What Kroma does

Kroma A/S is a Danish, family-owned industrial equipment manufacturer headquartered in Skive that designs and produces specialized machinery for the fish-processing industry, with operations tracing back to 1915 (as TH Iversen Smedie) and a dedicated focus on seafood equipment since 1975. The company's core products are the GUTMASTER series of species-specific gutting machines (X, 3000, 1200, 1000, 750) capable of processing up to 65–180 fish per minute, complemented by the FILETMASTER 180 filleting machine, HEADMASTER deheader, SCALEMASTER 1500 de-scaler (with a water-free option), GRADEMASTER grading system, the SILAGEMASTER fish-waste-to-silage system, and VISIOMASTER computer-vision quality control. Underlying differentiators include a 16-step automatic size-adjustment system, the VISIOMASTER camera-based QC module, water-free de-scaling, and durability that keeps machines from the late 1970s in operation.

Kroma sells primarily to commercial fish-processing companies and aquaculture operations worldwide, reaching 200+ customers in 35+ countries via a hybrid go-to-market of local agents (Europe, USA, Chile, Peru), direct sales from Denmark, and turnkey line engineering. Revenue is generated through capital-equipment sales, full turnkey processing-line installation, recurring service and maintenance contracts, and a daily-shipped international spare-parts business, with pricing set on a contact basis rather than published. Distribution is anchored in a global agent network supported by Remote Access Supervision service capability, and the company has expanded its addressable market through the 2021 partial acquisition of Dansupply Automation's salmon-business segment and the 2022 launch of the SILAGEMASTER waste-to-value platform.

Name

Kroma

Legal name

Kroma A/S

Website

https://kroma.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kroma A/S is a Danish family-owned manufacturer of specialized fish-processing machinery — gutting, filleting, deheading, de-scaling, grading, and waste-handling systems — serving commercial fish processors and aquaculture operators in 35+ countries through a global agent and direct-sales network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fish Processing Machinery

NAICS

Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF)

Keywords

• Fish processing machinery
• Gutting machines
• Filleting machines
• De-scaling equipment
• Turnkey processing lines

Headquarters

HQ city

Skive

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Fish Processing Machinery Sales: Sale of fish processing equipment including gutting machines (GUTMASTER series), filleting machines (FILETMASTER), de-scaling machines (SCALEMASTER), and related equipment. Machines are sold as stand-alone units or as part of turnkey solutions.
2. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Service agreements involving annual or bi-annual inspections of machinery. Includes hotline support, remote access supervision services, and on-site technical service from engineers.
3. Spare Parts: Sale of spare parts for all fish processing machines. Large stock maintained with daily international courier shipments.
4. Turnkey Solutions: Complete fish processing line design and installation, working with Danish and international processing consultants to deliver entire factories or production floor transformations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kroma A/S designs, manufactures, and services specialized industrial machinery for the fish processing industry. Its core product lines are species-specific gutting machines (the GUTMASTER family including X, 3000, 1200, 1000, and 750), the FILETMASTER 180 filleting machine, the HEADMASTER deheading machine, the SCALEMASTER 1500 de-scaling machine, the GRADEMASTER grading system, and complete turnkey processing lines for trout, salmon, mackerel, seabass, seabream, tilapia, flatfish, and other species. Revenue is complemented by spare parts, on-site service contracts, and a Remote Access Supervision service.

