Marel is a global leader in advanced food processing solutions, headquartered in Garðabær, Iceland. With a strong footprint across the poultry, meat, and fish industries, Marel empowers food processors to operate at peak productivity and quality using state-of-the-art equipment, software, and services. The company is known for transforming the way food is processed, aiming to ensure safe, sustainable, and high-quality food production for a growing global population.
Core Business
Marel specializes in developing and supplying integrated systems and equipment for food processing, supported by proprietary software and automation technology. The company serves large and small food processors worldwide, enabling them to improve yield, throughput, traceability, and food safety across the value chain.
Its business is organized into three industry segments:
In addition, Marel offers cross-industry solutions such as Innova food processing software and industrial wastewater treatment systems.
Product & Service Offerings
Marel delivers complete, automated food processing lines and individual machines for various processing stages:
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Poultry Processing Equipment
- Primary Processing Systems (live bird handling, defeathering, evisceration)
- Secondary Processing Systems (cut-up, deboning, portioning)
- Further Processing Systems (marination, coating, cooking, packaging)
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Meat Processing Equipment
- Slaughtering Systems (for pork, beef, lamb)
- Deboning and Trimming Solutions (automated and semi-automated)
- Case-Ready Solutions (slicing, portioning, weighing, labeling)
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Fish Processing Equipment
- Wild and Farmed Fish Systems (filleting, trimming, skinning, packing)
- Specialized Salmon and Whitefish Lines
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Innova Food Processing Software
- Production monitoring
- Yield control
- Quality assurance
- Traceability and reporting
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Water Treatment Solutions
- Industrial wastewater treatment systems designed for food processors
These offerings enable fully integrated, traceable, and hygienic food processing systems adapted to specific regional needs and regulatory standards.
Specialisation and USP
Marel’s unique strength lies in its integration of hardware and software to deliver automated, data-driven processing solutions. The company stands out for:
- Highly customizable systems tailored to processors' scale and scope
- Industry-first innovations in robotics, sensor-based sorting, and real-time data tracking
- The Innova software suite, providing end-to-end digital transformation for food factories
- Sustainable equipment design focused on energy efficiency, water savings, and waste reduction
Its vertical integration and commitment to continuous innovation (over 20% of employees are in R&D) ensure cutting-edge performance and long-term value creation.
Financial Strength
Marel is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Nasdaq Iceland under the ticker MAREL, making it one of the most valuable companies in Iceland. As per its latest annual report (2022):
- Revenue: EUR 1.7 billion
- EBIT: EUR 137.6 million
- R&D Investment: Over EUR 100 million
- Employees: 7,000+ across 30+ countries
The company has a strong balance sheet and consistent profitability, enabling sustained investment in technology and market expansion.
Shipment Data
Marel exports its equipment and solutions to over 140 countries worldwide. Its most significant markets include:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
It maintains manufacturing and assembly sites in Iceland, the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, and China, ensuring global supply chain reliability. According to trade insights, Marel completes thousands of machine and software shipments annually, often including complex turnkey systems.
Target Market
Marel serves a wide spectrum of customers:
- Large-scale industrial food processors
- Mid-sized meat, fish, and poultry companies
- Specialized value-added processors
- Contract manufacturers and co-packers
- Government and institutional food suppliers
Its clients range from global food brands and retail suppliers to regional processors focused on efficiency, food safety, and traceability.
Capabilities
Marel’s capabilities are comprehensive and technology-driven:
- Turnkey line integration and factory design
- Automation and robotics implementation
- Custom engineering and R&D for product development
- Digital control through Innova software
- Global spare parts and service network
Its facilities support rapid prototyping, systems testing, and training, while field engineers ensure 24/7 support in key regions.
Certifications and Compliance
Marel adheres to global quality, food safety, and sustainability standards, including:
- ISO 9001 Quality Management
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management
- HACCP-Compliant Equipment Design
- CE and UL Certification for equipment safety
- Compliant with USDA, FDA, and EU food safety regulations
These certifications demonstrate Marel’s commitment to excellence, safety, and regulatory conformity.
Major Achievements
- Pioneer of automated poultry processing lines through its Stork brand
- Developer of the industry-renowned Innova Software Suite, installed in over 5,000 facilities worldwide
- Strategic acquisitions including MAJA, Treif, and PMJ to expand capabilities in slicing, portioning, and duck processing
- Featured in Forbes Global 2000 list of public companies
- Leading role in advancing sustainability with over 70% of R&D projects focused on reducing food waste and resource usage
Customer Testimonials
Marel’s global clients praise its:
- Technological superiority and system integration
- Reliability in uptime and throughput
- Innovation in software-enabled operations
- Responsive, multilingual customer support
Case studies with major processors such as JBS, Cargill, and Marine Harvest highlight measurable improvements in yield, processing time, and traceability using Marel systems.
