Norwegian company Moltech Norge AS supplies complete equipment solutions for the European fishing fleet and can look back at almost 30 years of experience in the installation and service of a wide range of equipment, ranging from radars to long range sonars.
Since the start of the company in 1979, it has gained reference from more than 100 newbuildings. Moltech represents Japanese fish finding solution manufacturer Kaijo Sonic Corp. in Europe, and is also associated with brands such as Sodena, JMC and Cflow.
John Molnes, director and founder of the company, tells World Fishing that they are trying not to get too nostalgic about the 30 year jubilee and, as a step to strengthen the organisation for the future, the company has employed Mr Molnes’ son, Rune Werner Molnes who will eventually manage sales and finance. Mr Molnes also says that Moltech will be attending the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition (organised by World Fishing) in October this year.
Over the last two years the company has sold approximately 75 Kaijo sonar’s, 25 Kaijo KSE-100 split beam sounders and 20 Kaijo DCG-200 current meters. Despite increasing competition, and diminishing returns in parts of the fishing industry, this year looks to become another good year for Moltech Norge. The company has delivered 4 high frequency KCH-2180 sonar’s to a Greek fishing company, and has just received orders for 5 Kaijo sonar’s to Holland. Currently Moltech installing one KCH-2180, the new low frequency KCS3220Z and a DCG-200 current meter in connection with the Scottish newbuilding "Lunar Bow", with Simek AS in Norway.
Moltech has recently seen a lot of interest from customers with regards to the new Kaijo KSE-100 fish sizing echo sounder. Mr Molnes says that the company has sold this echo sounder to 70% of Norwegian factory trawlers.
In addition to the brands mentioned above, Moltech will also be presenting the Cflow Fusion system at Nor-Fishing. Fusion is a marine vessel fuel accountability and management system. The system is all about fuel efficiency, and highly relevant in today’s market with ever higher fuel bunker prices. Installing a Fusion system is said to typically reduce fuel consumption by somewhere between 7-12%, depending on ship and engine type, so with today’s fuel prices the system quickly pays for itself. The Cflow Fusion system distinguishes itself from other similar systems by its high precision consumption metering, fail-safe reliability and software communication option for detailed consumption reporting to fleet management.
