Norwegian-based company Tomra has officially opened its latest specialised project facility in Valencia, Spain, showcasing its optical sorting equipment.
The newly-established site, situated near a major horticultural and nut growing region, will focus on both processed foods and fresh fruit.
According to the company’s statement to Confectionery Production, the new facilities will function as a central point for Southern Europe and North Africa, offering training, service, and spare parts. This expansion aligns with the company’s restructuring efforts.
Tomra Food, operating globally, emphasised the need for a more concentrated approach, as highlighted by Harald Henriksen, the new EVP and Head of TOMRA Food, who introduced a regional structure to the organisation.
Karel Strubbe, the new SVP and Head of TOMRA Food for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, stated, “We aim to collaborate directly with customers across minimal time zones, enhancing agility, fostering closer relationships, and improving local operations to deliver superior service.”
Tomra Food views its interaction with customers as a collaborative endeavour, seeking optimal solutions for each project and engaging in joint solution design.
The Valencia centre’s significance stems from its proximity to the concentrated fruit, vegetable, and nut sector in the eastern Levante region, reinforcing personal engagement and communication with producers.
The expert team at the Valencia centre will manage European projects, serving as a demonstration hub for various fruit applications. While Belgium remains the reference centre for processed food, the Valencia facility will offer occasional demonstrations and training sessions.
Furthermore, the centre will function as an after-sales service hub for the EMEA region, stocking spare parts to expedite deliveries. A local technical team, led by Jorge García Cascales, offers support to installations in Spain, Portugal, and neighbouring countries.
Alejandro Palacios, Tomra Food’s regional sales manager for Southern Europe, emphasised the importance of demonstration centres, providing customers with insights into sorting machine capabilities and tailored support. The Valencia team is enthusiastic about the facility’s potential.
Noteworthy features of the facility include a wide range of equipment for demonstrations, including the Demo SLS (Single Lane Sorter) featuring Spectrim C2IR and Inspectra 2 for citrus and large fruit applications, among other optical sorting lines.
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Hannah Larvin
Editor, International Confectionery
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