Product overview

Kroma is a Danish fish processing equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialized machines and turnkey solutions for the seafood industry. The core product line centers on the GUTMASTER family of gutting machines (GUTMASTER X, 3000, 1200, 1000, 750) designed for different fish sizes and species, complemented by FILETMASTER 180 for filleting and HEADMASTER for deheading. Supporting equipment includes SCALEMASTER 1500 for de-scaling, GRADEMASTER for grading, and specialized systems like SILAGEMASTER for waste-to-value processing and VISIOMASTER for automated quality inspection. The product ecosystem includes accessories (VACMASTER, BRINEMASTER) and the Prohygienic Conveyor Series, all supported by Remote Access Supervision service and spare parts. Kroma provides both standalone machines and complete turnkey processing lines designed for specific fish species.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GUTMASTER X Gutting machine for salmon and salmon trout (2-11 kg) using princess-cut processing with three suction units for gut and bloodline removal; features standard programs switchable from the machine screen, sold to fish processors and aquaculture operations.
• GUTMASTER 3000 Gutting machine for medium-sized fish between 1-4 kg, featuring the 16-step measurement system with automatic size adjustment; available in standard and roe models, for fish processors handling medium trout, salmon, and similar species.
• GUTMASTER 1200 High-capacity gutting machine ('Ferrari of gutting machines') with the 16-step system for flexibility across fish sizes; processes up to 65 fish per minute, available in roe and non-roe versions, for high-volume fish processors.
• GUTMASTER 1000 Gutting machine designed for plaice and other flatfish species (0.18-0.7 kg); all tools activate based on fish measurement with technical parts at top for easy washing, for processors handling flatfish including marine/sea use.
• GUTMASTER 750 Gutting machine for small and medium production plants handling fish 0.15-0.75 kg, with high-precision built-in controls, suitable for seabream, seabass, and tilapia.
• FILETMASTER 180 Filleting machine for trout, seabream, seabass, and mackerel (0.25-2 kg) with cam belt drive for high capacity (up to 120 fish/minute); can process whole or pre-gutted fish, for fish processors and aquaculture operations.
• HEADMASTER Automatic head cutting machine with U-cut design for optimal yield; available in different designs for trout, mackerel, sea bass, sea bream, and tilapia; ergonomic design with 1-2 operators at high capacity (up to 180 fish/minute), for fish processing lines.
• SCALEMASTER 1500 In-line de-scaling machine gentle on fish with soft meat structure; processes up to 80 fish per minute, handles fish 0.2-8 kg; features a water-free de-scaling option for tilapia and haddock, for fish processors seeking reduced water use.
• GRADEMASTER Grading system for land and onboard ships with size-sorting and batch-sorting capabilities; touch screen control with 99 program memory storage; processes up to 60 fish/minute, for processors needing automated size grading.
• GL 30-06 Gutting Line Manned gutting line for small-scale producers of large fish (1-8 kg); 4-8 operators for flexibility in processing different species and sizes, includes washing unit, delivered for trout, salmon, carp, and sturgeon processors.
• SILAGEMASTER Fish waste handling system that processes by-product into easy-to-store silage without cooling; silage can be refined into additives for feed (pet, fish, poultry, pork) or technical purposes (biogas, fertilizer, biofuel), for fish processors seeking by-product valorization.
• Turnkey Solutions Complete fish processing system design for gutting, grading, de-scaling, and filleting lines; Kroma designs entire solutions or redesigns factory areas based on customer capacity and species requirements, working with Danish and international processing consultants, for large seafood processing plants.
• VACMASTER Vacuum unit for cleaning processes on gutting and filleting machines; can be used with waste handling systems to automatically remove waste into containers with cooling, external waste bins, or block freezers, for fish processors integrating Kroma equipment.
• BRINEMASTER Brine injection system for GUTMASTER 1200 that injects brine into fish belly for salt curing (e.g., mackerel for smoking) or flavor enhancement (e.g., garlic brine for trout/seabass); operates up to 30 fish per minute, for processors adding value through brining.
• VISIOMASTER Camera inspection system that captures and analyzes images of the gutted fish belly cavity to detect residual kidney blood, gills, heart, or intestines; eliminates manual fish checking by automatically sorting fish to a manual gutting table if needed, for processors requiring automated quality control.
• Prohygienic Conveyor Series Hygienic conveyor series for the food processing industry built with stainless steel and food-grade polymers; handles loads up to 30 kg/m with adjustable speed (5-40 m/min), for fish processors needing compliant inter-machine material handling.
• Remote Access Supervision Remote monitoring and troubleshooting service for Kroma fish processing machines that enables service technicians to access electrical functions remotely, helping find and correct faults before they result in production interruptions; offered under service agreements to installed-base customers.
• FILETMASTER (New) Newly introduced FILETMASTER filleting machine unveiled as part of Kroma's 50th anniversary of fish processing solutions in 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Machines still operating from late 1970s, demonstrating exceptional durability
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Lemvigh-MüllercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2021Kroma A/S partnered with Lemvigh-Müller in 2021 as part of their Greenment™ program, demonstrating commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in operations.
• Dansupply AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2021Kroma A/S acquired part of Dansupply Automation company, specifically the segment that delivers equipment to the fish and food industry. This acquisition ensures easier access to the salmon market and supports future growth.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Bettcher Industries: US-based food processing equipment manufacturer focused on meat, poultry, and increasingly protein processing automation. A growing peer with some overlap in fish-protein applications, where its trimming and portioning systems can compete with Kroma's FILETMASTER.

Direct peers

• BAADER: German-headquartered global leader in fish processing machinery (gutting, filleting, de-heading, grading). Closest direct competitor to Kroma, offering an overlapping product portfolio for salmon, whitefish, and other species across the same customer base of fish processors and aquaculture operators.
• Cabinplant: Danish food processing equipment manufacturer serving seafood, meat, and ready-meal producers. A fellow Danish specialist with a comparable product line in portioning, weighing, and processing, making it a direct regional peer in both capabilities and home-market geography.
• Optimar: Norwegian fish processing equipment provider with a strong focus on whitefish and pelagic species, offering freezing, processing, and automation lines. Comparable to Kroma in serving Nordic and European fish processors with species-specific machinery and turnkey solutions.
• Skaginn 3X: Icelandic fish processing equipment manufacturer specializing in turnkey processing lines for salmon, cod, and pelagic species. Directly comparable to Kroma's GUTMASTER and turnkey solutions portfolio, serving the same Nordic and global seafood processing customer base.

Broad incumbents

• JBT Corporation: US-listed global supplier of food processing and air transportation equipment. JBT's Protein and Food Technology segments include fish and seafood processing solutions, competing with Kroma for large enterprise accounts and offering more comprehensive service networks.
• Tomra: Norwegian technology company best known for sorting and grading solutions across food and recycling. Tomra's food sorting business competes with Kroma's GRADEMASTER in fish-size and quality grading applications and offers advanced sensor-based alternatives.
• GEA Group: German global industrial machinery group with a large food and dairy processing equipment division. While not specialized in fish, GEA's scale, R&D, and global service network position it as a broad incumbent that can enter or expand in fish-processing niches adjacent to its core portfolio.
• Marel: Icelandic global food-processing equipment major with significant fish, poultry, and meat divisions. Marel is much larger and broader than Kroma, but competes directly in fish processing and offers bundled equipment lines that can displace specialist suppliers in turnkey bids.

Others

• ProMach: US packaging and processing equipment platform serving food, beverage, and consumer goods. ProMach competes with Kroma in turnkey food processing line integration, particularly for customers seeking a single supplier for processing plus downstream packaging.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kromaas5454
• Facebookfacebook.com/KromaAS2017
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kroma-a-s

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kroma