OPENING CEREMONY
Essa Al Ghurair
Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair is one of the leading business entrepreneurs in the region due to his extensive experience in industrial manufacturing and commodities trading in international markets. His vision and business strategies have resulted in the growth of various companies, e.g. Dubai Oil Mills (one of the largest canola and soya crushing plants in the MENA region), National Flour Mills and Al Ghurair Resources, (which are of the largest business entities in the greater Al Ghurair Family and a major supplier in the field of agricultural commodities).
Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Essa Al Ghurair Investment, also serves as the General Manager of Karam Foods Industries. In addition, Essa Al Ghurair is a major shareholder in Prime HealthCare Group, one of the leading healthcare providers in the UAE, which aims to be the most respected healthcare provider in the region. His team is also involved in a vertical farming research project in Dubai.
Essa Al Ghurair is also:
• Chairman of Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation
• Chairman of Board Member of Binladin Contracting Group
• Chairman of Tharawat Family Business Forum
• Board Member of Canada UAE Business Council
• Board Member of M/s. First Mills Company, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
WELCOME SPEECH
Essa Al Ghurair
IAOM MEA 2024 Conference Chairman
Chairman, Essa Al-Ghurair Investments LLC (UAE)
Ali Habaj
Ali Habaj holds an M.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Bristol, UK and a General Management Program for top executives from Harvard University, USA to add to his credentials. Having worked in Oman for over 23 years in management roles, he possesses rich experience of which he led Oman Flour Mills Co. SAOG (OFM) and Atyab Investments from 2000 to 2017. During Habaj’s tenure at OFM, the company’s workforce grew from 220 to 1,500 employees. It was under his leadership that Atyab Investments was created, an investment arm focused on value addition through downstream industries. This is evidenced by a notable achievement in revenue growth from 60 Mn USD in 2010 to 220 Mn USD in 2016. Atyab Investments built Oman’s largest industrial bakery and successfully turned around the country’s major poultry farms- broiler and layer facilities. In addition to this, Atyab Investments is setting up new milling and Grain silo facilities in the Industrial Port of Sohar. During the first half of this financial year, the group’s profits grew by 47% compared to the previous year and this robust growth will be seen in the second half as well. The company will continue with its 5-year vision of investing US $1 Billion in the food sector. He continues to be involved in the industry through different board positions and consultancy assignments for the flour milling industry. He is an active member of the Young President Organization (YPO), held the position of chairman for YPO Oman from 2015-2016 and is the elected Chairman for YPO MENA Gold Regional Chair 2022-2024
OPENING SPEECH
Ali Habaj
Regional Director
IAOM MEA (Sultanate of Oman)
Mohamed Islam Ali
Muhammad Islam is the director of Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd; the largest millers of maize and wheat flour in Kenya.
A family business founded in 1978 by two brothers; Islam Ali and Ahmad Ali, his father and uncle respectively.
Inspired by this heritage, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Economics to honour and expand upon his forebears’ foundation.
Shaped by the wisdom and support of his family, especially his father and older brother Ali Islam, Muhammad embarked on a mission to transform their family’s milling business. He spearheaded its tremendous growth; increasing its maize milling capacity from 300 tonnes to an impressive 1,470 tonnes, and wheat milling from 180 tonnes to 2,260 tonnes.
As a Muslim, Muhammad believes that faith and integrity are the cornerstones of his life and that true success is measured by the growth and positive impact we create around us.
He hopes to be remembered not just for the milestones, but for the values and perseverance that fuelled his journey.
Looking to the future, Muhammad envisions expanding Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd into a multinational company, bringing his family’s legacy of excellence to new horizons.
IAOM MEA REGIONAL LEADER AWARDEE
Muhammad Islam Ali
Director
Mombasa Maize Millers (Kenya)
Abdel Moniem Salem
IAOM MEA MILLER OF THE YEAR
Abdel Moniem Salem
Senior Engineering Advisor
Essa Al Ghurair Investment LLC (UAE)
Rania Ali
Renowned as the leading bilingual female presenter and MC in the UAE,
Rania Ali has carved a distinguished career on both international and local stages. Her award-winning accomplishments, including Best Female MC in Dubai from the Star Performer Awards and Favorite MC of the Year from FILMFARE, solidify her position as a sought-after talent. As a seasoned television presenter on Al Aan TV and a frequent speaker for the UAE Ministry of Economy, Rania has graced events attended by prominent figures such as H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other world leaders. Her expertise in public speaking and her ability to connect with diverse audiences have made her a highly respected figure in the Middle East region.
