How Del Rey Avocado boosted production by 72% without expanding their facility

When Jessica Hunter, CEO of Del Rey Avocado, began exploring ways to increase production, she was facing a common challenge in California’s agriculture industry: limited space. “We needed to do more with what we already had,” she recalls. “Square footage isn’t something we can just add. The only real option was to work smarter.”

That’s when Hunter turned to TOMRA. Four years after installing their sorting and grading equipment, the decision has proven to be a turning point for the company.

From the outset, the implementation process set the tone for what would become a lasting and positive partnership. “The installation was flawless,” says Hunter. “And the training was incredibly thorough—everything from computer software and the grading system to mechanical and sorting operations was covered. It was seamless.”

Equally impressive, she notes, has been TOMRA Food’s commitment to ongoing support. “The staff is approachable and always willing to assist. Their prompt response times have significantly minimized our downtime. Honestly, their customer service has been outstanding from the initial conversations all the way through long after the equipment was delivered.”

But it’s the measurable results that tell the most compelling story. Since installing the TOMRA Spectrim system, Del Rey Avocado has increased its daily production by an astonishing 72%—without adding a single square foot of space.

“The photo grading on the Spectrim is incredibly precise,” Hunter says. “And their weight system is by far the most accurate in the industry. That kind of reliability makes a huge difference in our operation.”

For Hunter, the benefits go beyond speed and output. Accuracy, ease of use, and system reliability have become daily assets for her team. “If anyone asks me about improving efficiency, processing speed, or whether the equipment is user-friendly, my answer is a resounding yes.”

Looking back, the decision to partner with TOMRA was about more than just technology—it was about enabling growth in a constrained environment. Today, Del Rey Avocado is producing more than ever, and doing it smarter, faster, and with greater confidence in every sort.