MMC First Process sells fully automated pelagic factory to Gallagher Bros

Fosnavåg, Norway-based seafood-processing, -handling, and -cooling equipment provider MMC First Process has signed a contract to deliver a fully automated pelagic factory system to Killybegs, Ireland-based Gallagher Bros.

Gallagher Bros. was established in 1919 and remains family owned and operated. Over the years, has expanded upon its core business of processing and diversified into fishing and aquaculture. Today, it sells a range of seafood products including frozen pelagics, marinated herring, and organic Atlantic salmon.

“Gallagher Bros Ltd is a customer we know well through our long-term presence in Killybegs. It therefore gives us great pleasure to be selected as the supplier, as they invest in a new, fully automated factory for the future,” MMC First Process Sales Manager Per Arild Aamelfot said in a press release.

MMC First Process Processing Sales Manager Stig Morten Skaar said his firm worked closely with Gallagher Bros to design a custom solution.

“The factory has efficient processing and capacity, which is adapted to the new ‘box freezer’ that will also be installed as part of the new plant. It has been important to achieve extensive automation, right from reception to the final product stacked on pallets. The factory that MMC First Process will be delivering consists of fish reception, automatic weighing-in, sorting, and distribution to both packing lines and filleting machines,” Skaar said.  “It must be possible to process and pack the various products simultaneously. The solution being provided by MMC First Process is flexible and will enable the customer to tailor production to market demands and needs.”

The new machinery will be installed in existing buildings that are currently being upgraded to make room for the new processing machinery, Skaar said.

“We started early in the work process by 3D scanning and documenting the existing factory. This enabled us to obtain a full understanding of the existing methodology. It meant that we had a good basis for modeling and testing various options in 3D, so that we could develop an optimal solution in consultation with the customer,” Skaar said.

Gallagher Bros Director David Gallagher said he was swayed to invest in MMC machinery after seeing it installed and operating in other industry sites.

“Colleagues within the industry spoke very highly of MMC First Process and from our early engagement with them, it was clear why,” Gallagher said. “The team at MMC First Process have a high level of understanding of the seafood industry and could take us through the design of our new plant effortlessly. Their knowledge and experience played a key role in the development of our processing facility and we have full confidence the project will yield increasing efficiencies.”

Photo courtesy of MMC First Process