Beyond her on-screen presence, Rania is a certified TV Presenter from London Academy Media Film TV and holds an MBA from the University of Wollongong Australia. Her extensive experience in various business fields, coupled with her exceptional communication skills, make her the ideal choice for corporate events and presentations. As a communication educator and founder of the Professional Speaking Academy, Rania empowers individuals and organizations to enhance their public speaking abilities. Her expertise in media training, presentation skills, and public speaking has benefited numerous CEOs, business leaders, and corporate clients.
With a substantial social media following of 1.8 million engaged followers, Rania is a prominent influencer and recipient of the prestigious Women’s Global Conference’s “Most Influential Women’s Award.” Her impact extends far beyond her on-screen appearances, making her a true global voice of influence.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Rania Ali
International TV Presenter & Event MC (UAE)
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dan Basse
Daniel Basse is the President of AgResource Company. AgResource Co. is a domestic and international agricultural research firm located in Chicago, which forecasts domestic and world agricultural price trends. AgResource Co. provides information/research to; farmers, elevators, soy and corn processors, wheat millers, food companies, trading companies, importers, exporters and meat packers. AgResource’s research is sold around the globe in 81 nations. Mr Basse is an economist who has been in the commodity business since 1979. Raised on a dairy/grain farm in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mr Basse has a keen sense of production agriculture. Mr. Basse graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979 and has worked with Professional Farmers of America, Brock Associates and the ag research division of GNP Commodities in Chicago. In 1987, Mr Basse founded AgResource Company to serve the needs of the US and world agricultural community. Mr. Basse is a member of the Farm Foundation and the Commodity Market Council.
GEOPOLITICS AND WORLD WHEAT IMPORTER DEMAND DRIVES 2024/2025 GRAIN PRICES - A REVIEW OF THE WORLD WHEAT SITUATION
Dan Basse
President & Founder
AgResource Co. (USA)
Riaz Shah
Riaz Shah, BSc (Hons), FCA, FRSA, OBE
Riaz is Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership at Hult International Business School. Until recently he was a Partner for 27 years at EY, where he served clients in Assurance and Technology Consulting and led various business units. His last role was Global Learning Leader, preparing EY’s 400,000 people for the future of work.
His interests are in technology, education and enterprise, and Riaz is engaged in a portfolio of projects, including advising several CEOs, working with governments on education and entrepreneurship initiatives, and hosting tech programs for senior executives in Silicon Valley.
Riaz founded the One Degree Academy, a school in a disadvantaged area of London, and in 2023 he was awarded an OBE for Services to Education by HM King Charles.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING - HOW ABOUT US
Riaz Shah, OBE
Professor of Practice, Innovation & Leadership
Hult International Business School (UK)
Dr. Hischam El-Agamy
As Executive Director of IMD, Hischam El Agamy is responsible for IMD’s activities in Africa, the Middle East, and South-Central Asia, where he teaches and leads development programs. El Agamy’s expertise and teaching experience include scenario planning, business transformation, family business transformation, public-private partnership, and stakeholder engagement. He teaches regularly in IMD custom programs and has taught several IMD open programs, including its EMBA and MBA programs.
For over 14 years, El Agamy has occupied various international functions in seven European countries as part of a long career with major Swiss multinational corporations in Zürich. During these years, he has driven a number of business transformation initiatives in several European countries.
He has contributed to several advisory assignments for governments in the Gulf region and in the area of competitiveness and human capital development for the government of South Africa.
El Agamy obtained two master’s degrees in applied science from the University of Fribourg and Lausanne in Switzerland. He received his Doctorate from the University of Pierre & Marie Curie in Paris.
MEGATRENDS SHAPING THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD
Dr. Hischam El-Agamy
Executive Director,
IMD Business School (Switzerland)
PANEL DISCUSSION - HOW TO MANAGE RISK IN A DYNAMIC POLITICAL WORLD AS GRAIN TRADING TITANS DISCUSS WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2025
Dan Basse
Daniel Basse is the President of AgResource Company. AgResource Co. is a domestic and international agricultural research firm located in Chicago, which forecasts domestic and world agricultural price trends. AgResource Co. provides information/research to; farmers, elevators, soy and corn processors, wheat millers, food companies, trading companies, importers, exporters and meat packers. AgResource’s research is sold around the globe in 81 nations. Mr Basse is an economist who has been in the commodity business since 1979. Raised on a dairy/grain farm in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mr Basse has a keen sense of production agriculture. Mr. Basse graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979 and has worked with Professional Farmers of America, Brock Associates and the ag research division of GNP Commodities in Chicago. In 1987, Mr Basse founded AgResource Company to serve the needs of the US and world agricultural community. Mr. Basse is a member of the Farm Foundation and the Commodity Market Council.
