Almond processor installs TOMRA 5C optical sorter at its facility

The Almond Company is the almond handling and processing operation for Harris Family Enterprises, a bunch of companies focused on food production and quality farming. It processes more than 45 tons of almonds for domestic and international supply. The company acquired a TOMRA 5C premium optical sorter which has been operating for the past 6 months with excellent results at its facility in Madera, California.  

Scott Eastom, COO of The Almond Company, comments that they were impressed with the TOMRA 5C's performance. They have applied this machine specifically to their confectionary grade almonds and saw feedback from their customers stating that their product was as good as never before.

The TOMRA 5C premium optical sorter is equipped with innovative sensors and machine learning and big-data analysis to guarantee the accurate foreign material removal. It can detect and analyze defects with a degree of detail unseen in machines of its kind, and notices even the smallest imperfections with its high-resolution lasers.

This machine has been designed to easily examine mass quantities of nuts and dried fruit, increasing the operation’s efficiency while addressing such problems as labor, food safety and product quality. In 6 months of operation at The Almond Company, the sorter has made a significant impact on these aspects. According to Eastom, their production volume increased by 20 to 25 percent.

Eastom added that when evaluating a piece of equipment, they expect for it to pay for itself in 3-5 years, and he is confident that this machine will. Currently they are only utilizing the TOMRA 5C for one product application, but they intend to utilize it in several spots and on other applications in the future. 

Scott Eastom is also impressed by the collaborative approach of TOMRA and its tight cooperation with the customer to provide the best service.  

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, minimise 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 maximise productivity and recovery rates, while reducing food waste and developing the overall quality of the produce.

To learn more about TOMRA Food, follow the link.