Marel hf., headquartered in Garðabær, Iceland, is a global leader in advanced food processing systems and software solutions, serving the poultry, meat, fish, and alternative protein industries. With over 7,000 employees in more than 30 countries, Marel is a technology powerhouse driving automation, digital transformation, and efficiency across the global food supply chain.
Core Business
Marel designs, manufactures, and integrates complete processing systems and equipment for food production companies worldwide. From primary processing to packaging and traceability, Marel delivers full-line, automated, and intelligent solutions tailored to each segment—poultry, meat, fish, and plant-based proteins.
Product and Service Offerings
-
Poultry Processing:
- Primary Processing Systems: Stunning, killing, scalding, plucking
- Secondary Processing: Deboning, portioning, marinating
- Further Processing: Coating, frying, cooling, packaging
-
Meat Processing:
- Slaughtering and evisceration
- Deboning and trimming systems
- High-speed slicing, batching, and tray loading solutions
-
Fish Processing:
- Filleting, skinning, and scaling
- Grading, batching, and bone detection
- Salmon, whitefish, and pelagic-specific technologies
-
Software Solutions:
- Innova Food Processing Software: Real-time data, production control, yield tracking
- Integrated traceability and compliance
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven optimization
-
Alternative Proteins:
- Equipment for plant-based and hybrid meat production
- Pet food and aqua feed production technologies
Marel also provides post-sales services including remote diagnostics, spare parts, technical support, and machine upgrades.
Specialisation and Core USP
Marel is unique in offering fully integrated, end-to-end food processing lines supported by intelligent software. Its USPs include:
- High throughput automation systems capable of processing 15,000 birds per hour
- Up to 5% yield improvement through real-time feedback loops and precision cutting
- Robotics-enabled portioning and tray-loading with 95%+ accuracy
- Innova Software Platform that connects machines, lines, and facilities for total production transparency
Marel owns world-class brands such as Stork, Townsend, MAJA, and TREIF, broadening its portfolio across deboning, slicing, skinning, and weighing.
Financials
As a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Iceland (MAREL), Marel’s 2023 financials reflect:
- Revenues: EUR 1.7 billion
- EBIT: EUR 125 million
- R&D Spend: 5.6% of revenue (~EUR 95 million)
Marel’s robust financial performance is driven by:
- Diversified geographic revenue (Europe 38%, Americas 35%, Asia/Pacific 20%, others 7%)
- Recurring revenues from software and spare parts
- Consistent EBITDA margin in the 10–15% range
Shipments and Export Records
Marel has equipment installed in over 140 countries, with thousands of system deliveries per year. Shipment data shows:
- Processing lines valued at EUR 250,000 to EUR 10 million depending on scale and application
- Export volume constituting over 95% of its sales
- Regular shipments to global food giants, including Tyson Foods, BRF, and Mowi
Target Market
Marel serves medium to large-scale food producers in:
- Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and duck processors
- Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, and hybrid plants
- Fish: Salmon, cod, mackerel, whitefish, and seafood
- Plant-based protein startups and multinationals
- Co-packers and retailers with value-added offerings
Its customer base ranges from startups to top 10 global meat and poultry corporations.
Capabilities
- 30+ global service centers and training academies
- Manufacturing facilities in Iceland, the Netherlands, USA, Brazil, and Slovakia
- Global R&D hubs with focus areas in robotics, vision systems, and software
- Multi-lingual software and machine interfaces
- 24/7 remote technical support and predictive maintenance
Marel's project delivery model covers feasibility, design, manufacturing, installation, training, and lifecycle support.
Certifications and Compliance Records
- ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management)
- ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management)
- CE, FDA, and USDA compliance for food-grade equipment
- Fully traceable solutions with support for global food safety standards
- Cyber-secure software architecture meeting ISO/IEC 27001 compliance
Customer Testimonials
Global processors commend Marel for:
- “Seamless integration of robotics and software with 20% efficiency gains”
- “End-to-end processing with full traceability and compliance”
- “Exceptional service support and training post-installation”
Public case studies include clients such as BRF, Bell Food Group, and Cooke Aquaculture.
Major Achievements
- Over 2,000 patents filed across mechanical, electrical, and software innovation
- Acquisition of TREIF and MAJA to strengthen portioning and skinning capabilities
- Strategic partnerships with Givaudan and Proveg Incubator for plant-based innovation
- Recognized as one of the Top 5 Global FoodTech Companies by Rabobank
- Participation in major industry exhibitions:
- IPPE (USA)
- Anuga FoodTec (Germany)
- VIV Asia
- Seafood Expo Global
Marel continues to transform the future of food processing through innovation, sustainability, and integrated intelligence.
