MOWI SCOTLAND GETS GREENLIGHT TO EXPAND PROCESSING FACILITY

Mowi Scotland gets greenlight to expand processing facility. Planning permission has been granted by The Highland Council for the upgrade of Mowi Scotland’s processing facility at Blar Mhor in Fort William which will transform it into one of the most efficient and highest capacity fish processing facilities in the world.

With contracts signed with Marel for infeed to gutting lines, graders and packing lines and Samey for robotic solution for final product box stacking and the tender process for building works due to start shortly, it is all systems to go with the planned upgrade at Blar Mhor.

Scott Nolan, Processing Director, is excited that the project is underway and very optimistic about the future:

“Mowi is investing around £15 million in the upgrade of this facility, securing the long-term future of the plant here in Fort William and incorporating market-leading innovation and technology that will put us at the forefront of salmon processing. We will have the capability to pack 200 fish a minute which is phenomenal!”

Staff are very much at the heart of this upgrade. Firstly, a lot of the technology used in the upgrade, such as automation, will make a lot of the manual more difficult jobs like heavy lifting, much easier. In future, over 80% of the boxes will be robotically lifted. Secondly, before construction begins, management is keen to get staff feedback on how staff facilities can be improved.

Scott continues:

“We will be presenting staff with a 3D fly through of the vision for the Blar later this month. That will be a key opportunity for us to get input into the plans and how we can improve their working environment such as break out areas and refreshment facilities.”

It is hoped that the new build, an extension of 700 m² featuring a two-storey extension of 45m by 15m will be completed in Q2 next year.

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