Gills Onions in Oxnard, CA, USA, is considered one of the largest innovative and sustainable onion processors in the world. From its growing practices to its commitment to zero waste, Gills is devoted to providing the highest-quality, value-added onion products with the lowest environmental impact. With a growing international presence, Gills needed a trusted technology partner in onion processing — and that is where Sormac comes in.
As a global leader in fresh produce equipment, Sormac redefines industry standards, making vegetable processing more reliable and efficient while ensuring operational continuity and peace of mind. With advanced processing technology and in-depth expertise, Sormac supports customers in improving their efficiency and profitability.
Steven Gill, owner and president of Gills Onions, chose Sormac solutions for onion processing due to their hygienic machine design, efficiency, ease of operation and the extensive knowledge of the Sormac team. Gills uses Sormac’s Onion Peeler USM-H100, as well as their washing and drying line for diced onions.
Designed for performance and premium hygiene, the USM-H100 offers excellent accessibility and significantly reduced cleaning times. It is easy to operate and adjust during production and contains fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs. The machine delivers an outstanding peeling result, supports a wider size range and operates with reduced noise and air consumption.
Why Gills Onions chooses Sormac
“We switched to this peeler because of the efficiency of the machine when peeling the onions, and the air and power consumption are extremely efficient compared to other machines. It offers up to 40% lower energy and air consumption than similar machines and is designed on one level, ensuring that working with and adjusting the machine is seamless for operators.”
Steven Gill, owner and president of Gills Onions
Juliel Montes, plant engineer and maintenance manager at Gills Onions, has worked at Gills for nearly five years, managing and operating Sormac equipment. “On the operational side, our efficiency and yield have increased remarkably since using the Sormac solutions,” Montes said. “We are impressed with the yield improvements we have achieved with the Onion Peeler USM-H100.”
“At Gills, millions of kilograms of onions are peeled each year. This is significant not only for our operational performance but also for the environment. Higher yield means less waste,” Montes said.
He adds that the expertise and knowledge the Sormac team brings is invaluable, supporting smooth operations while maintaining quality and control.
Efficiency, cleanability and ease of operation
“We definitely recommend the USM-H100 to others due to the efficiency of the machine, its cleanability d the ease of operation.”
Steven Gill, owner and president of Gills Onions
Alongside the Onion Peeler, Gills has chosen the Sormac washing and drying line thanks to its high capacity, efficient drying performance (residual moisture levels) and gentle handling of the product, which contributes to longer shelf life.
For Gills, every improvement in production is a step towards their ultimate goal — a more sustainable planet. With Sormac’s Onion Peeler USM-H100 and the washing and drying line, they continue to demonstrate that innovation, technology and expertise deliver smarter solutions and better products
