Ibérica de Patatas, one of Spain’s leading fresh potato suppliers, has completed a major upgrade of its processing operations in collaboration with Wyma, a global provider of post-harvest solutions. The project—conducted without halting production—saw the company replace an outdated, manual line at its Mercamadrid facility with a modern, automated system tailored to its round-the-clock operations and spatial constraints.

According to Wyma’s official case study, the custom-built line delivers greater output, improves product consistency, and significantly reduces labour, water, and energy use. The project’s success has already laid the groundwork for a third line, which is currently in the design phase.

Founded over 50 years ago, the family-owned Ibérica de Patatas serves a wide customer base ranging from supermarkets and wholesalers to traditional markets and the HORECA sector. The company manages its supply chain—from storage and packaging to retail distribution—directly from Mercamadrid, Spain’s largest wholesale food market.

“For me, the most important outcomes have been the quality of the final product and the productivity we’re achieving… and also the reduction in staff,” said Pablo Jiménez, CEO of Ibérica de Patatas.

The modernisation effort addressed multiple logistical challenges. Wyma’s engineers worked within the facility’s tight footprint and coordinated phased installations to avoid downtime. Cranes were used to manoeuvre heavy machinery into position while adjacent operations remained fully functional.

Wyma’s solution not only met Iberica’s demand for uninterrupted production but also improved control over waste and efficiency. The company’s investment reflects a broader industry trend: the shift from labour-intensive handling to precision-driven, automated solutions capable of supporting year-round quality and competitiveness.

“Wyma is a company you can work with hand-in-hand, to collaborate and grow,” Jiménez added.

With increasing pressure to meet consumer expectations while containing operational costs, Iberica de Patatas is now better positioned to deliver sustainable performance and explore further technological innovation.