Finnish family company Kalaneuvos invests in the fish market in Finland
Kalaneuvos will carry out a substantial one-million-euro investment in machinery and processes in 2023.
The investment covers smoking, slicing, and product packaging improvements and the launch of new processes in 2023.
“The change involves machines, equipment and space arrangements that make processes faster and more efficient. The investment could even double the current capacity. Plank-grilling for “flamed fish”will be the first processes to be completed at the factory in August,” says Pekka Lahtinen, Chief Operating Officer of Kalaneuvos.
The plank-grilling process is a completely new operation for the company. At the same time, the company is developing its ovens’ smoking technology and further improving consistency. More streamlined operations will also further increase the quality level.
“All in all, the Sastamala factory is the most technologically advanced fish processing plant in Finland. This investment will also enable and improve our export opportunities,” says Lahtinen.
Consumer’s needs have changed, and they are seeking smaller food packaging and further processed products.
“In the future, we will offer consumers a wider range of new products, including various fish shreds in marinade.”
In 2019, the Kalaneuvos factory in Sastamala was expanded by 11,000 square metres, making Kalaneuvos the largest producer of smoked fish in the Nordic countries. The value of this major investment was 28 million euros.
“We currently process significant quantities of fish, about 5 million kilos per year, of which 3 million are rainbow trout, which have a small carbon footprint,” says Lahtinen.”
Employees have a positive attitude to the million-euro investment. In terms of jobs, the new investment means an increase of up to 10 new employees.
Demand for fish continues to grow, even though the market situation is challenging due to higher raw material prices.
“We strongly believe in the fish industry, which is why we have the confidence to invest heavily in it and develop our operations in Finland. At the same time, we want to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. In particular, sea-farmed rainbow trout is an excellent and ecological way to promote environmentally responsible consumption,” says Hans-Mikael Helenius, Managing Director of Kalaneuvos.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
CEO Hans-Mikael Helenius, Kalaneuvos Oy and Nordic Trout Ab
Tel. +358 50 5237 297 hans-mikael.helenius@kalaneuvos.fi
CEO Toni Hukkanen, Nordic Fish Oy
Tel. +358 50 0900 378, toni.hukkanen@kalaneuvos.fi
Nordic Fish is a Finnish family-owned company that includes the fish farming group Nordic Trout and the fish processing group Kalaneuvos. The fish farming business produces approximately 9 million kilos of rainbow trout annually in 30 locations in mainland Finland, Åland Islands and Sweden and is one of the EU’s leading producers of rainbow trout roe. The fish processing business under Kalaneuvos produces delicious fish products in Sastamala, Turku and Kaskinen and processes more than 15 million kilos of fish annually. Professionally prepared products, farmed and wild fish from clean Finnish waters, and the best imported raw materials guarantee premium quality and superior taste. The turnover estimate for the entire Nordic Fish Group for 2023 is EUR 140 million.