Apr 4, 2017TOMRA celebrates 45th anniversary
Starting in a small shed in Asker, Norway, the brothers Petter and Tore Planke created a solution to a problem: a local grocer wanted an automated machine that could quickly and easily take back used, empty bottles for recycling, and so TOMRA was born. By the end of 1972, TOMRA had installed 29 machines in Norway, and their successes quickly began to generate interest abroad.
Since those humble beginnings, TOMRA has diversified its offering and expanded its reach. During the first 30 years of its history, the company focused on growing its reverse vending business in markets with deposit systems for beverage packaging. In 2000, the company began developing a more comprehensive business platform, and through a number of acquisitions during the past two decades, TOMRA now provides optical sorting technology for a broad range of materials.
Almost 45 years later, TOMRA in 2016 posted revenues of approximately $756.5 million, with 90,000 systems installed in over 80 markets worldwide. TOMRA’s sensor-based solutions are used today in reverse vending, recycling, mining and food sorting. TOMRA’s food sorting and peeling solutions are utilized in potatoes to boost food processing capacity, quality, safety, yield and profit.
