At Norsk Kylling, progress is a mindset. The Norwegian poultry processor is recognized for its commitment to quality, animal welfare, and sustainability. Operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Orkanger, the company processes around 15 million birds annually, employs over 430 people, and generates a turnover exceeding USD 200 million.
Leading the plant’s cut-up and deboning operations is Adam Berk, Head of Cut-up & Deboning at Norsk Kylling, who has overseen several technology upgrades in recent years. When Meyn prepared the rollout of its next-generation Rapid breast deboning system, Berk and his team were chosen as field-trial partners to validate the new system in full-scale production.
Four years earlier, Meyn design engineers Fred de Vos, Marcel Verhagen, and Jeroen Wijtten had the idea to further improve deboned breast meat yield by measuring breast sizes and approach every single product individually with a, meanwhile patented, four-blade wishbone-removal principle that automatically adjusts to each individual breast.
Two years later, during a visit to Meyn’s R&D department at the Oostzaan headquarters in the Netherlands, Berk from Norsk Kylling saw the first prototype of what would become the Rapid M5.0 in operation. The difference was immediately clear: a cleaner wishbone cut, quieter operation, and smoother performance thanks to the mechanically driven principle replacing pneumatics.
That visit marked the beginning of a close collaboration to test the M5.0 technology under real production conditions in Orkanger.
The field trial began with a direct replacement from Norsk Kylling’s M4.3 to the M5.0 technology. Together with Meyn’s R&D team, the team planned every detail in advance, allowing the entire carousel replacement to take place over a single weekend. Production restarted on Monday morning with only minimal fine-tuning required.
During the following months, Norsk Kylling’s production and quality teams gathered operational data on yield, bone content, and uptime, sharing their findings with Meyn’s engineers. The results were clear: the Rapid Plus M5.0 increased average yield by 4g per fillet, adding 140 tons of meat per year. Maintenance and cleaning became faster, and operators noticed a quieter, more stable line. Berk points out that the gain equals roughly 700-800.000 extra meals per year, without processing a single additional bird.
In daily use, the M5.0 makes operation easier and more consistent. Adjustments are faster, scrapers self-adjust automatically, and the new mechanical driven wishbone units replaces pneumatic components, reducing maintenance costs and noise.
The redesigned open frame and integrated rinsing system also make cleaning quicker and more consistent. “Nothing stays inside anymore,” Berk says. “It’s faster to wash, safer to maintain, and the hygiene level is visibly higher.”
The simplified carousel design makes maintenance easier and improves uptime—important gains for a plant processing more than 15 million birds annually.
The Rapid M5.0’s patented four-blade wishbone-removal principle not only boosts yield but also gives each fillet a more natural, oval shape. The new approach delivers a visible improvement in product appearance and helps Norsk Kylling achieve more from every bird. “For us,” Berk says, “that’s what innovation should do—create value while reducing waste.”
The Norsk Kylling field trial gave Meyn valuable proof of performance before the Rapid M5.0’s global release. The collaboration generated insights into customer benefits, user experience, and long-term maintenance practices that now help ensure smooth deployment for processors worldwide.
Following the success of the M5.0 validation, Norsk Kylling continues to explore new automation and inspection technologies together with Meyn’s engineering and service teams. Both share a focus on improving yield and efficiency by reducing waste, enhancing sustainability, and making every step of poultry processing smarter.
Founded in 1991 and owned by REMA 1000, Norsk Kylling is one of Norway’s most advanced poultry processors. From its Orkanger facility, the company works with over 145 farmers to supply around 110 million diners annually. With a focus on animal welfare and environmental responsibility, Norsk Kylling’s slower-growing chicken breed and modern production methods have set a new benchmark for sustainable poultry production in Northern Europe.
The Meyn Rapid Plus M5.0 Breast Deboner builds on more than 20 years of engineering expertise. Operating at 7,000 breasts per hour, the system applies an individual approach by measuring each product and using Meyn’s patented four-blade wishbone-removal principle to reduce waste and maximize yield. With self-adjusting scrapers and an integrated rinsing system, it ensures improved hygiene and lower maintenance costs.
The M5.0 is now available to poultry processors worldwide. Contact your local Meyn representative for availability in your region.
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