Tomra Sorting in Dublin has created a new center of excellence for its food optical sorting and peeling business, and is set to improve its R&D capabilities after moving to a new facility in Citywest, Dublin.
The official opening took place on September 25 with Minister Damien English, the Minister of State for Skills, Research & Innovation, performing the ribbon cutting ceremony along with Dr Volker Rehrmann, Executive Vice-President and Head of Tomra Sorting and Maurice Moynihan, local Managing Director and Market Director Tomra Sorting Food.
Tomra Sorting Food was formed following the acquisition of Irish company Odenberg in 2010 and the Belgian company Best Sorting in June 2012, by TOMRA Systems ASA. Tomra Sorting Food’s portfolio includes over 150 applications, such as those dedicated to potatoes, vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, seafood, nuts and seeds.
The company has been developing technologies for more than 40 years. The Dublin office is responsible for the development of whole product sorting (potatoes, peaches, carrot, onions, etc.) and peeling equipment that increases yield, productivity and enhances food safety for the global food industry.
Over 70 people attended the official opening of the new 3,500 square meter facility including Minister Damien English, officials from the IDA, employees and customers as well as senior figures from the organization. The event included a tour of the new facility as well as a demonstration of Tomra’s new sorting machines.
The equipment in action included the FPS field potato sorter for unwashed potatoes and the high capacity Bulk Size Grader for carrots, onions and potatoes showcasing the latest in sensor based technologies.
Minister Damien English, speaking at the launch of the Tomra facility, said he was very impressed by the new research centre, as it was confirmation of the Government’s commitment to encourage research and development in companies based here. The provision of high-quality jobs for well qualified Irish people in the wider food sector is a key priority and he praised the investment by the company as a vote of confidence in Ireland and its workforce.
The investment in the new facility stands at approximately EUR 2.1 million and includes office, workshop and demonstration space as well as a peeling process development lab, an advanced optics lab and a sorting test facility.
“The investment in our new premises allows us to capitalize on the significant investment made by Tomra in R&D whilst also proving much improved work areas for our people. The new work space promotes the highest levels of collaboration and creativity where the flow of ideas can happen naturally in a bright and comfortable environment supporting greater innovation and efficiency”, said Maurice Moynihan, local Managing Director and Market Director Tomra Sorting Food.
Dermot Clohessy, Executive Director, IDA Ireland said “Today’s announcement by Tomra is a welcome boost to Ireland’s technology and innovation ecosystem. It provides further evidence that Ireland is a highly attractive location to carry out sophisticated research and development initiatives. IDA Ireland looks forward to continuing to work closely and support Tomra in the future.’’
