A Legacy of Innovation and Adaptation in Iceland's Fishing Industry

Fishing has been the backbone of Iceland’s economy and culture for centuries. With limited arable land, early Icelanders depended on the sea for sustenance and livelihood. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the industrialization of fisheries transformed the nation, making it one of the world’s leading seafood exporters – and experts. The introduction of mechanized processing solutions, such as those pioneered by BAADER, revolutionized the industry, enabling greater efficiency, higher yields, and improved product quality.

On September 19, 1959, BAADER Iceland, then known as Baader Þjónustan ehf., was founded by Ulrich Marth, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in Iceland's fishing industry. The company had a modest start with just a small team of four office workers, one inventory employee, and two technicians. Given the highly specialized nature of BAADER machinery, technicians were frequently dispatched from Lübeck, Germany, to assist with service and commissioning during its early years.

Overcoming Early Challenges and Pioneering Local Production 

One of the significant challenges BAADER Iceland faced in its formative years was the country’s strict currency restrictions, which complicated the importation of essential spare parts. To navigate these limitations, the company took a bold step — setting up local manufacturing operations. By installing a lathe and a milling machine, BAADER Iceland began producing its spare parts with the help of two machinists. This ensured continued operations and laid the groundwork for future innovation.

The company soon began modifying and enhancing BAADER machines to bettersuit Iceland’s fisheries' unique demands. Models that were designed and manufactured in Germany like the BAADER 99, BAADER 440, BAADER 150, BAADER 33, and the groundbreaking BAADER 189 filleting machine in 1971 were instrumental in driving business growth. The latter’s success necessitated a move to a larger facility to accommodate increased manufacturing capacity. 

The BAADER 189 was the first efficient whitefish filleting machine for mass production. A machine so popular, it returned in an updated version in 2023 as BAADER 189 Pro. It is designed to take on the challenges of a demanding modern market and deliver improvement in production yield and higher operational efficiency. After its predecessor caused quite some success for BAADER Iceland, the updated version is now being designed and produced in Kópavogur, Iceland. 

Pioneering Localized Machine Designs 

Recognizing the specific needs of the Icelandic fishing industry, BAADER Iceland embarked on in-house product development. The introduction of the IS-027 heading machine was a milestone, as it addressed the limitations of the Germany-designed BAADER 410 and BAADER 421 models, which were not optimized for Icelandic fish sizes and processing conditions. This innovation was later refined into the BAADER 427, further cementing BAADER Iceland's role in machine evolution.

Another breakthrough came in 1980 with the launch of the IS-001 salt fish heading machine, designed to outperform the BAADER 415 and withstand increasing domestic competition. Over time, BAADER Iceland continued to diversify its portfolio, developing de-scalers and heading machines tailored to different fish species.

To this day, BAADER Iceland has its R&D department, focusing on innovative product design. Always in close contact with the industry, the department works closely with its customers and service personnel to get the best results possible.

Technological Advancement: CNC and CAD Integration 

BAADER Iceland’s commitment to technological advancement was further reinforced in 1984 when it acquired its first CNC machine, marking the beginning of its ascent as one of the island’s most advanced CNC workshops. This investment significantly improved precision and manufacturing capacity, setting new industry benchmarks.

The company continued its innovation streak in 1988 by becoming the first in Iceland to adopt computer-aided design (CAD) with AutoCAD, led by the new CEO Jochum Marth. This modernization revolutionized BAADER Iceland’s design processes, enhancing efficiency and precision. The adoption of Inventor for 3D modeling further solidified its reputation as a leader in cutting-edge engineering.

Adapting to Industry Shifts and Specialization  

During its early decades, BAADER Iceland played a crucial role in providing comprehensive solutions to Iceland’s onshore fish production facilities and freezing trawlers. The company supplied and serviced complete processing lines, including heading, filleting, and skinning machines. However, as domestic competition increased in the 1990s, BAADER Iceland strategically shifted its focus from large-scale projects toward specialized machine design and manufacturing, reinforcing its reputation for innovation and reliability.

A Legacy of Innovation and Progress 

From overcoming early financial constraints to pioneering advanced processing solutions, BAADER Iceland has consistently demonstrated ingenuity and adaptability. The company’s contributions have propelled Iceland’s seafood sector forward and solidified its position as an integral part of BAADER’s global network. Today, BAADER Iceland stands as a testament to the power of innovation, continuing to shape the future of fish processing in one of the world's most storied maritime nations.

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