MODERATOR
Dan Basse
President & Founder
AgResource Co. (USA)
Merzad Jamshidi
Having had more than 20 years’ experience in running flour mills, Jamshidi is currently the CEO and Chairman of KFF Mills. He started his milling career back in 1993 at KSU and now he is running two mills with production capacity of 800 tons a day. Jamshidi has also been essential in having IAOM MEA region become one of the largest and most active in the world. He has been awarded the (George Kehr Memorial Award) for his outstanding performance in improving membership. KFF Mills was the first in Iran to participate in flour fortification program in 2005 which became nationwide mandatory for all flour mills. It was recognized in Istanbul at the FFI conference to receive -Leadership Award- for the performance and the success in fortification. KFFs strategy and success in milling has been to tailor make base products per customer – building on the market demand during COVID crisis to supply directly to end consumers through e-commerce platform. His most recent project is to create the north -south corridor by rail from CIS countries transiting directly to the Persian Gulf by building a 40,000-ton silo and rail loading capability at Caspian port.
Merzad Jamshidi
Managing Director,Khousheh Fars Flour Mills & Chairman, IAOM MEA
Ahmed Abid
Abid has over 20 years’ market experience across various commodities trading and procurement, split between the agricultural and financial sectors. In early career, Abid worked for derivatives exchanges in research and business development roles and later spent 11 years in UAE mainly as commodities director responsible for procurement of agricultural commodities for Agthia Group, one of the largest food and beverages groups in the Middle East. Abid joined CBH Group’s Marketing and Trading division in 2018 and managed the team of relationship managers and dealt directly with key customers in Middle East & Africa.
Background on CBH – CBH Group is Australia’s largest co-operative, owned by approximately 3,500 grower members. CBH is Australia’s largest grain exporter, regularly exporting to approximately 300 customers in around 30 countries globally. CBH’s supply chain handles an average export task of around 16m tonnes annually, with wheat, barley, canola, lupins and oats the predominant commodities exported.
Abid Ahmed
Manager –
International Marketing (Australia)
Pieter Defoor
Pieter Defoor is Marketing Manager Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Viterra, one of the world’s leading agriculture networks. An experienced marketer of agricultural commodities and products, Pieter drives Viterra’s market presence across the regions of North Africa, the East Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
Based at the company’s headquarters in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Pieter started his career at Viterra 12 years ago. He honed his skills on the grains marketing desk, initially focused on the Maghreb, and has since broadened his range across the MENA region.
Pieter specializes in developing comprehensive strategies for the distribution of grains, with a focus on wheat, corn, barley, and oilseeds. His expertise allows him to analyze and anticipate market trends, based on the intricate political developments that influence supply and demand across the grain industry.
His experience in regions known for political and economic fluctuations has given him a deep understanding of the nuances involved in mitigating risk. Dealing with both private importers and government agencies, his insights are invaluable to those navigating the complexities of this industry.
Pieter Defoor
Marketing Manager MENA,
Viterra (Netherlands)
Ieva Serksnyte
Ieva Serksnyte
Senior Trader,
ME Solaris Commodities (UAE)
MARKET OUTLOOKS
Dan Basse
Daniel Basse is the President of AgResource Company. AgResource Co. is a domestic and international agricultural research firm located in Chicago, which forecasts domestic and world agricultural price trends. AgResource Co. provides information/research to; farmers, elevators, soy and corn processors, wheat millers, food companies, trading companies, importers, exporters and meat packers. AgResource’s research is sold around the globe in 81 nations. Mr Basse is an economist who has been in the commodity business since 1979. Raised on a dairy/grain farm in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mr Basse has a keen sense of production agriculture. Mr. Basse graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979 and has worked with Professional Farmers of America, Brock Associates and the ag research division of GNP Commodities in Chicago. In 1987, Mr Basse founded AgResource Company to serve the needs of the US and world agricultural community. Mr. Basse is a member of the Farm Foundation and the Commodity Market Council.
