Mayekawa Group Celebrates 30 Years of TORIDAS: From Refrigeration to Automated Deboning Excellence The Mayekawa Group, a global leader in refrigeration and food industry technology, is proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its pioneering TORIDAS automatic chicken deboning machine. With a legacy of innovation that spans 100 years, culminating in its centennial celebration in 2024, Mayekawa has consistently pushed the boundaries of automation in the food industry. Thirty years ago, in 1994, Mayekawa introduced TORIDAS, the world’s first fully automatic chicken thigh and drumstick deboning machine. This breakthrough came in response to concerns from poultry industry customers in Japan, who anticipated a future shortage of skilled workers to manually debone chicken thighs. Understanding this challenge, Mayekawa’s engineering team dedicated significant time and effort to replicate the intricate hand movements of skilled butchers, resulting in the creation of TORIDAS. A Legacy of Innovation Masaharu Sasaki, a seasoned sales consultant with 50 years at Mayekawa, recalls the journey: “Our customers needed a solution to replace the manual deboning process. The development team not only took this challenge seriously but immersed themselves in poultry processing environments to create a machine that could mimic human precision. This dedication led to the birth of TORIDAS, which today is a global success.” Prior to TORIDAS, Mayekawa had developed a prototype deboning machine called Momoe-chan in 1986. While innovative, it lacked the automation features that would later define the TORIDAS line. The success of TORIDAS paved the way for an expanded range of automated deboning machines designed to meet the diverse needs of the meat industry. Expanding the Portfolio Following the success of TORIDAS, Mayekawa naturally expanded its offerings to include automated machines for other types of meat deboning. This led to the development of: Yileldas: An automated chicken breast deboning machine. Wingdas: Designed for deboning chicken wing drumsticks. Takidas: Tailored for turkey thighs and drumsticks. Hamdas: For deboning pork shanks. Wandas: Created specifically for deboning pork shoulder. In addition to these innovations, Mayekawa has continued to refine the TORIDAS line, introducing the TORIDAS MARK II and currently developing the TORIDAS MARK III. The upcoming MARK III will offer a 50% increase in capacity, a higher yield of around 4 to 5 grams, and the ability to debone 1,500 legs per hour, setting a new standard in the industry. Commitment to Excellence “The entire TORIDAS line meets the rigorous demands of the meatpacking industry, combining excellent performance with cutting-edge technology and innovation,” says Sasaki. “Mayekawa is committed to upholding the highest standards of manufacturing practices, ensuring our equipment delivers both safety and superior efficiency.” As Mayekawa looks to the future, its commitment to innovation and quality continues to drive its success in the food industry, making the TORIDAS and its related products indispensable tools for meat processing worldwide. About Mayekawa Group Founded in 1924, the Mayekawa Group is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in industrial refrigeration, food processing machinery, and related fields. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, the company remains at the forefront of technological innovation, delivering solutions that enhance productivity and quality across various industries.
