Steinsvik scales up in merger
Aquaculture feed barge, cage and technology supplier Steinsvik has announced a merger with two other Norwegian companies – Aqualine and AquaOptima – to form ScaleAQ.
In a press release, ScaleAQ’s acting chief executive, Geir Myklebust, said the three companies have been working closely together the past two years and complement each other well.
“Together they have 40 years of continuous experience from different areas of the aquaculture industry, and a strong maritime understanding,” said Myklebust.
Local presence
“ScaleAQ will have unique product portfolio and skill set with a local presence in 11 countries. We will be offering everything from well-known standalone products to turn-key projects in addition to consulting and engineering services.
“A separate division for innovation called ScaleAQ innovation will strengthen the commitment to innovation and development within the four business areas, Seabased, Landbased, Digital and Service. We will further develop the position that the companies’ Aqualine, AquaOptima and Steinsvik have as specialists in our various business areas.”
Aqualine is also a cage maker, producing the Midgard system which the company claims is escape-proof. Grieg NL has specified the cages for the 11 salmon farms it is establishing in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, where it plans to produce 33,000 tonnes of fish annually. Aqualine has bases in six Norwegian locations plus one each in Canada and Australia.
Turnkey RAS plants
AquaOptima designs and delivers turnkey RAS plants, and was recently chosen to supply Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) with RAS technology for its first smolt plant, at Dåfjord in Troms.
Norwegian-headquartered Steinsvik has a UK office in Fort William, and also has bases in Chile, western Canada, Tasmania, Vietnam, Spain and Turkey.
Myklebust said Aqualine, AquaOptima and Steinsvik will continue to exist as separate companies for a period.
“We plan to allow us the time to ensure that the merger results in an optimal organisation that serves our customer in the best way possible,” he said.
Full range of disciplines
Steinsvik’s UK general manager, Innes Weir, becomes ScaleAQ’s UK and Ireland regional manager.
In a statement on SaleAQ’s website, he says: “ScaleAQ brings to the UK and Ireland the very latest global aquaculture technology across the full range of disciplines currently in use through an integrated package.
“This technical consolidation further underpins our commitment to local area development and solutions for the industry here whilst focusing on our core values of advice, service and support.”
The merger means ScaleAQ will have 27 offices in 11 countries, customers in 40 countries and 900 employees.
