Product Offerings
Products:
ShrimpWorks®: An all-in-one shrimp processing system integrating heading, pull deveining, peeling, leg removal, EZ-Peel, and sorting into a single, compact touchpoint.
Nova-Tech Engineering, based in Willmar, Minnesota, is a leader in precision automation solutions for the global food processing industry. Through its innovative division ShrimpWorks®, the company brings cutting-edge engineering to the world of seafood processing, delivering a highly integrated, compact, and efficient shrimp processing system that sets a new benchmark for productivity and quality in the shrimp industry.
Core Business
Nova-Tech Engineering develops automated processing systems designed to streamline and improve efficiency across various industries, with a focus on animal agriculture and seafood processing. With the launch of ShrimpWorks®, the company has strategically expanded into the seafood sector, applying decades of experience in mechanical design, software development, and robotic integration.
Product & Service Offerings
ShrimpWorks®
- An all-in-one shrimp processing system
- Integrates multiple functions into a single touchpoint:
- Heading
- Pull Deveining
- Peeling
- Leg Removal
- EZ-Peel Cuts
- Sorting by Size/Weight
This proprietary solution reduces labor requirements, minimizes product handling, and ensures consistency in shrimp processing lines. The system is tailored for medium to large shrimp processors looking to enhance throughput and yield while maintaining high product quality.
Specialization and USP
ShrimpWorks® stands out through:
- Compact design that reduces plant floor space requirements
- Modular configuration allowing phased integration or standalone use
- Touchpoint automation minimizing manual handling to reduce contamination risks
- Superior consistency and precision through robotics and advanced sensors
- Data-driven operational insights, including real-time processing metrics and output tracking
Developed with the feedback of international shrimp producers, the system is engineered to meet the unique challenges of tropical shrimp processing environments.
Financial Insights
Nova-Tech Engineering is a privately held company with a long-standing presence in automation since its founding in 1992. With over 300 employees and a history of innovation across veterinary, poultry, and food processing sectors, the company’s investments in the ShrimpWorks® division reflect both its financial strength and its strategic focus on industry diversification.
ShrimpWorks® is positioned as a capital investment solution for mid- to high-capacity shrimp processors, targeting companies with daily outputs exceeding several metric tons.
Shipment & Export Records
While ShrimpWorks® is a specialized product, Nova-Tech has a global distribution and technical support model. The company exports equipment to:
- Asia-Pacific, particularly Southeast Asia where shrimp farming is concentrated
- Latin America, with expanding interest from Ecuador and Mexico
- U.S. Gulf States and South Carolina, where domestic processing capacity is growing
Initial ShrimpWorks® units have been piloted in collaboration with strategic partners, with commercial rollouts aligned with facility upgrades or greenfield plant developments.
Target Market
ShrimpWorks® targets:
- Industrial shrimp processors aiming to scale output
- Shrimp exporters seeking enhanced product presentation and consistency
- Vertical integrators in the aquaculture sector
- Frozen and value-added seafood producers requiring automation to meet global demand
Capabilities
- In-house engineering, software, and robotics teams
- Customization for regional shrimp species and processing preferences
- Ongoing R&D and client-driven feature enhancements
- Remote diagnostics and maintenance support
- Integration with factory MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)
Certifications & Compliance
- All equipment designed to USDA and FDA food-grade standards
- CE Certification for international markets
- IP-rated materials suitable for high-humidity and washdown environments
- Compliant with HACCP-aligned equipment design standards
Major Achievements
- Successfully launched ShrimpWorks® into the global shrimp processing market
- Delivered multi-functional processing from one machine, reducing labor dependency by up to 70%
- Recognized for engineering excellence and innovation in the U.S. Midwest manufacturing sector
- Developed export-ready models for shrimp markets in India, Thailand, and Latin America
Customer Testimonials
While detailed testimonials for ShrimpWorks® remain private, initial demonstrations and pilot clients have reported:
- “Significant improvement in shrimp yield and uniformity”
- “Less downtime and more predictability compared to traditional labor models”
- “Game-changing integration that simplifies operations and lowers costs”
By applying high-precision automation to shrimp processing, Nova-Tech Engineering’s ShrimpWorks® division is transforming how seafood processors operate—offering a scalable, smart, and sanitary alternative to traditional labor-intensive processing.