Duravant appoints Dean Ekkaia to lead optical sorting product strategy

USA – Duravant has named Dean Ekkaia as Director of Product Management for optical sorting within its Food Sorting and Handling Group.

His appointment marks a major step toward unifying product development and sales efforts across three of the group’s key brands: Key Technology, Multiscan, and WECO.

“For the first time, we’re combining the optical sorting expertise of Key Technology, Multiscan and WECO under unified product management,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President – Food Sorting and Handling.

“This strategic consolidation allows us to accelerate innovation while fostering better collaboration between our teams, delivering superior equipment and aftermarket services that give our customers stronger competitive advantages.”

Ekkaia takes on this role with more than 15 years of experience in automation and food processing equipment. He has worked in product management at several companies, most recently as an independent consultant helping firms with strategies that include artificial intelligence.

Before that, he spent close to seven years at Bühler, where he served in multiple leadership roles including Global Product Management Director.

He holds an MBA from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

He also earned a product management certificate from the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to his academic background, Ekkaia is named on several patents in the field.

Ekkaia’s vision for the future of sorting technology focuses on better use of data and increased traceability.

“Optical sorters represent a unique data leverage point because they inspect every single object that passes through the line – every nut, every blueberry, every french fry,” he said.

“Food processors are seeking sorting solutions that go beyond basic defect and foreign material removal, including AI-driven capabilities and sophisticated data analytics that can achieve more traceability and reveal otherwise undetected patterns.”

He added that his motivation remains personal. “Ultimately, what motivates me every day is knowing the products our sorters inspect go on to feed families just like mine. It’s a privilege to help advance technologies that contribute to safer, better food for everyone.”

Frozen potato demand reshaping freezing technology

In the same industry space, technology makers are adjusting to rising global demand for frozen potato products, especially French fries and other processed forms.

According to FPS Food Process Solutions, the market for food refrigeration equipment could double between 2023 and 2034, growing from USD 44.3 billion to USD 88.2 billion.

Canadian-based FPS and Germany’s GEA Group are among the companies responding with solutions focused on energy savings, consistency, and product quality.

Their IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) equipment helps preserve texture and flavor while meeting high output demands.

FPS President Jeffrey Chang said processors expect full-service partners. “Today’s customers in the potato industry know what they want… and it makes plain sense that they want a partner they can trust to handle complete solutions for them,” he noted.

As more processors operate across multiple locations and power sources, engineering for reliability and long-term value has become central.

The push toward better freezing solutions shows how global processors are matching technology with the demands of a competitive food system.

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