MODERATOR
Dan Basse
President & Founder
AgResource Co. (USA)
Roland Guiragossian
Roland Guiragossian: Middle East & Algeria Manager for Intercereales (ex-France Export Cereales) since 2009. Previously worked in various Multinational Companies (Agfa, Coca-Cola, Danone) in Sales, Operations and Supply Chain Management positions. Holds a Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration, Management Institute (IAE) of Grenoble (France) & Post Graduate Degree in International Business (CECE-French Center for Foreign Trade)- Marseille (France). Based in Cairo (Egypt)
FRENCH MARKET OUTLOOK
Roland Guiragossian
Algeria & Middle East Manager,
Intercereales (Egypt)
Indrek Aigro
Indrek Aigro has been involved with the international grain business since 2003. For the last 15 years he has been working for Copenhagen Merchants which has become one of the largest grain & oilseed brokers in the world. Indrek is currently responsible for the brokerage in Copenhagen Merchants and business development – which includes continuous expansion of the geographical scope of the business and digitalization of the old fashioned grain business – initiatives like CM Navigator.
BLACK SEA MARKET OUTLOOK
Indrek Aigro
Head of Grains,
Copenhagen Merchants (Denmark)
Jeffrey McPike
With over four decades of experience in the industry, Jeffrey McPike has worked for a global trading house, a leading investment bank, supply chain companies in Egypt and the EU, and a physical brokerage firm. Jeffrey has traded in the physical, derivatives, and over-the-counter markets and now advises clients around the world on risk management, purchasing strategies, and supply chain issues. A graduate of Yale University. Jeffrey now works with WASEDA Commodities Inc and resides in Denver, Colorado.
CANADIAN MARKET OUTLOOK
Jeffrey McPike
Broker/Analyst,
WASEDA Commodities, Inc. (USA)
Ian Flagg
Ian Flagg is the Regional Vice President of USW Associates Rotterdam for Europe, Middle East, and North Africa based at the regional headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Before accepting his current position, Flagg was the Assistant Regional Director in Cairo, Egypt, the market analyst at the headquarters of Arlington, VA, and was deputy director of the West Coast, Portland, OR, where he was responsible for the liaison work between the grain trade and state wheat commissions. He chaired the foreign visits of trade delegations and met the needs of 16 overseas offices. Flagg joined US Wheat Associates in 2005. Prior to joining USW, Flagg has worked as a Research Assistant at North Dakota State University. Flagg holds and MS degree in agribusiness and applied economics from the same university.
US MARKET OUTLOOK
Ian Flagg
Regional Vice President,
U.S. Wheat Associates (Netherlands)
Don Campbell
AUSTRALIAN MARKET OUTLOOK
Don Campbell
General Manager-International,
GrainCorp (Australia)
Sumit Gupta
Sumit Gupta is a Qualified Gafta Arbitrator, Certified Technical Analyst From CFTe US, and MBA from IIFT Delhi & a Alumnus of Harvard Business School.
He was also selected for Chevening Fellowship Oxford University. He has completed ESG certification from CFA institute, US. He started his career with Cargill India in 2004 to set up a corn business in India, where he worked till 2013. Joined Olam in 2013 to work on Global trading desk. He started the Asia office of Mcdonald Pelz Global Commodities in 2014. He has Twenty years of experience in the field of Commodities trading and Asian Markets Research
INDIAN MARKET OUTLOOK
Sumit Gupta
CEO – Asia Business,
Mcdonald Pelz (India)
PANEL DISCUSSION - TÜRKİYE SURPRISINGLY BANS WHEAT IMPORTS: IS THERE A STRUCTURAL MARGIN IMPACT ON TURKISH AND MEA MILLERS?
Dan Basse
Daniel Basse is the President of AgResource Company. AgResource Co. is a domestic and international agricultural research firm located in Chicago, which forecasts domestic and world agricultural price trends. AgResource Co. provides information/research to; farmers, elevators, soy and corn processors, wheat millers, food companies, trading companies, importers, exporters and meat packers. AgResource’s research is sold around the globe in 81 nations. Mr Basse is an economist who has been in the commodity business since 1979. Raised on a dairy/grain farm in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mr Basse has a keen sense of production agriculture. Mr. Basse graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979 and has worked with Professional Farmers of America, Brock Associates and the ag research division of GNP Commodities in Chicago. In 1987, Mr Basse founded AgResource Company to serve the needs of the US and world agricultural community. Mr. Basse is a member of the Farm Foundation and the Commodity Market Council.
MODERATOR
Dan Basse
President & Founder
AgResource Co. (USA)
Mohamed Islam Ali
Muhammad Islam is the director of Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd; the largest millers of maize and wheat flour in Kenya.
A family business founded in 1978 by two brothers; Islam Ali and Ahmad Ali, his father and uncle respectively.
Inspired by this heritage, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Economics to honour and expand upon his forebears’ foundation.
