Tna expands China operations with new office
Tna has expanded its operations in China by opening a new office in the country, which the company says will enable it to provide local food manufacturers with on-the-ground support services.
Located in the Minhang district of Shanghai, TNA Solutions (Shanghai) Co will be managed by Sean Xu, who recently joined Tna as general manager of China. The new office follows the opening of Tna’s first Chinese manufacturing site in Qingdao in 2011.
“Our installation base in the country is well-established, ranging from baggers, conveyors, fryers and seasoning equipment to complete potato processing and confectionery moulding lines,” says Alf Taylor, CEO at Tna. “With our new Shanghai office we are even more accessible to our local customer base and provide them with the support they need to maximise the potential of our integrated packaging and processing solutions.”
While Xu adds, “The Chinese food industry is expected to grow faster than anywhere else in the world. It’s a huge and highly competitive market, but it’s also a market that is filled with opportunities. In particular food safety and automation will be key issues over the next few years, something Tna is well-equipped for thanks to its comprehensive portfolio of integrated turnkey solutions.
“There is also a growing number of time-pressed consumers with higher disposable incomes, who desire confectionery products with new tastes and flavours, making it an ideal market for our flexible starch moulding technology from NID. Together, we’ll be able to equip local manufacturers with the tools and strategies they need to gain a stronger competitive advantage.”
Tna has also set up a brand new Chinese website, which features the company’s portfolio of turnkey products and services in a clean and modern design. In addition, Chinese customers can now also access Tna’s library of brochures, product sell sheets and demo videos, technical white papers and solution-based blogs.
China’s GDP per capita grew at a CAGR of 8% during 2011-2016. A high GDP growth rate coupled with a high proportion of younger demographics make China an attractive investment destination for consumer goods companies and is expected to have a positive influence on the savoury snacks sector.
The sector was valued at $10.52 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% during 2016-2021. Increasing disposable income and growing employment rates are the key growth drivers for the savoury snacks sector in China. China is also one of the largest confectionery markets globally, with a value of $15.58bn and a strong growth forecast of 8.6% CAGR over the 2016-2021 period.
