December 18, 2009 - GEA Liquid Processing, a company in GEA Processing Engineering, has secured a double digit million Euro order with dairy group TINE in Norway. The order is for the delivery of dairy processing equipment and processing expertise for the company’s new diary factory that will be located near Stavanger, Norway.

In detail GEA Liquid Processing will deliver its hygienic CIP (Cleaning-in-Place) System as well as technology and processing equipment for the new dairy factory’s milk reception and milk processing. The entire installation will represent state-of-the-art within dairy processing and meet the strictest norms for hygienic design.

TINE set ambitious standards for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability relating to work environment, noise reduction, production safety and quality control in all processes. The new dairy factory near Stavanger replaces four smaller dairy factories in Norway. According the schedule the new dairy factory will be ready for production in 2011.

»The order marks a breakthrough for us in Norway. We were up against fierce competition that really challenged our ability to work across GEA companies. Since negotiations started in early 2009, we have worked to sustain a very open dialogue with TINE to uncover their need and really build trust in to our relationship. I think our strength is in our ability to think and work in holistic solutions,” says President & CEO Anders Wilhjelm, GEA Process Engineering.

TINE Group is Norway’s equivalent to dairy producers such as Denmark’s ARLA, Finland’s Valio, and Holland’s Friesland Campina. The Group’s subsidiaries sell milk and dairy products in Sweden, Denmark, the UK, and the US. In 2008 the Group had a turnover of 17.7 bn NOK (2.1 bn EUR). With 15,847 co-operative owners, 5,834 employees and 44 dairy and production facilities in other business areas the company is represented throughout Norway.

GEA Process Engineering is a Division within GEA Group.