News on Processing Equipment from Europe

Record-breaking early-summer temperatures and low soil moisture are increasing variability in Europe's 2026 potato crop. Wyma Solutions highlights post-harvest solutions to help processors manage quality, efficiency and throughput.

Forsfood Group Oy has joined Orat Oy and Banmark Oy Ab in a strategic acquisition, combining decades of expertise in food processing machinery. The company will continue operations under its name with unchanged team, ensuring full continuity.

FrietHoes is scaling up with a new fries factory in Nieuw-Vennep, expanding capacity and reach across home and international markets. With rising demand for real potato taste, the brand is set to become the new quality benchmark in fries.

Potato Demo Day 2026 has opened visitor registration for its September event in Westmaas. The programme includes more than 120 exhibitors, 25 knowledge sessions, machinery demonstrations, a Startup Plaza and activities covering the potato value chain

Ishida Europe has named Takayo Motegi as Managing Director, succeeding Dave Tiso, who becomes Chairman. With 30+ years in the Ishida Group, Motegi will lead growth across EMEA, advancing automation, packaging and quality control solutions.

Gpi De Gouwe has rebranded as Gpi Process Technology, reflecting its evolution into a specialist in advanced food processing solutions. The company offers turnkey systems for fries, sauces, ready meals, chocolate, and confectionery production.

Investindustrial, comprising the Kiremko, Idaho Steel and Reyco brands, has completed the acquisition of 100% of Tummers Group and Van der Giessen, bringing together specialist companies with complementary capabilities across the potato processing value chain. 

Elea Technology will host a free online webinar on June 30, 2026, at 15:00, to present the latest additions to its PiCon portfolio for Pulsed Electric Field process control, including PiCon Vision and PiCon Flow, alongside AI-powered PiCon Sense.

Boema, Italian family firm (1979), introduces FME Nautilus hygienic hydraulic food pumps for potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Stainless steel AISI316L design, CIP integration, gentle conveyance, multiple capacities, global supply from Poland. EU.

Insort will preview Sherlock Belt Compact at SNACKEX 2026. The new sorting platform uses in-flight inspection, 4K RGB imaging and AI-powered deep learning to improve defect detection, reduce yield loss and increase sorting efficiency.

Heat and Control will showcase processing, seasoning, water conservation and thermal processing technologies at Snackex 2026 in Lisbon. The solutions are designed to support greater efficiency, sustainability and performance in snack manufacturing.

Klaas van de Poppe has been appointed CEO of Eqraft, effective May 1, 2026. He succeeds Marcel Kampes and will lead the company's next phase of global growth, innovation, and customer-focused solutions for potato and onion processing.

ELEA Technology GmbH has secured European Patent EP 3 641 559 B1 for a Pulsed Electric Field process that enables flavors, spices, and additives to penetrate food products before frying or drying, improving flavor consistency and product quality.

Tong SwiftLift has appointed Tom Allwood as Electrical and Service Manager to strengthen electrical production, aftersales service and customer support for the SwiftLift range as part of the Tong Engineering Group.

Sticomax Group has acquired ICS Spiral Freezers to strengthen its expertise in freezing, cooling, and proofing solutions. The addition expands the group to seven companies, with combined turnover expected to reach EUR 125 million (USD 142 million).

As processors increasingly work with potatoes sourced from more challenging growing conditions, FAM STUMABO has introduced StoneExtractor to improve stone evacuation within the cutting head and reduce the operational impact of embedded stones.

Allround Vegetable Processing, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of potato and vegetable processing machinery has appointed Denmark-based Manter Nordic ApS, a supplier of processing and packaging technology for the agro-food industry in Scandinavia

Key Technology unveiled new food processing and inspection technologies at Interpack 2026, including ADR X, COMPASS sorter and Impulse conveyor solutions.