Iceland-based processing technology developer Valka has added strategic new hires to its sales and process development departments this month, according to a 4 March company announcement.
Jon Birgir Gunnarsson – who has worked for a number of Icelandic technology firms including Marel, Controlant, and Skaginn 3X – has been appointed as Valka’s director of sales. Valka decided to change and expand its sales and marketing setup in response to “continued growth with increased global reach,” and a need for in-depth processing knowledge, it explained in a press release. The company looks forward to consulting with Gunnarsson’s growth and globalization expertise moving forward.
As the need for in-depth processing know-how and engineering input increases, with many seafood companies opting not to have large engineering departments, Valka has created a new position: process development manager. Kristjan Hallvardsson will take over the role, which is expected to help Valka accelerate the development of processing concepts through collaborating with third parties, the company said. Hallvardsson has worked with Valka in hands-on and management capacities, and has career experience leading international R&D projects in earlier roles.
Valka noted that its CEO, Helgi Hjalmarsson, “will continue his involvement in customer interactions,” as it is important “to keep the customer intimacy ties strong” and promote continued growth. On 27 February, Hjalmarsson was awarded Iceland’s Entrepreneur Manager of the Year award for 2020 by the President of Iceland on behalf of Excellence Iceland.
Photo courtesy of Valka
