Benchmark Genetics announces the official opening of its new incubation center in Iceland

The international company Benchmark Genetics announced the official opening of its new incubation center in Vogar, Iceland, on the 23rd of August. As they reported, the new center holds 10,000 single incubators and gets fresh and clean water from deep boreholes. “The biosecurity standards are as for the other operations in Iceland at the highest levels of the industry,” they said.

They proudly announced that more than 100 prominent guests will join the members of the Benchmark Genetics for the opening ceremony, followed by lunch and a celebration dinner in the evening.

“We started supplying eggs from the site six months ago, and the feedback from customers having received eggs incubated at the new center is very positive. The center is currently running at high capacity and is producing eggs for the Icelandic market as well as for export to more than 28 countries in the world. Norway is the largest market, with planned sales in the range of 70 million eggs from our Icelandic operations this year,” they explained.

Long established and trusted provider

Founded in 1991, Benchmark Genetics Iceland is a long established and trusted provider of improved genetic material to the salmon farming industry in Europe and Chile.

With operations located in the southwest corner of Iceland, the structure consists of two separate broodstock facilities, an incubation center and a family production unit.

“Their Head Office is located in Hafnarfjordur, next to the capital Reykjavik. In addition to Atlantic salmon, it also holds a facility for lumpfish juveniles, a complementary product used by salmon farmers for sea lice control.”

Until 19th of January 2021, legal name of Benchmark Genetics Iceland was StofnFiskur. After that day, it changed as a step in the single-brand strategy of the Benchmark Holdings plc group.

In that sense, Jonas Jonasson, CEO of Benchmark Genetics Iceland, said: “This move is a part of Benchmark’s strategy in building a strong unified brand across companies and business areas. Maintaining the StofnFiskur brand for the genetic strain we are producing in Iceland is important as we know it holds significant value to our customers.”

NCE Seafood Trainee joining marketing team

Some days before the announcement of the official open in Iceland, the company welcomed Ruben Helmersen Johansen as their first NCE Seafood Trainee in Benchmark.

“Helmersen will be working in the marketing hub for salmon, with specific responsibilities of marketing intelligence. Ruben has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Saint Thomas, United States (US) and a other in Aquaculture Management from UIN in Bodø, Norway.”

He joined Benckmark Genetics on the 1st of August, based in the Bergen office. “My goal is to complement the team by providing marketing assistance through research and other tasks. My wish is to be an integral part of Benchmarks daily lives and to be considered an asset you could not do without,” said Helmersen on his first day at work.

New Commercial Lead for its Animal Health business area

Also, Benchmark has appointed Preben Matre as Commercial Lead for its Animal Health business area, focusing on sea lice solutions.

Matre, previously Northern Europe Regional Manager at ACE Aquatec, has been appointed to lead the commercialization of Benchmark’s recently launched sea lice medicine Ectosan Vet and CleanTreat in Northern Europe, with a particular focus on Norway. He will report to Geir Olav Melingen, Commercial Director Salmon in Benchmark.

“The appointment of Matre shows the confidence of Benchmark in the commercialization of Ectosan Vet and CleanTreat in Northern Europe.”

After joining the company on 1st August, Matre said: “I am looking greatly forward to working with the Benchmark team to develop innovative solutions that can play an active role in solving the challenge of sea lice for fish farmers. This is both motivating and meaningful. Having met the team, I am confident that, together, we can play an important role in helping the industry manage the dual challenge of improving animal welfare and increasing efficiency.”

Preben Matre’s background covers sales and product management within the seafood industry. Matre previously worked for Ace Aquatec and Aquabyte, two companies broadly recognized for being at the forefront of developing and commercializing new technology and products for the aquaculture sector.

Welcoming Matre to the team, Geir Olav Melingen, Commercial Director Salmon at Benchmark, said: “I am thrilled to have Preben joining our team. The skills and experience he brings from previous roles in innovative technology providers is a perfect fit at Benchmark. Preben’s appointment demonstrates our intention to further strengthen our position as a leader in sustainable aquaculture solutions for the Atlantic Salmon sector. Preben will be joining our newly restructured commercial team working to support salmon farmers with both health and genetic solutions.”

Leading aquaculture biotechnology company

Benchmark is a leading aquaculture biotechnology company. They deliver products and solutions in Genetics, Advanced Nutrition and Health to help aquaculture producers improve their yield, quality and animal welfare.

“We promote an environment throughout all of our global locations, in which our people are engaged; where they can continually develop; feel motivated; feel part of the One Benchmark team and contribute their time and talents to help us to reach our goals,” they say.