity of
our business - the portion cutter has
definitely helped us do this,” says Le
Venec.
Marel’s portion cutters are extremely
accurate and reliable and are
designed to give immediate results
on the bottom line. They are
the ideal solution for high-value
portioning of whitefish into fixed
weight and shapes.
With user friendly software and
flexible functions, it’s easy to move
from inaccurate cutting by hand to
accurate portions, on weight every
time.
“We were looking
to improve the
competitiveness and
productivity of our
business – the portion
cutter has definitely
helped us do this.”
Alan Le Venec, owner
–
FI S H
PR OCES S ING
The portion cutter is not only a time
saver that results in less waste, better
productivity and a smaller margin
of error, it also helps to improve
working conditions for employees.
Le Venec explains, “The efficiency
of the portion cutter has created
more time for my employees to
perform a variety of other tasks. It
has also minimized the overtime
necessary for us to keep up with
demand. So they now have normal
working hours with more varied and
interesting tasks.”
LOCAL SUPPORT & RAPID RESPONSE
An important factor for Alan Le
Venec when purchasing a Marel
machine was the convenience of a
sales and service unit in Brittany.
“I appreciate my relationship with
Marel. It’s really convenient to work
with a supplier located in Brittany,”
says Le Venec. “If I have a problem I
can call the Sales Manager or Marel’s
after-sales staff and speak with
their technicians who respond very
quickly - that’s really helpful.”
Marel provides professional service
solutions worldwide, either on-site
or via remote access. We constantly
seek to ensure that equipment
performs at an optimal level and
meets customer needs, each and
every day.
Marel’s global service organization
includes more than 600 service
specialists, located in approximately
30 countries that perform an
average of 1,000 customer service
and maintenance visits each day.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
The portion cutter has allowed
Le Venec SA to become more
competitive, reduce loss and
to provide a better working
environment for their employees.
“The machine is really important for
our business now. It’s allowed us to
adapt and expand. We’ve got hope
for the future because working like
this means we don’t have to put
all our eggs in one basket,” says Le
Venec.
“If I was in need of another machine
- I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one from
Marel today.”
GO TO:
marel.com/portioncutting
PORTION CUTTING
ON A LARGE SCALE
The dual-lane I-Cut 610 PortionCutter is designed specifically to meet the
processing needs of larger companies. It is the ideal solution for cutting
whitefish fillets, salmon fillets, or whole salmon into portions of fixedweight and/or fixed-length.
The new generation processing software provides superior programming
flexibility and an intelligent choice of cutting patterns that ensure the best
use of raw materials. It features intelligent spacing between individual
portions and automatic belt adjustment, which significantly increase
throughput and thereby profitability.
The combination of consistently superior accuracy and optimum raw
material usage results in high-quality products with a maximum return on
investment.
GO TO:
marel.com/portioncutting
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PROGRESS POINT EVENTS
Progress Point is a unique training and demo facility designed to
bring experts together to experience the full potential of Marel
equipment and integrated systems in a hands-on environment.
Just 5 minutes from Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport, Progress Point
features 2700m2 of demonstration halls, meeting rooms, a large
auditorium, dining, and entertaining areas.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR
FISH PROCESSORS
Packing, Labeling &
Dispatch Event
18 June 2015
The state-of-the-art demonstration facilities are designed to imitate
real food processing plant conditions, with 900m2 of demo space
that includes wet areas and cooling areas.
Whitefish ShowHow
26 November 2015
Our showhows and other events at Progress Point incorporate live
demonstrations, new product launches, lectures from our own
specialists, and guest speaker presentations.
Salmon ShowHow
February 2016
Global Leader
Marel is the leading global provider of
advanced equipment, systems and services for
the fish, meat, poultry and further processing
industries.
Our brands – Marel, Stork Poultry Processing
and Townsend Further Processing – are among
the most respected in the industry. United in
one company, we offer our customers
the convenience of a single source for products
to meet their every need.
With offices and subsidiaries in over 30
countries and a global network of more than
100 agents and distributors, we work sideby-side with our customers to extend the
boundaries of food processing performance.