BIG Interview: Ryo Takeshita reveals Astra’s first industrial pineapple peeler

Japanese manufacturer Astra, long recognised for its compact peeling machines, has now entered the industrial segment with the launch of the FAP-3000. This high-speed model is designed to peel and core pineapples simultaneously, offering processors greater efficiency, higher yield, and reduced waste. Capable of handling 450–500 pineapples per hour, it more than doubles the output of Astra’s existing small-scale models while maintaining precision and quality. 

The FAP-3000 is already undergoing large-scale trials in Japan and will make its official global debut at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim this October (16–18, 2025). The machine is on track for CE-marking and NSF approval, positioning Astra to meet industrial-scale demand in both the fresh-cut and processing sectors. 

In this interview with Fructidor, Ryo Takeshita, Sales Manager at Astra, shares the story behind the development of the FAP-3000, its engineering challenges, market opportunities, and the benefits it brings to large-scale pineapple processors.

Why did Astra choose to move from smaller-scale machines to full-size industrial models? Was there specific industry demand driving this leap?

Ryo Takeshita: Our smaller machines proved successful worldwide — they’re now sold in over 65 countries. But while they’re great for portability and transport, they aren’t tailored to specific customer divisions. Larger food processors and central kitchens were asking for higher-capacity, specialised solutions. That clear demand drove us to develop full-scale industrial models designed for those environments.

Which regions or sectors (e.g., processing for canned pineapple vs. fresh-cut) do you see the FAP-3000 making the most impact?

Ryo Takeshita: The FAP-3000 will have the greatest impact in the fresh-cut sector, especially in supermarket central factories where efficiency, consistency, and high throughput are critical. That’s where the demand for large-scale automation is strongest.

Besides coring, what were the top three engineering challenges in scaling up? How did the team overcome them?

Ryo Takeshita: 

1. Easy maintenance and cleaning – Industrial users need equipment that can be washed down quickly. We invested significant design and engineering effort to make the FAP-3000 easy to disassemble, wash, and keep hygienic.

2. Balancing size and mobility – Although it’s a large industrial machine, we engineered it to fit through standard elevators and be transportable by truck. That way, customers don’t face installation or logistics barriers.

3. Maintaining a high yield rate – Pineapples naturally vary in size and shape. To avoid waste, the FAP-3000 automatically measures each fruit and adjusts peel thickness in real time, ensuring consistently high yield.

Can you quantify the economic benefits — e.g., payback timeframe or per-tonne cost savings based on current yield improvements?

Ryo Takeshita: Most of our customers see cost savings of around 20–30%. For example, one fresh-cut pineapple processor will reduce trimming staff from six people down to two after installing the FAP-3000. Thanks to both labour savings and higher yield, the payback will be in just four months.

What kind of ROI can larger-scale food processors expect, in both best- and worst-case scenarios?

Ryo Takeshita: In the best-case scenario, where labour costs are high and pineapple volumes are large, customers have seen a payback period as short as 3–4 months. In more conservative cases, even with lower volumes or lower local wages, ROI is usually within 12 months.

What are your customers in current trials highlighting — any real-world insights or unexpected use-cases?

Ryo Takeshita: In trials, customers highlight that the FAP-3000 peels pineapples so cleanly and uniformly that almost no manual fixing is required afterward. Normally, many workers are needed to trim the remaining peel by hand, but this machine eliminates most of that step — cutting a significant amount of labour while improving consistency.

Has feedback from these trials already influenced any last-minute refinements?

Ryo Takeshita: Yes — based on customer feedback, we added a few additional safety guards to make the operation even more secure. But overall, the machine’s core function has proven solid, so no major changes were needed.

Are there any sanitisation features?

Ryo Takeshita: Yes — the FAP-3000 was designed with hygiene as a top priority. It’s very easy to wash and maintain, so daily sanitisation is simple and quick. We’re also planning to obtain NSF certification and compliance with European standards, to give processors additional assurance on safety and food hygiene.

Will you participate in any of the upcoming trade shows this year and 2026?

Ryo Takeshita: Yes, we’ll be exhibiting at several major trade shows — including IFPA Global Show, EATS, Gulfood Manufacturing, and Fruit Logistica — both this year and in 2026.

For more information or to discuss how the FAP-3000 can fit into your operations, send your inquiry for a free consultation.