In a release issued earlier this week, Jacob Rognhaug, general manager at Tomra China, discussed how the post-harvest solutions companyhas strategically grown its operations in the fast-growing market.
Having established its first subsidiary in China in 2010, Tomra now operates three businesses in the Asian nation; food sorting and grading, recycling sorting and beverage container collection. Its business activity ranges from business development, product management, R&D, assembly, sales, service and application validation.
To help guide its development, Tomra launched a comprehensive China strategy in 2015, which included the establishment of a local R&D team, setting up a local service network and strengthening local production.
In 2017, Tomra invested in expanding its manufacturing site in Kunshan to over 11,000m2, strengthening its supply chain, and providing enhanced support for the local market.
In addition, Tomra enhanced its engineering capability in China by extending its technology center in Xiamen to support product and application development. Today, the technology center in Xiamen covers 5000m2, hosting about 150 employees, tripling the number of staff that were employed in 2015.
“Since we first established a branch in Xiamen in 2010, Tomra has made great progress in China,” said Rognhaug. 'The Tomra brand is increasingly recognized in the local market, and Tomra’s technical advantages in achieving the goal of sustainable development are welcomed as a valuable contribution.”
Tomra’s development in China has aligned with rapid growth in the country’s economy. Rognhaug said this fast progress has posed some challenges to the long-term welfare of the population, including issues around food safety.
With the “Made in China 2025” strategy, blueprinted by the nation’s top decision makers, there has been a national consensus that China should make a transition to sustainable development. In the coming years, Rognhaug expects priority will be given to innovation, manufacturing quality, environmental protection and structural change in the economy.
Tomra claims its vision of building a circular economy and a sustainable future with the aid of cutting-edge technology will resonate with China’s top-level strategy.
“The Tomra China team is willing to work with the local community in developing solutions that meet the needs of the local market and assist China’s economic transformation,” Rognhaug said. “With a spirit of innovation and a strong commitment to China, we look forward to a future that is win-win.”
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