Kópavogur, Iceland-based Valka, a provider of fish-processing solutions, has hired Magnus Johannsson as its service manager for Norway and Russia.
Johannsson was formerly a technical manager at Grieg Seafood in Alta, Norway, and prior to that a service manager at Akranes, Iceland-headquartered Skaginn 3X.
“He will play a leading role in meeting the company's growth goals as well as building on the firm's excellent reputation for service and delivery to clients and is located at new Valka facilities in Alta, Norway,” the company said in a press release.
Valka designs and builds technology and automation systems for use in the processing for groundfish and salmon. In 2011 Valka introduced a the first fully automated pin-bone and portion-cutting line, which uses water-jet robots to accurately portion the fillet and incorporates X-ray technology for locating fish bones.
Valka rival Skaginn 3X has announced two recent hires – Baldvin Johnsen as the company’s new chief financial officer and Alda Hlín Karlsdóttir as sales and marketing manager.
Baldvin formerly worked as managing director of Norway-based FrigoCare, a subsidiary of Icelandic shipping firm Samskip. Previously, Johnsen was in charge of FrigoCare’s finance operations.
“Skaginn 3X is among the most innovative companies in Iceland and a global leader in its sector. The company has grown rapidly in recent years and I look forward to working towards continued growth and shaping the company's strategies in cooperation with its talented employees,” Baldvin said.
Karlsdóttir joined Skaginn 3X in 2018 and in her new position, will manage the sales and marketing team “in close cooperation” with company founder and managing director Ingólfur Árnason. Prior to joining Skaginn 3X, Alda worked as director of operations Icelandic Group.
"I look forward to taking on this new role within the company,” Karlsdóttir said. “We currently have several projects lined up in all of the company's key markets and I welcome the challenge and the responsibilities that this role entails.”
Skaginn’s former head of sales and marketing, Jón Birgir Gunnarsson, left the company to take the position of CEO of Icelandic-based window-maker Gluggasmiðjan.
"I feel it is time for someone new to take over and continue to build on the excellent results that have been achieved. This is also the right time for me to face new challenges,” Gunnarsson said.
Photo courtesy of Valka/Ágústa Kristín Bjarnadóttir
