News

In December and January, Slippurinn Akureyri ehf. completed the installation of new equipment from the DNG Processing Equipment product line for two customers—one for liver processing at Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör in Súðavík and the other for Arctic char processing at Samherji Fish Farming in Sandgerði. Óli Björn Ólafsson, project manager at Slippurinn Akureyri's Hafnarfjörður branch, stated that the projects went very well and reflected the company's extensive expertise in the design, production, and installation of processing equipment. Specialized Equipment for Liver Processing at HG Canned cod liver production has been operating in Súðavík for about 20 years, following a previous shrimp processing facility at the same site. Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör runs the liver canning operation, and DNG Processing Equipment designed, manufactured, and installed a specialized heating bath, filter drum, heat exchangers, and temperature control system—one of the key factors in liver processing of this kind. "This project is an example of the specialized equipment in our diverse product line. We take on various projects in processing equipment manufacturing, whether for groundfish, farmed fish, shrimp, or more specialized processing such as roe and liver," said Óli Björn. The installation of the equipment in Súðavík was completed in January. "We are very proud of this project in Súðavík and thank Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör for the trust they placed in us." New Trimming Line for Arctic Char Processing at Samherji Fish Farming Another specialized processing project was the installation of a new trimming line from DNG Processing Equipment at Samherji Fish Farming's Arctic char processing facility in Sandgerði, which was completed in December. This is the fourth trimming line in the facility, with the previous ones manufactured by Martak in Grindavík, the predecessor of Slippurinn Akureyri's current Hafnarfjörður branch. Óli Björn explained that the goal of this new line is to accommodate an increase in production at the facility, reaching 1,000-1,200 tons per year, while annual production has been around 3,000 tons in recent years. As is well known, Samherji Fish Farming's Arctic char processing facility in Sandgerði is one of the most advanced in the world, producing both fresh Arctic char products and individually quick-frozen vacuum-packed products. "We are very pleased with the results of the new trimming line in Sandgerði. Integrating new equipment into an existing processing facility is always a challenge, and it is crucial to use the available space efficiently. The Arctic char processing plant in Sandgerði is a high-tech facility, and with this new equipment, it is now even better equipped," said Óli Björn.

Through this partnership, Slippurinn Akureyri and Optimar will work closely to facilitate service and retrofits of vessels. Additionally, they will leverage each other’s expertise to offer a broader range of products and solutions tailored to the seafood industry. – By teaming up, we strengthen our service network and gain direct access to state-of-the-art competence, says Páll Kristjánsson, CEO of Slippurinn Akureyri, and Siggi Olason, CEO of Optimar. Reinforcing their vision and commitment This strategic partnership enables Optimar and Slippurinn Akureyri to provide more comprehensive solutions. It reinforces their vision and commitment to developing and designing high-tech processing equipment and facilitates cross-border production. – Together, we offer a seamless combination of services and products, ensuring that our customers receive the best possible support, says Olason. Slippurinn Akureyri shares this enthusiasm and looks forward to seeing the results of combining expertise and experience to build a stronger, more competitive entity. – Optimar is a recognized innovator in the seafood industry, and we are excited to work even more closely together to solve our customer’s challenges, says Kristjánsson

“We are proud of the growth we have experienced in recent years and the continued expansion we foresee in the coming months in the production of fish processing equipment. Our order book is strong for 2025, and we are working full force on exciting projects for 2026,” says Magnús Blöndal, Division Manager of DNG Processing Equipment at Slippurinn Akureyri ehf. “We have always been strong in processing equipment for vessels, but in recent years, we have also made significant strides in providing solutions for land-based processing, with great success,” Magnús adds. Strong Focus on Development “Increased focus and investment in development have yielded great results. We have extensive knowledge and experience in raw material handling and are working on diverse and challenging projects for our customers.” The scale of projects varies. In some cases, they involve large and complex processing systems that require extensive planning and preparation. However, Magnús notes that the company is also approached with projects that need to be solved for customers in a short timeframe. This diversity makes the work highly varied. Among the systems that DNG Processing Equipment has developed in recent years, Magnús highlights automated hold systems, bleeding systems for fishing vessels, and raw material sorting solutions, not to mention the Promas production system—a software solution for DNG processing systems, both on land and at sea. Increasing Revenue from International Projects Magnús notes that revenue from DNG Processing Equipment’s international projects is growing, covering solutions for both land-based and marine applications. “In many cases, we manufacture the equipment here in Iceland and then travel abroad for installation and commissioning,” says Magnús. He also emphasizes the strong competition in this sector. “Yes, competition is fierce—both domestically and internationally, as we compete with foreign companies in this field. Competition is a good thing; it’s not just about price but also about solutions, expertise, and service. With the experience and knowledge we have built, we are in a very strong competitive position,” says Magnús Blöndal.

Slippurinn DNG, Glerártorg, and the Eyjafjörður Welfare Fund have joined forces for the Welfare Star project. All proceeds from the sale of the Welfare Star go directly to the Welfare Fund, supporting important community initiatives.

Árni, who celebrated his 65th birthday on November 16th, has dedicated his entire career to Slippurinn. He has been an invaluable employee, and his family also shares deep ties with the company. Árni's father worked here for many years, and his in-laws and other relatives have followed in his footsteps by working at Slippurinn. Árni began his career as a laborer at Slippurinn in 1974, trained as a ship carpenter, and became the foreman of the laborers in 1994 – a role he has performed with dedication and passion for 30 years. Árni's enthusiasm for ship docking and launching is well known. Who doesn’t remember him in his big boots and yellow helmet – always ready to take on the next challenge with his unique approach! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Árni for his invaluable contributions to Slippurinn and wish him all the best for the future. 🎈 Thank you for everything, Árni! 🙌

Today, we had the pleasure of hosting a great group of students from the Fisheries Science program at the University of Akureyri! We started the day with coffee and kleinur, followed by a presentation on the company’s operations and a site tour of the workplace. Fisheries Science at the University of Akureyri is an interdisciplinary program that has been taught since 1990, and many of its graduates have achieved significant success in the field, both domestically and internationally. It was truly a delight to welcome this group and witness their passion and enthusiasm – the future looks incredibly bright with such talented individuals entering the industry!