Tummers, Siemens partner to advance digital potato processing technologies

Published October 8, 2024

NETHERLANDS – Tummers Food Processing Solutions has forged a strategic partnership with Siemens to drive the digital transformation of potato processing.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward for Tummers, a company renowned for its washing, peeling, cutting, and drying technologies.

Together, they aim to increase efficiency and sustainability in the potato processing industry, incorporating innovative digital tools that streamline operations.

Alongside this, Mart Frozen Foods, a division of The Mart Group, has recently launched a state-of-the-art facility in Rupert, Idaho, dedicated to producing frozen, fully baked Idaho potatoes, further highlighting the rapid technological advancements within the sector.

At the heart of the Tummers-Siemens partnership is Tummers Connect, a groundbreaking platform designed to simplify machine control.

The digital platform enables users to monitor machine operations, adjust settings, consult manuals, and order spare parts all through an easy-to-use dashboard.

“We are incredibly proud of Tummers Connect. It allows food processors to manage their operations more efficiently, helping improve productivity and sustainability,” said Lennaert van Dijk, Managing Director of Tummers.

“Our collaboration with Siemens ensures that we are incorporating the best digital solutions available.”

Siemens brings decades of expertise in automation and digital infrastructure to the partnership, which strengthens Tummers’ ability to offer next-level solutions to its customers.

“Tummers has built this platform with their customers in mind, and we’re excited to partner with them on this project,” said Dirk de Bilde, CEO of Siemens Netherlands N.V. “By leveraging digital solutions, we can improve how the food processing industry operates, providing better results and greater efficiency.”

Rupert Welcomes New 100,000-Square-Foot Production Facility

In a related development, Mart Frozen Foods has opened a USD 65 million, 100,000-square-foot production facility in Southern Idaho’s Magic Valley.

The facility focuses on manufacturing frozen, fully baked Idaho potatoes, branded as OH!Tatoes, expanding the company’s capacity and enhancing the region’s economic footprint.

“The new facility allows us to deliver the quality of Idaho potatoes in a more convenient and longer-lasting format,” said Julian Critchfield, CEO of The Mart Group. “This investment not only boosts our production but also provides new jobs and strengthens Southern Idaho’s food processing sector.”

The Rupert facility is expected to create 80 full-time jobs and have an annual economic impact of over USD 11 million.

The region’s well-established agribusiness base, known for leading the state’s agricultural industry, played a significant role in making this development a reality.

A digital and technological leap for the industry

Both Tummers and Mart Frozen Foods represent a new era of innovation in the potato processing industry.

While Tummers Connect is set to improve operations through digital control, Mart’s investment in cutting-edge frozen potato technology showcases how the industry is evolving to meet modern demands.

The results of Tummers and Siemens’ partnership will be showcased at Interpom, where they plan to unveil the next phase of Tummers Connect.

Meanwhile, OH!Tatoes, the first frozen, fully baked Idaho potato, is already hitting supermarket shelves, making it easier for consumers to enjoy quality Idaho potatoes in minutes.

“We’re excited to see what the future holds,” van Dijk concluded. “Our partnership with Siemens ensures that we are at the forefront of digital innovation, shaping the future of food processing.”