Norðlenska ehf. meat processor in Iceland installs a new Marel meat processing line:
Norðlenska ehf. meat processor in Iceland installs a new Marel meat processing line
On Wednesday, June 11th, Icelandic Minister of Industry Valgerður Sverrisdóttir opened a new meat processing line at Nordlenska hf in Iceland. Designed for pork and beef deboning and trimming the new processing line is the first of its kind in the world. The new line is the product of extensive collaboration between Marel and Nordlenska and marks a revolution in meat processing in Iceland.
Nordlenska and Marel signed a contract in early 2002 on the development and installation of two deboning lines for Nordlenska’s plants in Iceland, one lamb processing line and another for beef and pork. The new line at Norlenska takes the Marel flowline concept further than before as it is designed to incorporate the processing of different species.
The deboning and trimming line for lamb was installed at the plant in Húsavík in August 2002 and has been operated with great success. The company has seen a substantial increase in productivity and yield as well as improvement in overall working conditions and ergonomics for its employees.
The main goals for installing the new lines have been met and include the following:
- To guarantee high quality products
- To improve ergonomics and work conditions
- To increase yield
- To improve product utilisation
- To guarantee product traceability from breeder to buyer
For the last years Marel has worked towards integrating new technology into the meat industry with its flowline technology, a concept that has been operating in the poultry and fish industry for almost a decade. Marel installed the first meat deboning and trimming line at Block House Fleischerei in Hamburg Germany three years ago and since then similar lines have been installed in Norway, Australia and the USA.
Successful Co-operation
“The meat processing lines we have been developing for Nordlenska are based on the tried and tested Marel flowline technology,” says Kristinn Á. Kristinson, meat-processing consultant at Marel. “The basic concept is the same but we have taken extra steps with software development for this line which give the company an added advantage. Each product goes through a special quality control station ensuring maximum quality for all products from the plant. The project has gone very well and we are very happy with the outcome. The new flowline is a product that will be ideal for small and medium sized businesses that are processing pork, beef and other species. According to an agreement with Norðlenska we will be able to demonstrate the plant and how it has benefited Norðlenska to our customers.”
Revolution in Meat Processing
“In my opinion the new flowline from Marel marks a revolution in meat processing in Iceland and I am very pleased with the fact the Norðlenska has acted as a pioneer in this regard, “ says Sigmundur E. Ófeigsson, director of Norðlenska’s meat division.” Many say that the installation of the new deboning and trimming lines has taken the Icelandic meat industry years ahead. Under the current conditions it was necessary to increase the use of high-technology in the meat industry as it need to go through the same transformation as the fishing industry did in the last decade. It is my opinion that the Icelandic fish industry maintained its competitiveness on the global market by increased automation and incorporation of technology. The meat industry needs to adopt the same measures if it is to grow and expand.”
Two operators handle the initial deboning on the new system and move the carcasses onto the line. From there, seven deboners process the meat and two to three employees take care of the packing. Less processing time ensures freshness and high quality product. “The deboning line radically changes the working environment at the plant, especially when it comes to meat transportation. Conveyors bring meat quarters to the deboners and take the finished products on to trimming,” says Ófeigsson. “Heavy carrying is a thing of the past and that issue alone will help us with staffing as these jobs have been difficult to fill. With the technological revolution that has taken place at our plants this will now change.”
Software information
Specifically designed for food processing systems, Marel’s Windows-based MPS software collects data and monitors the entire production process, including individual and overall throughput, yield, capacity and quality as direct accessible data. The Marel MPS is connected to Norðlenska’s Concorde business solution systems enabling the company to integrate information from the processing lines directly into their business system.
Traceability