Shaped by the wisdom and support of his family, especially his father and older brother Ali Islam, Muhammad embarked on a mission to transform their family’s milling business. He spearheaded its tremendous growth; increasing its maize milling capacity from 300 tonnes to an impressive 1,470 tonnes, and wheat milling from 180 tonnes to 2,260 tonnes.
As a Muslim, Muhammad believes that faith and integrity are the cornerstones of his life and that true success is measured by the growth and positive impact we create around us.
He hopes to be remembered not just for the milestones, but for the values and perseverance that fuelled his journey.
Looking to the future, Muhammad envisions expanding Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd into a multinational company, bringing his family’s legacy of excellence to new horizons.
Muhammad Islam Ali
Director
Mombasa Maize Millers
(Kenya)
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Honorary Consul of The Republic of Indonesia Samsun
Businessperson and entrepreneur Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy is the Chairman of the Board of Ulusoy Flour and Söke Milling Companies. He is also Indonesia’s Honorary Consul in Samsun.
Eren Günhan Ulusoy, born in Samsun in 1981; he graduated from Samsun Anatolian High School in 1999 and from Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration in 2003. After completing his master’s degree in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Department of Agricultural Economics in 2014, he completed his doctorate in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Department of Agricultural Economics in 2021.
Dr. Eren Gunhan Ulusoy; takes an active part as a speaker and trainer in the fields of financial analysis, risk management, strategic decision making and supply chain management at conferences held in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Ulusoy, who held important positions in many sectoral and social associations; served as the Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF) between the years of 2015-2022. Currently, he is the Chairman of the International Association of Millers (IAOM) Eurasia Region Management Council, the Chairman of the Black Sea Grains, Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters’ Association (KİB) and Samsun Free Zone Operator Inc. (SASBAŞ) Board Member.
He is shown among the 40 most powerful CEOs under the age of 40 in Turkey by different media outlets, including Forbes, Fortune and Economist publications.
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Director, IAOM Eurasia Region
Chairman of Board,
Ulusoy Flour Mills (Türkiye)
Nicolas Tsikhlakis
CEO and Chairman of the Board of Modern Flour Mills and Macaroni Factories in Amman, Jordan, until Nov. 2024. The Company operates a flour mill, pasta production plant, and snacks food production employing 300 personnel.
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Good Harvest Investment Company. Good Harvest Investment Co. owns and operates a bakery and a chain of Bistro & bakery cafes under the brand name Crumz.
Mr. Tsikhlakis holds a BS degree in Biology from the University of Miami and a Masters degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Jordan and a milling engineering degree from the Swiss School of Milling at St. Gallen , He has acquired additional expertise in Commodity Price Management, Grain Marketing and Export, Wheat Grading and Inspection (US Department of Agriculture), Grain Storage and Handling (US Wheat Associates) and Commodity Price Management (Chicago Board of Trade).
Chairman of the Union of Grain Millers Cooperative in Jordan and a member of the Jordanian Nutrition Higher Council.
Vice Chairman of the Tourism Sector Skills Council
Served as a member of the Board of Directors of the IAOM (International Association of Operative Millers) – Middle East and East Africa District and member of the educational committee.
Served on the board of directors of GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and on the Executive management team of FFI (Flour Fortification Initiative).
Nicolas Tsikhlakis
Chairman,
The Jordanian Grain & Flour Mills
Association (Jordan)
Mandeep Singh Bindra
Mandeep Singh Bindra leads Emirates Grain Products. He influences the entire value chain right from procurement of the Grains to the last mile distribution and application of the Flour.
Mandeep’s 25 plus years of active technical and commercial experience (India & UAE) in the trade and manufacturing has enabled him to develop a unique Specialist’s perspective that has stood the test of time over many years. His active engagement across the value chain has helped him build his network over a wide spectrum of Grains business fraternity.
Mandeep Singh Bindra
General Manager,
Emirates Grain Products – An IFFCO Group Company (UAE)
RUSSIAN GRAIN INSIGHTS
Eduard Zernin
Started his professional career in investment banking in 1993. Eduard was actively involved in the Russian debt capital market (DCM) creation, then implemented a number of successful M&A transactions and turnaround projects in several industries.
In 2011, he headed the Board of Directors of BIO-TON Agri Corp., which under his leadership became the largest grain producer in the Volga Valley and the largest sunflower producer in Russia. BIO-TON cultivates more than 550,000 HA of arable land in the Volga Valley and Southern Russia and is among the top-10 largest Russian crop and seed producers.
In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Executive Board of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (RUSGRAIN UNION), which unites the largest Russian and international companies that collectively export about 80% of grain of Russian origin.
THE TRANSITION FROM WHEAT IMPORTER TO WORLD'S LARGEST WHEAT EXPORTER - WHAT'S NEXT IN THIS GROWTH STORY?
