Boronia (Wurundjeri), New South Wales.
We encourage other exporters to apply. It’s an excellent opportunity to benchmark your success against peers, receive constructive feedback, and celebrate the contributions of the export sector to the economy.
Alf Taylor, TNA’s Managing Director and Co-founder.
Manufacturing and Advanced Materials winner – TNA solutions.
21 November 2024
A single-source, complete solutions partner for food companies, TNA ensures food manufacturing is more reliable, flexible and affordable.
In 1984, TNA co-founder Alf Taylor created a simple modification that revolutionised bagging systems for the snack industry. His discovery dramatically increased packing efficiency, doubling the speed from 60 bags per minute to 120 bags per minute. Building on this, Alf and co-founder Nadia Taylor expanded TNA’s portfolio to include comprehensive food processing, and packaging solutions.
Today, TNA sells more than 140 products. It has more than 600 employees and 30 offices worldwide. It is the only global supplier for the entire snack production line.
‘Being a homegrown Australian brand, we take great pride in our heritage, and in bringing Australian manufacturing to the world,’ says Alf Taylor, TNA’s Managing Director and Co-founder.
TNA was recently tasked by Egypt’s National Services Projects Organization (NSPO) to deliver 2 complete production lines for potato products. The first potato processing line for hash browns and rosti can produce 2 metric tonnes per hour. The second line, dedicated to French fries, wedges and disks, produces up to 10 metric tonnes per hour.
‘The project allowed us to demonstrate the capabilities of Australian-made technology in the Middle East and North African region,’ says Taylor. ‘It was one of our largest projects, allowing us to showcase our complete line capabilities.’
The tna ropac® 5 addresses a range of packaging challenges facing the food industry globally. The main challenge for manufacturers using existing case packers is that increasing their output speed often reduces packing efficiency. With a capacity of 200 bags per minute on a single infeed configuration, the tna ropac® 5 is the fastest system in the industry. It also boasts the smallest footprint and fits seamlessly into existing factory set-ups.
An Australian snack manufacturing giant leveraged the tna ropac® 5 to automate its case packing operations. The company saw a 140% throughput increase in the first 12 months of installation. The manufacturing company then partnered with TNA to help develop a global case study. This is being used as an international sales and marketing tool.
The case study components were recently shipped to TNA Thailand, enabling customers in Asia to experience live demos.
TNA is the 2024 winner of the Manufacturing and Advanced Materials award category at the 62nd Australian Export Awards. This is the second time TNA has been recognised at the Australian Export Awards. It was a finalist in the same award category in 2022.
‘We encourage other exporters to apply. It’s an excellent opportunity to benchmark your success against peers, receive constructive feedback, and celebrate the contributions of the export sector to the economy,’ says Taylor.
‘Additionally, the networking opportunities and visibility that come from participating can open doors for future collaborations and partnerships.’
By embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering a culture of creativity, we aim to continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible in our field
Participation in international trade shows and expos allows TNA’s regional teams to explore new business opportunities.
In the last year, the company supported more than A$25 million in marketing-attributed revenue through promotional activities including open houses, trade shows and digital activities.
‘Networking is crucial in export markets. Building trust can lead to valuable partnerships,’ says Taylor. ‘Establishing connections with local distributors, trade organisations and industry associations help you gain insights and support.’
As a powerful advocate of social justice, TNA endeavours to support children in disadvantaged communities through education, healthcare and social enterprise programs. Its humanitarian initiatives are undertaken by a dedicated philanthropic division, the Nadia and Alf Taylor Foundation.
To date, the Foundation has supported more than 150 charities across 39 countries. It has directly impacted the lives of over 20,000 people.
TNA continues to explore opportunities in export markets showing growth potential. It also seeks to create solutions that cater to specific industry trends.
‘These include the rise in confectionery consumption in Asia, the demand for healthy snacks in Europe, and the affinity towards new flavours in North America,’ says Taylor. Current focus regions include North America and Europe, followed by ANZ, Asia and MENA.
TNA’s legacy will be one of innovation and excellence.
‘By embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering a culture of creativity, we aim to continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible in our field,’ says Taylor. ‘Our commitment to innovation will not only enhance our product offerings but also inspire our peers to think outside the box and explore new possibilities.’
Visit TNA Solutions website.
Manufacturing and Advanced Materials winner – TNA solutions. For the full transcript please visit the Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Award 2024 - TNA solutions video on YouTube.