TOMRA announces Field Research Center opening

One of TOMRA Food's business areas, TOMRA Fresh Food, now operates from the company's Field Research Center in Waikato, New Zealand. By uniting business activities previously situated in both Auckland and Waikato, all development cycle stages, from Fruit science to manufacturing food-grading technology, are now in a close proximity.

This initiative was realized after TOMRA Food created two discrete business areas, TOMRA Fresh Food and TOMRA Processed Food. It also integrates the knowledge of BBC Technologies, Compac and two New Zealand-based businesses which TOMRA acquired in 2018, which now belong to the TOMRA Food brand.

The integration has made TOMRA's Fresh Food business area one of the most important providers of post-harvest technologies and services to the international fresh produce industry, using the world's most forward grading technology. TOMRA offers packhouse solutions for apples, citrus fruit, avocados, kiwifruit, tomatoes, blueberries and cherries.

According to Geoff Furniss, CEO of TOMRA Fresh Food, they seek to continue pushing the limits of agri-tech innovation and to broaden their offering further. Operating out of the Field Research Center enables them to fully align their development team, to bring highly valued products to the food sector, and make better use of the skills of their crew, to get closer to clients through aligned service and sales offers.

The Waikato District of New Zealand's North Island is situated between subtropical and temperate climates. This location suits various crops, including berries, potatoes, cherries and apples. The nearby Bay of Plenty region is home to New Zealand's largest avocado and kiwifruit plantings. This agricultural diversity enables TOMRA to collaborate with a wide range of commercial partners.

The Field Research Center is a 5.100-sq.m building that accommodates 280 employees. Some 3.300 sq.m are dedicated to factory space, and 1.800 sq.m to offices. Besides, there is a production design facility; cool storage; test laboratories; space for software design, engineering, electronics, the facility for full test simulations of packing lines and testing new solutions with these lines; and the space for TOMRA's research and development program.

The center also features 2 hectares for field research. By cultivating the same crops as its clients, TOMRA will build a better understanding of the missions they must complete, from the field to packinghouse.

Furniss affirmed that TOMRA's development team will work along with the company's Fresh Fruit Science Program to test and improve solutions before producing them on site. 

TOMRA's Fresh Food business line has 17 offices worldwide with manufacturing in Europe, China, and New Zealand.

TOMRA Food is a producer of sensor-based sorting machines and integrated post-harvest equipment for the food industry. The company uses one of the world’s most advanced grading, sorting, peeling and analytical technology.

Their main goal is to help their customers to improve returns, gain operational efficiencies, minimize food waste, ensure quality and a safe food supply with sustainable technologies. 

Their solutions are installed at food growers, packers and processors around the world. This allows businesses to maximize productivity and recovery rates, while reducing food waste and developing the overall quality of the produce.

If you wish to collaborate or obtain more information on TOMRA Food, send your inquiry today