Matís has been working in Hornafjörður since 2006. Its operations are situated in Nýheimar knowledge center, which is a platform for innovative work in the area. Two specialists are working full time at Matís' facilities in Hornafjörður. The main objective of Matís' operations for the area is to support and help build-up small-scale production of food, the exportation of live shellfish and crab and to conduct research on Norway lobster.

The Matís Food Innovation Centre (Matarsmiðjan) in Hornafjörður was established 2008 on the south-east coast of Iceland closely connected to the fishing industry.  The aim of the center is divided in two main aspects 1) access to know-how and 2) access to equipment.  Such food innovation centers are build up so innovators can start production without facing high startup cost in machines and complicated laws and regulation.  This ensures more streamlined R&D process reducing the cost and risk.  Using such center entrepreneurs can also initiated small scale pilot products to test response of the market.   After product development in the innovation center the entrepreneur can either start his own production line or use the food innovation center for production based on co-packing agreement. That could be ideal for small startup companies that may even only produce food items over a short period every year. Based on the concept described above Matis operates a small scale food innovation center in a Hornafjordur. The facility was designed to allow entrepreneurs and small food companies to go through the R&D process for new food products.  The center has equipment and technical expertise for developing and initiating production and distribution for small scale producers.  The center gives our clients the chance to develop the widest range of food products as it is well equipped.  It e.g. has a freeze drier, smoke oven and climate controlled drying room. 

Industrial fisheries and agriculture are the main pillars in the rural economy in Iceland.  Therefore food innovation can be a major part in rural development strategies in Iceland.   With forward thinking, Matis has built a holistic approach to strengthen and diversify the rural economy through small-scale food innovation. The aim is to transfer the knowledge currently presented in the company to entrepreneurs that lack both skills and facilities to turn local raw materials to valuable and unique food items.  To succeed on local, regional or international markets such products are often based on uniqueness in location, identity, perception or wellbeing.  These facts has further awakening our interested in fulfilling the current research knowledge for such factors.  Data generated by such researches are going to be of primary importance regarding to further re-localization both through re-connecting and origin of food strategies. 

Currently Matis is leading a large research project focusing on bridging small-scale local food initiatives and tourism to increase the sustainability of both.  In the project the focus is on increasing economic, social, and environmental sustainability of tourism industry in rural areas in Iceland through food items suitable for tourist and local restaurants.  In this case a special focus is again on defining uniqueness of regional food products to increase the quality of life Icelandic rural areas. 

Matís' station manager in Höfn is Vigfus Th. Asbjornsson.

Matís ltd. - Höfn:
Nýheimum, Litlu brú 2 - 780 Höfn
Fax: +354 422 5005

Starfsmenn:

• Vigfus Th. Asbjornsson, specialist, vigfus()matis.is.
  Phone: +354 858 5136