tna acquires FOODesign to broaden food processing offer

The tna group, a global supplier of integrated food packaging solutions, has acquired FOODesign which makes fryers and cookers for food processing plants, and plans to open an office in Asia soon. The acquisition expands tna’s portfolio to offer food manufacturers a choice of processing solutions.

Located in Oregon, USA, FOODesign brings more than 20 years of experience in design, installation and service for total food processing plants to tna. Alongside its existing portfolio of cutting-edge packaging, seasoning and weighing equipment, tna now offers a variety of FOODesign fryers and cookers, including world leading kettle batch fryers and continuous fryers as well as baking and toasting ovens, and specialty roasting equipment. These systems are suitable for use across a wide variety of applications including meat, poultry, seafood, bakery, confectionery and snack foods.

Commenting on the expansion, Michael Green, managing director at tna, said: “With FOODesign providing equipment to many of the top 100 food processing companies in the world, the acquisition gives tna access to all the necessary skills, networks, market knowledge and relationships to provide customers with a new choice in processing equipment – from fryers and feed systems through to packaging and controls.”

Joseph Mistretta, president of FOODesign, said up to now, its business primarily focused on North America but joining tna instantly “opens up a wealth of opportunities, giving us access to a global and extensive sales network, and maximising our ability to service our international customer base more effectively.”

The tna group, which has 26 offices around the world, said it is focusing on three areas of expansion: geographic region, application and products. Group marketing manager Shayne De La Force said: “We are focusing on Asia next. We just opened an office in Germany and in terms of our applications we are looking to grow beyond our core focus of snack foods into meat and poultry and fresh salad produce.”