TOMRA Food, a division of TOMRA Group, has been providing sensor-based sorting machines and integrated post-harvest solutions to the food industry in Turkey for 25 years. TOMRA’s technologies enable food processors to improve operational efficiency, increase profitability, and ensure safe food supply. To see how Turkish businesses are fulfilling these objectives, executives from TOMRA Processed Food have visited customers’ facilities in the country in the year that the TOMRA Group celebrates its 50th anniversary globally.
Ken Moynihan, Senior Vice President and Head of TOMRA Processed Food, said: “Turkey is a country of strategic importance – a market leader in nuts and dried fruits, as well as some fresh fruit and vegetables. Because food processors in Turkey offer their products to world markets, they make continuous improvements to meet the required standards, investing in automation to supply safe, high-quality products. To help processors meet these high standards, TOMRA Food has been providing its products and services in Turkey for 25 years now. We offer food grading, sorting, peeling and analytical technologies. After first operating in the Turkish market through a representative, we established our own office here to support customers a long time ago.”
More than 12,800 TOMRA units are installed at food growers, packers, and processors worldwide for fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, nuts, grains and seeds, potato products, proteins, nuts, and confectionery.
Turkey leads the food industry in many areas
Ken Moynihan explained: “Turkey is the world leader in nut production, especially hazelnuts. Turkey also ranks first in the world in apricot, fig and cherry production. And when we look at the production of fruits like apple, cherry and tangerine – and many vegetables – we see that Turkey is among the top five growers globally. The country has a significant place as the world’s largest exporter.
“However, quality expectations in the food sector are gradually increasing, both in domestic and export markets. Issues such as global warming, climate change, limited agricultural areas, and sustainability are raising difficulties in processing. To counteract these challenges and stay competitive, food manufacturers and processors are investing more in technology. Our customers are increasing their investments and the number of processors who prefer TOMRA optical sorting machines is also increasing day by day. By enhancing our presence in Turkey, we are working to be even closer to our customers, to provide the best solutions for each individual business.”
TOMRA’s sorting and grading solutions are in operation in Turkey handling nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, and frozen fruits and vegetables. TOMRA’s sorting machines help meet high standards in product quality by detecting and sorting impurities from production and processing lines based on color, shape, size, structure and even biological properties. By sorting out unwanted foreign objects and defective products without discarding saleable materials, they also help prevent food waste.
Ken Moynihan explained: “TOMRA’s solutions reduce the waste, known as “false rejects”, to extremely low levels in products such as hazelnuts, raisins, and seeds to less than 1%. To give an example, an average nut or dried fruit plant in Turkey has a production capacity of approximately 20,000 tons per year and would see approximately 5% of good product go to waste with the defected product. Because TOMRA’s technologies significantly reduce the “false reject” rate from 5% to less than 1%, an average-size processing business could prevent 800 tons of hazelnuts or raisins from going to waste every year creating a major impact not only to our customer’s bottom line, but also helping us reach our goals to reduce food waste.”
Test and Demonstration Center in Turkey
One of TOMRA Food’s 10 Test and Demonstration Centers around the world is located at its regional headquarters in Istanbul. Here, food processors can test TOMRA’s technologies to find the sorting solutions that are ideal for their business.
Ken Moynihan said: “In the past, we invited food manufacturers and processors in Turkey to visit our demonstration facility in Belgium. However, in 2017 we opened a Test and Demonstration Center in Istanbul to make it easier for our Turkish customers to test our sorting solutions with their own products. During the demos, participants can closely observe TOMRA’s sorting solutions in action. And by meeting TOMRA Food experts, they can gain detailed information about how these technologies improve food safety, food quality, sustainability, and profitability.”
Close to customers with local after-sales services
Ken Moynihan emphasized, “At TOMRA Food we believe it’s important to be close to our customers and to provide strong support at the local level. This helps prevent unpredicted disruptions on production lines as as much as possible, to ensure uninterrupted operation. Our trained after sales and service team in Turkey – which is growing – makes regular customer visits. And by keeping a big stock of spare parts in Turkey, we can provide after-sales service quickly. Our advanced structure strengthens the bond of trust with our customers here.”
