Machinery manufacturer Sormac says UK and Irish companies are continuing to invest strategically, with automation and efficiency seen as vital tools to manage today’s big challenges
Sormac, Netherlands-based manufacturer of advanced processing machinery, has seen strong, consistent demand for both standalone machines and complete turnkey lines for new factories since it opened its UK office in 2023, says Sean Martin, managing director at Sormac Ltd.
“Fresh-cut processors are under continuous pressure to deliver higher quality, greater efficiency and improved yields,” he reveals, “and our machines are designed exactly with that in mind.”
The company is able to offer customisation, as well as integration with third party equipment, he says. “This flexibility, our in-depth processing expertise and our wide portfolio are often the reason Sormac is the preferred choice,” Martin explains. “Many of our customers across the UK and Ireland are upgrading or replacing older equipment with more advanced solutions, and we’ve been encouraged by the level of trust in our brand and technology across the sector.”
UK companies are investing, he says, but highly strategically. “Our customers are being more selective. But when it comes to increasing throughput, reducing labour dependency and increasing product quality, they are willing to invest. In fact, many businesses see automation and efficiency as essential tools to manage today’s operating costs and labour challenges.”
Sormac has seen particular interest in solutions that save water, reduce waste and provide a consistent, high-quality final product. “It also helps that Sormac has invested heavily in very specific areas of R&D to address gaps in the market,” adds Martin, “By launching new technology such as our USM-H100 onion peeler, the OptiCor iceberg lettuce coring machine and state-of-the-art washing and drying technology, which incorporates new sanitisation techniques such as UVC treatment, Sormac has real, tangible benefits to offer our customers.”
Challenges continue to impact fresh produce firms, but Martin believes there is a growing recognition among Sormac’s customers in the UK and Ireland that investing in the right machinery and support systems not only improves efficiency today, but also helps to position them for long-term resilience.
