UK-based Benchmark has opened a new state-of-the-art egg production unit in Sørfold in Norway, focused on quality as well as quantity.
The new production unit opened its doors to national dignitaries, local families and international delegates. Once at capacity the facility will be able to produce at least 150 million salmon eggs per year.
Addressing the 250 attendees, Malcolm Pye, chief executive of Benchmark, said that the project was very special and important. “We are putting together something that is vital for the future. This is at the forefront of the salmon industry’s development,” he said.
Mr Pye stressed that quality, not just quantity, would be the defining feature of the facility’s production. “Disease is one of the critical elements in every kind of aquaculture and here we have a facility that gives us the ultimate in biosecurity and production capability for the very first critical stage of producing eggs that are going to grow, thrive and produce the quality product that we all believe in so much,” he said.
Johan Andresen, the owner of Norwegian holding company, Ferd, one of Benchmark’s largest investors, said, “This facility is one of many, but it’s also exceptional. What makes it exceptional is not necessarily all pipes and all the equipment, although that’s world-class. What makes it exceptional is the people who thought of the idea, who built it, who are going to run it, going to sell the product, and make sure that this is and will be the world’s best facility of its kind.”