Eduard Zernin
Chairman of the Executive Board, RUSGRAIN UNION –
The Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (Russia)
Igor Pavensky
Education
In 1998, he graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy of Kiev National University
In 2021 he received a PhD in Economics from the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Professional experience
Since 2001 a specialist in the Department of Regulation of Food Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.
Since 2022 a leading grain expert at the analytical agency IKAR.
Since 2008 Head of the market analysis department of railway hoppers operator Rusagrotrans.
Since 2013 Deputy head of Rusagrotrans marketing division
Since 2017 Head of Rusagrotrans marketing division
Since 2021 Head of Agricultural Markets Research
PRODUCTION AND EXPORT OUTLOOK - HOW TECHNOLOGY AND CUSTOMER DEMAND IS SHAPING WHAT RUSSIA GROWS, WHERE IT IS GROWN, AND WHERE IT IS EXPORTED FROM?
Igor Pavensky
Head of Agricultural Markets Research – Head of Rusagrotrans Marketing Division, Demetra Holdings (Russia)
PANEL DISCUSSION - RUSSIAN GRAIN INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AND OUTLOOK
Stanislav Ognev
He completed his studies at Cass Business School in London and then spent nearly ten years with Viterra in Rotterdam, specializing in the Grains Desk. For the past three and a half years, he has served as the Senior Trader at Solaris.
MODERATOR
Stas Ognev
Senior Trader,
ME Solaris Commodities (UAE)
Ilya Aliev
Graduated from Moscow Commercial University with a degree in Trade and Enterprise Management, fluent in English.
Experience:
Ilia has extensive experience in management roles within major international agribusiness companies.
- 1996 – 1997 – Cargill Enterprises Inc., Moscow, Trader in the Oilseed Processing Department
- 1997 – 1998 – LLC “Alpha-Eco,” Project Head for Oilseed Processing and Trading
- 1998 – 2000 – Oleina S.A., Regional Network Head for the Import and Distribution of Vegetable Oils
- 2000 – 2005 – Louis Dreyfus Company LLC, Senior Trader
- 2005 – 2013 – Bunge CIS LLC, Head of the Oilseed Processing Division
- 2013 – 2020 – Louis Dreyfus Company LLC, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
- 2020 – 2022 – Demetra-Holding LLC, Procurement and Trading Director
- 2022 – Present – CEO of Grain Gates LLC
Ilia Aliev
CEO,
Grain Gates LLC (Russia)
Eduard Zernin
Started his professional career in investment banking in 1993. Eduard was actively involved in the Russian debt capital market (DCM) creation, then implemented a number of successful M&A transactions and turnaround projects in several industries.
In 2011, he headed the Board of Directors of BIO-TON Agri Corp., which under his leadership became the largest grain producer in the Volga Valley and the largest sunflower producer in Russia. BIO-TON cultivates more than 550,000 HA of arable land in the Volga Valley and Southern Russia and is among the top-10 largest Russian crop and seed producers.
In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Executive Board of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (RUSGRAIN UNION), which unites the largest Russian and international companies that collectively export about 80% of grain of Russian origin.
Eduard Zernin
Chairman of the Executive Board,
RUSGRAIN UNION – The Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers (Russia)
Michel Meyer
Michel has 35 years’ experience in commodities primarily focused on the Middle East and African sectors. He began his career with Cargill in 1990. During his 30 years at Cargill, he worked in various roles including, grain trader, forex trader, North Africa area manager, country manager in Kazakhstan, petroleum project finance, and from 2000 to 2019 he managed the Middle East & Africa Department of Cargill’s Grains and Oilseeds Trading division. His responsibilities included handling and overseeing the trade, operations and business development of grains and oilseed products (primarily Black Sea, West Europe, North and South America) to state owned entities, flour millers, feed millers and distribution companies in the Middle East and Africa. He also developed various investment projects in the sector with a view of optimizing the supply chain of commodities, developed Cargill Egypt via the acquisition and construction of a crush plant (NVO) and a port elevator in Dekheila (NSC).
In 2020, Michel decided to embark on a new challenge and joined Invictus Trading. Since joining Invictus, he has actively contributed to its growth by helping to create and develop grain & oilseed trading activities throughout the Middle East and Africa, focus on business development, helping Invictus to become an integrated agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and throughout Africa and to establish a larger presence in Africa to tap into the growing demand for food products across the continent. The acquisition of 60% of Graderco in Morocco in early 2024 and the on-going acquisition (subject to necessary regulatory approvals) of 100% of Merec in Mozambique have been the most recent business development focus.
