As part of our continuous effort to improve our customer service, from 1st July we are bringing together our Health and Genetics salmon activities under the leadership of Geir Olav Melingen, who becomes Head of Benchmark Salmon, Health and Genetics.
Over the last year, we have implemented several changes in our teams’ structure to improve our commercial efficiency and strengthen our customer engagement. This change sees the departure of John Marshall and is the latest move to align our resources more effectively. This will result in improved service delivery through one contact point for Benchmark’s entire product portfolio for Atlantic salmon.
Benchmark’s Atlantic salmon offering
Benchmark is a leader in salmon genetics and sea lice treatments, two mission-critical areas in salmon production. We invest in technology, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a talented team to deliver reliable, biosecure products and solutions.
Through a single point of contact, technical expertise, and a laser focus on customer service, we are uniquely positioned to work with customers from the very beginning of production, carrying this relationship forward throughout the production cycle.
Trond Williksen, CEO of Benchmark Holdings, commented:
“Under John’s leadership throughout the last 12 years, our Animal Health business has led the industry through the research, development, and commercial launch of Ectosan® Vet. The first veterinary sea lice medicine to be introduced to the Norwegian salmon market in over a decade, which was an enormous achievement. Together with the development and launch of Benchmark’s CleanTreat® water purification system, the first of its kind to ever be used in the aquaculture industry.
It was a tremendous moment in July 2021 when Benchmark gained the Marketing Authorisation for Ectosan® Vet. This remains a major milestone for the company for which we thank John for his imperative role.
Winning the Nor-Fishing Innovation award at AquaNor in August 2019 was another great moment for everyone involved and under John’s leadership. Ectosan® Vet and CleanTreat® has been a breakthrough development for the industry in effectively managing sea lice levels and improving fish welfare whilst protecting the environment.
John leaves the business in great shape for the next stage of its growth with the recent announcement and signing of the partnership agreement with MMC First Process AS and Salt Ship Design AS to integrate CleanTreat® systems onboard wellboats.
John has built a talented and experienced team capable of taking the business through this next phase. His successor, Geir Olav Melingen, has served as Commercial Director for Benchmark Salmon for the last year. Geir Olav has extensive experience in leading roles in the aquaculture industry, including at MSD as CEO of Fishguard and CEO of the Bergen Aquarium. He has deep experience in fish health and the salmon industry and is widely acknowledged as a strong leader. Geir Olav holds a Ph.D. in fish health from the University of Bergen.
Geir Olav’s background, coupled with his experience, makes him the ideal person to further develop the Benchmark Salmon business. I look forward to working closely with him”, Trond concluded.
