Orangeworks machinery acquires fellow Netherlands business Tanis Food Tec

Netherlands food sector machinery manufacturer Orangeworks has acquired fellow Dutch company Tanis Food Tec equipment, specialising in systems for confectionery and bakery markets.

The move was described as being a ‘match made in heaven’ with the two businesses offering complimentary expertise that enables greater coverage across the industry.

Orangeworks, which is marking its 50th anniversary, was established in 1970 by founder Cyriel Kint under the name of Staalwerk in the village of Mill in the Netherlands. This steel production company quickly became a long-term maintenance partner for major snack and food producers throughout the region. In 1985, Staalwerk opened a second location in Veghel.

After years of solid growth, the company name was changed from Staalwerk to Orangeworks in 2016, and the brand-new site in Oss was inaugurated in 2019. Over the years, the company has evolved from a focus on engineering and technical solutions to one that is geared toward food technology. This strategy has allowed Orangeworks to count (global) brands such as Mars Wrigley, Kellogg’s, Pepsico, Heineken and Nestlé among its client base.

For its part, Tanis Food Tec was founded in 1991 by Peter Tanis following a long-standing career in the global food industry. Tanis, whose father already owned a factory for confectionery equipment, built his business based on his technological expertise in the field of recipes and processes. TFT, based in Lelystad, boasts extensive R&D facilities including a testing laboratory for product development.

Given this background in technology, TFT has achieved a global position for itself as the engineers and suppliers of high-quality process lines with a particular focus on bakery and confectionery products and an emphasis on product innovation and customised solutions.

As Tanis confirmed, talks surrounding the deal began at the end of 2019, where it was discovered the two businesses shared common goals, which paved the way for the acquisition.

“There was a match in our companies’ DNA,” said managing director Koen Verstegen of Orangeworks. Owner Jan de Wringer agreed. “That meant that we could also start looking for ways of converging. And they are certainly there! Together with TFT, we are taking a major leap forward in the field of technology and engineering. Based on high-quality and food technology expertise, we develop and produce machines and production equipment that allow our customers to innovate in their own markets or niches.

Peter Tanis, owner of TFT, anticipates uncovering even more advantages in the upcoming collaboration with Orangeworks. He said: “Process knowledge, creativity and production efficiency are now being brought together. And that will deliver plenty of added value for our customers. The market is becoming more complex. Major changes in the area of hygiene are developing, and new food trends require new recipes and innovative products. Customers prefer to work with a single partner who understands international project management, offers flexible solutions and who can take over responsibility for the entire project. The combination of engineering and production quality from Orangeworks and process knowledge from TFT gives us a significant edge in the market.”

Related content

Leave a reply

Confectionery Production