Michel Meyer
Head of Grains,
Invictus Trading FZE (UAE)
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Honorary Consul of The Republic of Indonesia Samsun
Businessperson and entrepreneur Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy is the Chairman of the Board of Ulusoy Flour and Söke Milling Companies. He is also Indonesia’s Honorary Consul in Samsun.
Eren Günhan Ulusoy, born in Samsun in 1981; he graduated from Samsun Anatolian High School in 1999 and from Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration in 2003. After completing his master’s degree in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Department of Agricultural Economics in 2014, he completed his doctorate in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Department of Agricultural Economics in 2021.
Dr. Eren Gunhan Ulusoy; takes an active part as a speaker and trainer in the fields of financial analysis, risk management, strategic decision making and supply chain management at conferences held in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Ulusoy, who held important positions in many sectoral and social associations; served as the Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF) between the years of 2015-2022. Currently, he is the Chairman of the International Association of Millers (IAOM) Eurasia Region Management Council, the Chairman of the Black Sea Grains, Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters’ Association (KİB) and Samsun Free Zone Operator Inc. (SASBAŞ) Board Member.
He is shown among the 40 most powerful CEOs under the age of 40 in Turkey by different media outlets, including Forbes, Fortune and Economist publications.
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Director, IAOM Eurasia Region
Chairman of Board,
Ulusoy Flour Mills (Türkiye)
Oga Venkat
Oga started in the trading industry in 1986 in Geneva with Amoco before joining Cargill in 1989. He comes from a background in transportation and logistics. From 1990 till 1997 he worked on the Middle East and Africa desk in charge of various countries, before joining Tradigrain Geneva from 1997 till 2002 and then the Australian Wheat Board Geneva from 2002 till 2005 in similar positions. He rejoined the Cargill Africa and Middle East desk in 2005. Marketing and trading within the Middle East and African region has always been his passion. Since early 2020 he is heading the Middle East and Africa desk for the World Trading Group of Cargill Geneva. He has been a regular at the IAOM MEA conferences since 1993 in Beirut.
Oga Venkat
Desk Head – Middle East & Africa,
World Trading Group, Cargill International SA (Switzerland)
MILLING EFFICIENCY AND EDUCATION
Julius Ndunga
MODERATOR
Julius Ndunga
Mill Manager,
Bakhresa Grain Milling Ltd. (Rwanda)
Dr. Secil Uzel
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Secil UZEL serves as the Supervisor of Alapala Academy, where they oversee educational programs aimed at developing skilled professionals in the milling industry. In addition to their role at Alapala Academy, Dr. UZEL is an Associate Professor at Hitit University, Department of Food Engineering. Their research focuses on wheat milling technology, dough rheology, wheat chemistry, and quality control and safety of cereals. With extensive expertise in food engineering and milling technology, Dr. UZEL is dedicated to advancing industry knowledge through research, education, and practical training. Their work bridges the gap between academic research and industry application, contributing significantly to the field of food engineering and flour mill management.
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: EDUCATION'S ROLE IN FLOUR MILL MANAGEMENT
Dr. Secil Uzel
Alapala Academy Supervisor
Associate Prof. – Food Engineering Department, Hitit University (Türkiye)
Priscilla Bakalian
Priscilla Bakalian is the Head of the African Milling School in Nairobi, where she not only teaches milling technology and flour quality but also oversees the school’s development and manages its training operations. In addition to her role in Nairobi, Priscilla is the co-owner of Bakalian Flour Mills, a fourth-generation, family-run mill situated in Beirut, Lebanon. As a C-level executive at Bakalian, she was instrumental in supervising technical operations and driving improvements at the 600 MT capacity mill. Her responsibilities also included providing customer technical support and spearheading the research and development of new end-products. Priscilla’s passion for education was evident early on, as she designed and developed in-house training programs for company staff in Cereal Science and Milling Technology. In 2018, this passion led her to co-found Bakalian Bakelab, a flour applications academy where she has curated and delivered baking and bread technology workshops for over 100 bakers. Priscilla holds a major in Food Science and Management from the American University of Beirut and is a graduate of the Swiss School of Milling. In 2023, she furthered her expertise by earning a Feed Processing Engineer diploma from the Swiss Institute of Feed Technology. Driven by a passion for process optimization and problem-solving, Priscilla aims to advance the milling industry and its community through education. Her focus lies in addressing challenges related to sustainability and operational efficiency.
