Peeling back layers of efficiency and sustainability
Sormac’s peeling solutions empower Gills Onions
(Sponsored) Gills Onions in Oxnard, Calif., is considered to be one of the largest innovative and sustainable onion processors in the world. From its growing practices to a commitment to zero waste, Gills is devoted to providing the highest-quality, value-added onion products with the lowest environmental impact. With a growing international presence, Gills needed a trusted technology partner in onion processing — that’s where Sormac comes in.
As a global leader in fresh produce equipment, Sormac redefines industry standards, making vegetable processing more reliable and efficient while ensuring operational continuity and peace of mind. With advanced processing equipment and in-depth expertise, Sormac helps customers increase their bottom line.
Steven Gill, owner and president of Gills Onions, chose Sormac solutions in onion processing due to their focus on hygienic machine design, efficiency, ease of operation and the overall knowledge from the experienced team. Gills uses Sormac’s USM-H100 onion peeler and their washing and drying line for diced onions.
Designed for performance and premium hygiene, the USM-H100 offers unique accessibility and significantly shorter cleaning times. It is easy to operate and adjust on the fly and is designed with fewer moving parts for lower maintenance costs. It delivers an excellent peeling result, supports a wider size range, and features lower noise and air consumption.
“We switched to this peeler because of the efficiency of the machine when peeling the onions, plus the air and power consumption are super-efficient compared to other machines,” Gill said. “It offers up to 40% lower energy and air consumption levels compared to similar machines and is designed to be on one level, ensuring working with and adjusting the machine is seamless for operators.”
Juliel Montes, plant engineer and maintenance manager at Gills Onions, has worked at Gills for nearly 5 years, managing and operating Sormac’s equipment. “On the operation side, our efficiency and yield have remarkably increased since using the Sormac solutions,” Montes said. “We are impressed with the yield improvements we achieved with the USM-H100 onion peeler. At Gills, millions of pounds of onions are peeled each year. This is significant not only for our bottom line but also for the environment. Higher yield also means less waste.’ Said Montes.
Montes adds that the experience and knowledge of the Sormac team brings to the table is invaluable, making operations seamless while maintaining quality and control. “We definitely recommend the USM-H100 to others due to the efficiency of the machine, cleanability and the ease of operation,” Gill said.
Next to the onion peeler, Gills has chosen for the washing and drying line from Sormac due to its high capacity, efficient drying (residue moisture level) and the gentle handling of the product which contributes to a longer shelf life.
For Gills, every improvement to production is a step toward their ultimate goal — a more sustainable planet. With Sormac’s USM-H100 onion peeler and their washing and drying line, they continue to demonstrate that innovation, technology and knowledge deliver smarter solutions and better products.
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