Vaki back in hands of original owner
Merger with another fish technology company is planned next
Fish farming technology company Vaki and its operations are being acquired from Merck Animal Health by its original owner, Hermann Kristjánsson.
Vaki plans to merge with Icelandic technology company Ration, which has developed RationFEED, which uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to improve feeding control and reduce feed waste in land-based aquaculture.
The system has been tested at sites in Iceland and Norway and, according to Ration, early users have provided positive feedback on the accuracy and stability of its solutions.
Customer support
“By bringing together Vaki’s proven technologies and decades of aquaculture experience with Ration’s advances in AI, computer vision and automation, we aim to strengthen customer support and accelerate innovation across both product ranges,” Vaki said in a press release. “Members of Ration’s team have also contributed to the development of Vaki technologies in the past.”
The companies aim to build on their existing products, while strengthening service, advice and technical support. Customer experience and feedback will guide product development, with equipment reliability and fish welfare central to that work.
Data and automation will be priorities, particularly as land-based aquaculture expands. The aim is to give fish farmers clearer insight into their operations, support informed decisions and improve day-to-day performance.
Alongside equipment, Vaki intends to offer practical guidance to help customers make effective use of the technology.
New leadership
Gunnar Óli Sölvason will lead Vaki as chief executive, heading a team that combines former Vaki leaders with new colleagues. He brings an engineering background and senior leadership experience in seafood processing technology and operational management, supporting Vaki’s focus on product development and customer service.
Merck Animal Health bought fish counter producer Vaki from water treatment company Pentair in 2019. Mar Advisors acted as the sole financial adviser to Hermann Kristjánsson on his latest acquisition of the company, while Sigurður Valgeir Guðjónsson of Arta lögmenn provided legal counsel on his behalf.