**London**: Thiago Roriz, COO of TNA Solutions, discusses the potato processing industry’s challenges and the company’s strategic vision for 2025, focusing on supply security, automation, and innovations to enhance efficiency amid changing consumer demands and geopolitical pressures.
In a recent interview, Thiago Roriz, Chief Operations Officer of TNA Solutions, reflected on the challenges encountered in the potato processing industry over the past year while also discussing the company’s vision for 2025. Addressing market volatility, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and workforce scarcity, Roriz highlighted significant pressures that have affected operations. Notably, geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and climate-related events such as El Niño have substantially strained global food supply networks. According to Food Engineering, production costs increased by approximately 12% per product.
In response to these challenges, TNA Solutions has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring supply security through a robust global network that spans 30 countries. Roriz noted that the company is committed to enhancing service levels by offering comprehensive service contracts, increasing the availability of parts, and improving response times to maintain operational continuity for its customers. TNA’s innovations are focused on energy efficiency and cost savings to help brands mitigate rising expenses, alongside initiatives designed to optimise equipment performance and improve overall yields.
As the market landscape continues to evolve, TNA is adapting its strategies accordingly. Roriz indicated that there is an increasing need for single-source solutions that provide a unified point of responsibility, along with tailored configurations that align with future trends. Automation is a key priority for TNA, driven by a growing need for user-friendly systems due to prevalent labour shortages.
The company’s market strategies are influenced by emerging trends, regulatory changes, and economic conditions. In Europe, demand for healthy snacks is rising, while North America shows a preference for innovative flavours. TNA is prioritising its expansion into various regions, starting in the UK, mainland Europe, and North America, and extending into Latin America, South Africa, the MENA region, and Asia to address the shifting demands of consumers.
To maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly saturated market, TNA Solutions integrates processing and packaging systems designed to streamline operations and minimise downtime, thereby maximising output. Strategic acquisitions, like that of Florigo in 2015, have enhanced TNA’s technological capabilities and diversified its solutions portfolio. This integrated approach aligns with consumer and retailer needs while ensuring sustainable profitability.
Roriz also touched upon unexpected events impacting the business in 2024, particularly fluctuating international trade policies which posed challenges in tariffs and compliance. However, TNA’s agile model allowed them to navigate these regulatory changes effectively by broadening their market presence.
Looking ahead to 2025, Roriz outlined key drivers of change for TNA Solutions, primarily geographic expansion and product diversification. The company is focused on maintaining a presence in various global markets and continually exploring applications across snacks, frozen foods, and more to keep pace with consumer demands.
In terms of the industry outlook, TNA aims to lead with innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and simplify processes over the next five years. Roriz emphasised a vision aligned with Industry 5.0, characterised by human-centric, technologically advanced practices. Recent innovations, such as the tna intelli-assist™—which utilises XR and digital twins—are indicative of TNA’s commitment to data-driven strategies that offer high planning accuracy while minimising reworks.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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