The April 5-7 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin was the backdrop of several developments at TOMRA Food that recognized the company’s past growth and future ambitions.
The company marked its 50th anniversary, unveiled a new brand strategy and launched both a robotic packing machine and sorting machine for frozen fruits and vegetables, according to a news release.
The company was founded in Norway on April 1, 1972, by brothers Petter and Tore Planke, who the release said developed the first fully automated reverse vending machine in their family’s garage.
Now, the global operator said it was seeking to align all of its operations.
Two businesses acquired by TOMRA in 2018, Compac and BBC Technologies, now will adopt the TOMRA Food brand name, according to the release. These will form a newly created business area, TOMRA Fresh Food, while TOMRA Food’s other operations become part of the TOMRA Processed Food business area, according to the company. The TOMRA Food brand name will now be accompanied for the first time by a tagline: “Every Resource Counts,” the release said.
“Looking to the future, TOMRA Food is committed to leading the resource revolution in a world where every piece of food counts,” Michel Picandet, executive vice president and head of TOMRA Food, said in the release.
“Focusing on sorting and grading, and working closely with our customers, we can improve the value of food from harvesting to processing and packing, and even to distribution and consumption, considering the great value of the digital tools and data we provide,” the release said.
At Fruit Logistica, TOMRA Fresh Food introduced a new robotic packing machine, the KETE16. The robotic packer is capable of matching the speed and capacity of the fastest clamshell and punnet fillers, while also offering flexibility in pack type and case configuration, according to the release.
