Sgorran will shift full build of its Inoca fish vaccination machines to PP Control & Automation in the West Midlands as it prepares to scale production for aquaculture customers. The move gives the company additional assembly capacity while keeping internal resources focused on sales growth and R&D for future models.
The Inoca machines can vaccinate 2,500 fish per channel, with a modular design that can scale to eight channels. The automated technology can deliver up to three intraperitoneal vaccines and one intramuscular vaccine, covering vaccine requirements commonly used by fish farms worldwide.
“Interest in Inoca is coming from all over the globe and we quickly realized that we could not keep up with demand if we tried to do it ourselves,” explained Kristian Clezy Sgorran.
“Our strengths rest in the design and innovation of the aquaculture technology, and this is what we want to focus on. We started to look for an outsourcing partner and was blown away by the capabilities of PP Control & Automation when we visited its site and spoke to its new product introduction and engineering teams.”
To support the production shift, Sgorran and PP C&A have created a new product introduction cell that will move into a full build line. The line will include mechanical, pneumatic and electrical control assemblies, while PP C&A will manage the supply chain to reduce lead times by four weeks and improve purchasing capacity.
Design-for-manufacture specialists will also develop process blueprints for the build program. The production setup is designed to support annual output of up to 12 Inoca machines.
“The first two models are destined for UK and Europe, with the latter up to eight channels wide,” added Kristian.
“That’s where the modular build is so important. You can have as little as one, right up to eight, giving the client the capacity to vaccinate up to 100,000 fish every day.”
He added: “Although we have lots of experience in the team, we are a relatively new business and that can sometimes cause issues when pitching for future orders. Partnering with PP C&A has changed those perceptions and we’re now seeing customers starting to place orders, as they now know we can meet lead times and volumes. You can’t put a value on that.”
PP C&A operates from a 5,500-square-meter facility in the West Midlands and builds machinery for more than 20 major machinery manufacturers. Its work includes systems for mobile phone water-damage protection, Formula 1 performance applications, automated cow milking and energy storage and generation equipment. The Sgorran agreement adds aquaculture to its manufacturing work, with up to four Inoca machines planned over the next 12 months and production expected to triple by 2027.
Mark Johnson, engineering manager at PP Control & Automation, added his support: “We have significant experience in helping technology disruptors take new machines to market quickly and cost-effectively.”
“This is what we will be doing for Sgorran as the company looks to make inroads into the fish vaccination market. Our engineers have started the first build, with the brief to identify production improvements and potential supply chain rationalization, as we work through the first iterations.”
Gary Haynes, chief sales officer at PP C&A, concluded: “Importantly, we have given Kristian and his team the confidence to talk to new customers knowing that there is repeatable build quality and a guaranteed 12-week lead time in place.”
Source: Sgorran
About PP Control & Automation
PP Control & Automation, founded in 1967 and based in West Midlands, UK, provides outsourcing in control and automation, including contract manufacturing and assembly of modules and complete machines. The company supports machine builders and OEMs in industries such as packaging, medical, environmental, transport, and logistics. Its work includes building machines that robotically milk cows, produce packaging solutions, protect phones from water damage, and cut parts used in F1 cars and commercial aircraft. PP Control & Automation employs more than 200 people at its facility in Walsall, UK.
About Sgorran
Sgorran is an aquaculture technology company that develops automated fish vaccination systems and field support services. Its INOCA machines support high-volume vaccination work in farm and hatchery settings. The systems use sensor-based fish measurement rather than camera-based measurement for difficult sea conditions. Sgorran supplies INOCA machines to aquaculture producers and deploys trained teams for vaccination campaigns. The company also provides field servicing, maintenance, upgrades and technical support during vaccination periods. Its research and development work covers automation, fish welfare, vaccination accuracy, prototype testing and commercialization. Sgorran serves fish farms, aquaculture companies and fish health partners in Scotland, Norway, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North America and Asia. Its customers work with salmon, trout, sea bass and other farmed species. Founded in 2025, Sgorran is headquartered in Stirling, Scotland.