Fish vaccine innovator nets manufacturing deal

A Scottish aquaculture technology company is scaling up production after securing a manufacturing partnership designed to support global growth.

Stirling-based Sgorran has signed a deal with PP Control & Automation to manufacture its Inoca fish vaccination machines, which are designed to improve safety and efficiency within fish farming operations.

Founded by aquaculture specialists Kristian Clezy and Gordon Jeffrey, Sgorran developed the automated technology to safely vaccinate large volumes of fish while reducing handling and improving consistency.

The modular machines can vaccinate up to 2500 fish per channel, with capacity for up to eight channels operating simultaneously. 

The system can deliver multiple intraperitoneal (IP) and intramuscular (IM) vaccines commonly used by fish farms worldwide.

Under the agreement, PP Control & Automation will carry out full production of the machines at its West Midlands facility, while also overseeing supply chain management to reduce lead times and improve purchasing efficiencies.

Bosses say the partnership is expected to increase manufacturing capacity to up to 12 machines annually, allowing Sgorran to focus more heavily on research, development and future product innovation.

Kristian said: “Interest in Inoca is coming from all over the globe and we quickly realised that we could not keep up with demand if we tried to do it ourselves.

“Our strengths rest in the design and innovation of the aquaculture technology, and this is what we want to focus on. 

“We started to look for an outsourcing partner and was blown away by the capabilities of PP Control & Automation when we visited its site and spoke to its new product introduction and engineering teams.”

He added: “Although we have lots of experience in the team, we are a relatively new business and that can sometimes cause issues when pitching for future orders. 

“Partnering with PP Control & Automation has changed those perceptions and we’re now seeing customers starting to place orders, as they now know we can meet lead times and volumes. 

“You can’t put a value on that.”

PP C&A, which manufactures technology for sectors ranging from Formula One to renewable energy, expects to build four machines over the next year, with volumes projected to triple by 2027.

Mark Johnson, engineering manager at PP Control & Automation, added: “We have significant experience in helping technology disruptors take new machines to market quickly and cost-effectively.

“This is what we will be doing for Sgorran as the company looks to make inroads into the fish vaccination market. 

“Our engineers have started the first build, with the brief to identify production improvements and potential supply chain rationalisation, as we work through the first iterations.”

Gary Haynes, chief sales officer at PP Control & Automation, added: “Importantly, we have given Kristian and his team the confidence to talk to new customers knowing that there is repeatable build quality and a guaranteed 12-week lead time in place.”

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