In its first full year, the new feed mill operated by Mowi Scotland has overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit to help the overall enterprise be completely self-sufficient with regards to its European feed requirements, the Bergen, Norway-headquartered Atlantic salmon farming company has confirmed.
Based at Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye, the GBP 100 million (USD 138.3 million, EUR 116.8 million) feed mill started production in spring 2019, and after successfully completing the commissioning phase, it moved into full production later that year.
With a capacity of 240,000 metric tons (MT) of pellets a year, the Kyleakin plant produces the full range of feeds required by Mowi’s freshwater, seawater, and organic farms in Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands, and will also deliver sea-water and fresh-water feeds to its Norwegian operations.
According to Mowi, the team at the feed mill – under the leadership of feed operations director, Claes Jonermark – was able to adapt work patterns to meet with U.K. government requirements relating to COVID-19 and ensure that enough feed was produced to mitigate against any potential disruption posed by Brexit.
The construction and set up of Kyleakin was supported by Mowi’s sister mill in Valsneset, Norway. This collaboration also included training, applying for permits, meeting Scottish politicians, and hosting political delegations from Scotland.
The learnings from Valsneset also led to the production of feeds that are of a consistently higher physical quality, while also improving operational effectiveness and reducing waste, Mowi said.
“What a year it has been! We have had challenges and successes, but the constant has always been a great team at both our sites, in Kyleakin and at Valsneset. I firmly believe that we embody the notion of One Feed, One Mowi. I am extremely proud of this and I know it will stand us in good stead for challenging times ahead as we continue to face global uncertainty caused by the far-reaching impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” Jonermark said.
Going forward, Mowi’s feed operations will grow in line with its farming operations in order to stay self-sufficient, and the Mowi Feed segment will continue to focus on operational improvements and cost optimization, the company said.
Mowi Scotland also recently made changes to its processing management to support plans for increased salmon processing capacity at its Blar Mhor facility in Fort William.
Scott Nolan has been promoted to processing director in order to lead the redevelopment of the company’s Blar Mhor salmon processing site, and to build capacity to more than 80,000 MT. Meanwhile, Ewan MacColl has taken up Nolan’s role as logistics director to focus on ensuring further improvements to the company’s logistics and supply chain as the business looks to increase volume and tackle challenges related to Brexit.
Utilizing robotic technologies for handling and grading salmon, the Blar Mhor expansion project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.
