April 26, 2010

Semming Semmingsen has been appointed as new Managing Director of Nofima Marin, a Norwegian research group engaging in research and development and innovation for the national and international aquaculture, fisheries and food industry.

Semmingsen is currently CEO of prawn manufacturer Stella Polaris, which is a family business that he has managed since 1986.

Nofima Marin's main task is to contribute to increased added value in the industries it serves, and in this respect, Semmingsen's considerable industry experience will be extremely important, according to the company's CEO Oyvind Fylling-Jensen.

"Semmingsen has 25 years experience in the business community and knows which demands are set by companies in the industry regarding research. Throughout his career, Semming has shown curiosity and understanding for research through a host of innovation projects in the prawn industry. I am therefore very pleased to have got Semming on board," he added.

In this period, the prawn industry in Norway has undergone drastic restructuring and Stella Polaris is today one of just two major Norwegian prawn manufacturers.

"I have carried out many collaboration projects with the research community in recent years, and I regard this community as extremely competent and innovative," said Semmingsen.

"My ambition is play a part in developing this further through focusing on extensive research competence in combination with increased contact with and understanding of the industry actors. We still have a long way to go until we have derived the value potential in the raw materials we harvest from the sea, and it's hard to imagine a more meaningful job for myself than being part of developing the Norwegian coastal societies in this way," he added.

Semmingsen will take up his new position in August 2010.