Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group has appointed Dean Ekkaia as director of product management for optical sorting solutions. In this role, he manages global activities that support development and sales of advanced sorting technologies that help food processors and packers optimize product quality, increase yield and maximize production efficiencies.
“For the first time, we’re combining the optical sorting expertise of Key Technology, Multiscan and WECO under unified product management. 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,” said Jack Lee, president for food sorting and handling for the Downers Grove, Illinois, USA-headquartered Duravant Group. “Dean’s proven track record of growing product lines and translating complex technology into practical customer-focused solutions makes him uniquely qualified to guide these industry-leading brands.”
Ekkaia brings more than 15 years of experience in product management and leadership for automation and food processing equipment to the job. Most recently, he served as an independent consultant advising on industrial product management strategies including AI adoption. Prior to that, he spent nearly seven years at Bühler in product management leadership roles, including the position of global product management director.
“Optical sorters represent a unique data leverage point because they inspect every single object that passes through the line – every french fry, every blueberry, every nut. 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,” said Ekkaia.
