GEA opened the doors of its new 1500 square meter Technology Center (XLAB) in Biedenkopf-Wallau for the first time on 20 March 2023. From now on, the new XLAB will be available to customers for product testing and training. During the opening ceremony, guests had the opportunity to be the first to get acquainted with the new location and technological developments of the internationally operating group for the food processing industry.
“We are very excited to open our new Technology Center, after a short six-month construction phase. With the XLAB, we are taking product testing for our national and international customers to a whole new level. A special feature is the new 500-sqm air-conditioned hall, which can be cooled down to the freezing point and enables customer tests under realistic conditions,” says Moritz Krunke, Managing director of GEA’s Wallau site.
During the opening week, automation, digitization, and sustainability, as well as training and performance support workshops will be offered to customers. Plant tours and live demonstrations on the slicing and packaging line, SmartPacker and CutMaster round off the program. Individual machines and complete, highly digitalized production lines are on display on the exhibition floor, and the business unit’s entire product portfolio is available.
This includes technically complex thermoforming and vertical packaging machines, high-speed cutting and loading systems for meat, sausage, ham/bacon, cheese, frozen foods and vegetables, as well as highly flexible bowl cutters for the production of sausages, cheese, fish and meat substitute products. In addition, this business unit of GEA offers solutions for the production and packaging of lollipops and other confectionery and food products. The XLAB combines expertise from across the GEA business unit at one location.
GEA offers technology transformation
“Our new Technology Center underscores our partnership-based customer relations on a national and international level. Together with our customers, we develop tailored solutions that will play a decisive role in the technological transformation of the respective production area,” adds Jörg Kuhn, vice president of the Slicing & Packaging Business Unit.
GEA has been active in the food segment for many years and has since developed into a full-liner that offers expert knowledge to support its customers throughout the entire process. GEA is not only a supplier, but also a consultant for customers just entering the industry. These are integrated into the processes and planning at an early stage. In addition to consulting, GEA stands out as a full-line supplier of machines for the entire process line, automation, and software, which is a huge plus in terms of efficiency.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in
Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
Subscribe Now
