Family-run trout farm modernises operations with Ace Aquatec technology to meet retail demand

25 June 2026

Britford Trout Farm has successfully upgraded its harvesting operations enabling it to meet demand for quality trout from high profile retail partners. Shifting from outdated manual processes to industry-leading stunning technology supplied by Ace Aquatec, Britford now supplies high grade trout fillets to Waitrose.

Opened in 1983 by Mark Heaven, Britford soon positioned itself as a leading provider of quality trout. Over 40 years later and with a new retail partnership to supply, an upgrade to existing harvesting systems was needed to meet increasing welfare and traceability demands.

Ace Aquatec’s Humane Stunner Universal (A-HSU®), specifically designed for trout, provided the ideal solution and, with the ability to process up to 15 tonnes per hour, presented a significant uplift to the farm’s ability to meet demand in an efficient and humane manner.

Since the installation of the A-HSU® system, Britford has seen a significant improvement of 5 - 6% in fillet yield alongside marked improvements in texture and shelf life and enhanced welfare and traceability compliance. The farm is now planning to scale tonnage from from 200 to 350 tonnes annually and is in talks around upcoming commercial opportunities with other UK supermarkets.

Additional support from the British Trout Association and a £30,000 Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FAWSS) grant helped make this vital capital investment viable for a small family business like Britford.

Jack Heaven, Business Partner at Britford Trout Farm, said:

“We’ve been in the trout business for a long time but our own methods of stunning were not sufficient for future demand so we needed a harvesting solution that reflected the high standards we set for our business and our customers. Since installing Ace Aquatec's humane stunner, we've seen significant improvements in both efficiency and product quality. The harvesting process is smoother and more streamlined, and we've received extremely positive feedback from our processor, including reported fillet yield improvements of five to six percent, alongside excellent shelf life and firm texture. With Ace Aquatec on board and their humane stunning device, our family business has greater confidence in our operation and the product we bring to market.

Tara McGregor-Woodhams, CSMO at Ace Aquatec said: 

“Britford’s story is one of a successful family business operating on a global scale. Our award winning humane stunning technology has already delivered significant improvements in the volumes and quality of trout fillet supplied by the farm and will help Mark and Jack to continue to grow and supply some of the UK’s largest supermarkets while meeting strict welfare and traceability requirements.”