07 Aug 2025

A future strength for fish processors

Diving into the strategic partnership of JBT Marel and Ace Aquatec

Aquaculture is a strong way for processors to improve control over quantity and quality to boost market position. With today’s market shifts in consumer demand for source transparency and product quality, the strategic partnership between JBT Marel and Ace Aquatec ensures processors have the tools to meet these needs sustainably.

JBT Marel And Ace Aquatec Partnership Edit 1X8A7400

A good partnership makes both sides better. And the strategic partnership between JBT Marel and Ace Aquatec does exactly that, by enabling fish processors to optimize the quality of their salmon from harvest to end product, improving animal welfare and supporting sustainable industry practices.

A one-stop shop for quality at every stage

High-quality end products are crucial to attracting the positive brand loyalty that can demand higher prices. At JBT Marel we focus on developing solutions that optimize quality and yield for salmon processors and being a one-stop shop for all salmon processing needs.

A few years ago, we recognized the need to fill a gap in our portfolio, a fish stunning system that could optimize end product quality even further by reducing the stress on salmon during harvesting. We began the search for a stunning system that supported our company values of sustainability and animal welfare.

When we went to see Ace Aquatec’s A-HSU® we knew we’d found the missing piece of the puzzle. A humane stunning system that helps our customers improve efficiency and quality during slaughtering while meeting regulatory requirements and consumer demand for ethically sourced products.

Ace Aquatec felt the same way, and a strategic partnership was born. “In JBT Marel we don’t select partners randomly. We select them because we share values, and we share understanding of the business.” Diego Lages, Director of Sales and Marketing Fish, JBT Marel.

In 2007, Ace Aquatec saw a need for solutions that improved animal welfare at fish farms. They developed the A-HSU®, an in-water stunning solution that offers the highest animal welfare standards. The A-HSU® uses electric fields in the water to render fresh- or salt-water fish insensible within one second. The A-HSU® is calibrated to ensure 100 % of fish entering the system are stunned regardless of size. All working to ensure fish are calm when harvested. The system results in multiple benefits improving quality by reduced bruising, blood spots, gaping etc., that leads to better coloration and increased rigor times. When fish move into secondary processing, this translates to longer shelf lives and higher quality end products.

“Farmers spend two years being the best stewards to their fish, but it can come undone in minutes. By focusing on fish welfare during harvest, farmers can not only achieve lower stress, but they can also achieve greater profitability,” Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Ace Aquatec said on the why the A-HSU® is such a game changer for the industry.

Farmers spend two years being the best stewards to their fish, but it can come undone in minutes. By focusing on fish welfare during harvest, farmers can not only achieve lower stress, but they can also achieve greater profitability

Tara McGregor-Woodhams
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Ace Aquatec

Labor challenges a thing of the past

A major challenge in fish processing is attracting and retaining skilled labor. JBT Marel helps address this challenge in processing lines with advanced automation and robotics that optimize yields and reduce reliance on operators. The 100 % stun rate of Ace Aquatic’s A-HSU® makes handling fish as they exit the stunner easier, increasing harvest rates and efficiency so processors can operate with fewer operators. A stunning system which optimizes animal welfare, also provides operators with a safer, calmer production line, ensuring fewer physical injuries and better psychological health, to improve staff retention in slaughter lines.

Like JBT Marel, Ace Aquatec believes customers benefit from finding all solutions in one place to simplify installation, integration, and ongoing operations. “We want to offer customers a way to improve fish welfare at all the touchpoints. We can do that from the harvesting side, and we know JBT Marel can do that from the processing side. It’s a perfect combination,” said McGregor-Woodhams.

A strong, sustainable future

A good partnership keeps growing and giving, and that is exactly where JBT Marel and Ace Aquatic are heading. Working together to offer even more solutions to ensure our customers keep growing sustainably into the future.

“We’ve been big fans of JBT Marel for a number of years. The way the JBT Marel team present themselves and the values of the company, on animal welfare and sustainability, makes this a really good fit,” said Tara McGregor-Woodhams, “It’s lovely to collaborate with a partner who has a shared value system, to generate a really good relationship and a good positive way of working.” At JBT Marel, we couldn’t agree more.

Get in touch

Our dedicated team is here to help and answer any questions you may have. Please complete the form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.

First name

Last name

Phone

Company

Specifiy your job title

Country

Message

explanation

You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our privacy policy.