Marel, Iceland, is taking two significant steps toward a more streamlined and cost-effective manufacturing footprint. As a result, the food processing equipment manufacturer announced plans to cease production of freezers in Singapore. The wind-down of manufacturing activities in Singapore is expected to be finished before mid-year 2015.

Marel also announced plans to merge its Des Moines, Iowa, manufacturing operation with its Gainesville, Ga., one in order to capture synergies and increase its competitiveness. The transition process will begin in January 2015, with completion before year-end 2015.

Marel will also invest in a new innovation center in Des Moines with a focus on the meat and further processing industries. The new innovation center will replace the existing one. These two steps will result in the reduction of approximately 150 employees.

Marel’s U.S. operation will consist of a multi-industry manufacturing site in Gainesville focusing on the poultry, meat and further processing industries, a manufacturing site in Seattle, Wash., focusing on on-board solutions for the fish industry, a multi-industry sales and service office in Lenexa, Kan., and an innovation center in Des Moines. All four of the U.S. sites will continue to focus on sales and service support.