From left: Kontali chairman and founder Lars Liabø, Kontali chief executive Thomas Aas, and Morten Henriksen, executive vice prsident of Arendals Fossekompani. Montage: Kontali.

Salmon number cruncher Kontali bought out

Leading Norwegian fish farming consultancy and data provider Kontali Analyse has been acquired by hydro-power producer and green-tech investment company Arendals Fossekompani (AFK).

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AFK, which has agreed to buy a 71% stake in Kontali, is establishing its own analytics business, Alytic. Kontali is the first company in the Alytic portfolio but AFK intends to add other data-driven companies serving different industries.

“We are excited to have Arendals Fossekompani become the majority shareholder,” said Lars Liabø, founder and chairman of Kontali, in a press release.

“Supported by the digital competence and financial capabilities of AFK, Kontali will be able to accelerate the digital transformation of the company and strengthen an already leading position within aquaculture and fisheries.”

Data-savvy market

Kontali was founded in Kristiansund, Norway in 1987 and has served as the leading knowledge-based consultancy and data provider for the Norwegian fish farming industry, collecting production data, establishing the first production and market simulation models, and developing the salmon database.

“Kontali is a well-run company with dedicated professionals, who have built a leading position over three decades,” said AFK executive vice president Morten Henriksen.

“In a global and increasingly data-savvy market, it is vital that Kontali accelerates the technology shift to capitalise on the expertise within the company. Arendals Fossekompani is a perfect match, with a proven track-record of developing data-driven companies through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model that facilitates fast global growth.”

Decision support

AFK said it established Alytic to transform a wide range of data-driven companies that offer key decision support to their respective industries. 

“We are looking to invest in data-driven businesses in need of transformation and scale. We have already identified a number of companies with products relevant to global markets in targeted segments and industries,” said Henriksen.

Arendals Fossekompani owns energy- and technology-related companies which enable the transition to a green economy. Established in 1896, AFK has been a producer of renewable hydro power for more than 100 years.