Mowi completes major upgrade at Blar Mhor processing facility.
Mowi has completed a major transformation of its Blar Mhor salmon processing facility in Fort William, significantly expanding capacity and introducing new automation and grading systems as the site prepares for record processing volumes in the months ahead.
The company expects the site to handle a peak of up to 10,000 tonnes of salmon during its busiest periods, following a complex upgrade that added 5,000 square metres of floor space and integrated new equipment across both new and existing factory areas.
“This was a complex and ambitious project,” said Scott Nolan, Mowi’s Sales and Processing Director. “We constructed around the old facility while refurbishing the original building, and managed to limit downtime to just two weeks.”
The project was led by Northern Light, which oversaw design and coordination between equipment suppliers and contractors. Main building contractors included TSL and The HF Group.
New equipment includes six Baader 144 gutting machines with AI-assisted camera grading, three Baader 142 machines, and a dedicated hand line. Two Marel graders, each capable of processing up to 120 fish per minute, are supported by two bulk bin graders for returnable packaging. Automation extends across the entire packing process, with the Samey robotic system now handling over 90 percent of boxes produced.
Upgrades also include new hygiene systems supplied by Aquatiq, as well as improvements to logistics and palletisation. Chilled pallets are transported to customers by DFDS.
The facility achieved BRC AA+ accreditation with no non-conformances within four months of the upgrade.
Mowi said the decision to retain primary processing at Fort William was due in large part to the expertise of its local workforce. The company continues to ramp up production and expects further operational efficiencies in the coming months.