THE FUTURE OF MILLING EDUCATION
Priscilla Bakalian
Head of African Milling School –
Bühler Group (Nairobi / Kenya)
Andreas Hummel
Andreas Hummel is currently the Chief Technology Officer for the Wingmen Group Switzerland. Andreas started his apprentice ship in Switzerland as miller, and then graduated in 2008 from Swiss Milling School. Afterwards he joined Bühler as a technologist in Switzerland where he executed several start ups of new flour mills around the world. From 2012 to 2019 he was transferred to Thailand where he was head of the technology department for Milling Solutions. In 2017 he took over the roll as Area Sales Manager for Thailand and the surrounding countries. In 2019 Andreas Hummel relocated back to Europe where he joined Wingmen Group. Since then he is leading the the technical consultancy of Wingmen Group for projects arround the world.
POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY SAVINGS IN THE FLOUR MILL
Andreas Hummel
Chief Technology Officer,
Wingmen Group GmbH (Germany)
Marcel Scherrer
Marcel Scherrer, a long-standing and invaluable member of Bühler, marking his 45th year with the company in 2024, has excelled in various leadership roles across the organization. After spearheading the Grain Logistics and Feed business units, he relocated to China in 2020 to head Animal Nutrition, driving notable global success. Since 2022, he has been successfully overseeing the Wheat and Rye business unit
FORECASTING THE FUTURE LANDSCAPE OF MILLING: A TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
Marcel Scherrer
Head of Wheat & Rye,
Bühler Group (Switzerland)
Sven Mattutat
Sven Mattutat graduated from the University of Applied Sciences in Lemgo, Germany with a degree in Food Science in 2005, and also holds a degree in Business Administration from AKAD University of Applied Sciences in Leipzig. He joined Mühlenchemie’s R&D in 2010, and later assumed responsibility for Mühlenchemie’s Global Product Management.
COUSZYM - WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF COUSCOUS
Sven Mattutat
Global Head of Product Management, Mühlenchemie GmbH &Co. KG (Germany)
FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY
Kamaldeep Singh Phull
Kamaldeep Singh Phull holds a BSc Hons in Manufacturing Management with Business Studies from Middlesex University and a Diploma in Food Technology from the Swiss Milling School. With extensive experience in the milling industry, he has specialized expertise in wheat and maize milling, flour rheology, and feed milling. Currently serving as Managing Director of Maisha Flour Mills Ltd, Kifaru Steel Fabricators Ltd, and Alliance Steel Works Ltd, he is also a former Education Committee member and moderator for the IAOM MEA Region.
MODERATOR
Kamaldeep Singh Phull
Managing Director, Maisha Flour Mills
(Kenya)
Nicoleta Axenti
As a person, grown up in a polyglot and multicultural family, I have always had a strong passion and curiosity about meeting new people and studying different cultural approaches. After graduating in “Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication for business” at the University of Padua, Italy I decided that my passion could find a great application in marketing. So, in 2019 I got a Master Degree in “Business Internationalization and marketing with focus on Eastern European countries and Central Asia” at “Ca’ Foscari” University in Venice, Italy. I carried out my curricular internship in Metalmont, and delivering a Project Work focusing on the potential of the Eastern European grain markets. Thanks to Metalmont I started my adventure in the agricultural and agro-industrial sector, working closely with product designers and engineers, studying the grain storage field, as well as the equipment and solutions used in this sector. Today I’m the Metalmont Marketing Manager and I work with Italian and international grain traders, food processing companies, feed millers and oil extraction plants, studying their needs, sharing best practices and working with them on new and innovative storage and grain handling solutions.
EFFICIENT AND SAFE STORAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR FEED MEALS
Nicoleta Axenti
Marketing Manager,
METALMONT SRL (Italy)
Ivan Harjacek
Ivan, Head of Digitalization at ANDRITZ, has over 15 years of experience in process, automation & digitalization, and business development. He leads a team that helps customers optimize their assets using risk-based and predictive control strategies. Specializing in leveraging big data analytics. Ivan focuses on moving beyond buzzwords to apply new technologies effectively in business. Ivan will address the critical role of OEM proprietary knowledge in making AI solutions truly effective. Ivan holds degrees in Process Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Zagreb, Croatia, and Business Management from DOBA Fakulteta, Maribor, Ljubljana.
BEYOND THE HYPE: PRACTICAL AI APPLICATIONS IN FEED MILLING FOR MEASURABLE GAINS
Ivan Harjacek
Head of Digitalization
ANDRITZ (Denmark)
Philippe Taeschler
Philippe Taeschler started as a project engineer in Bühler’s Grain Milling department in 1997. Afterwards he accumulated experience in international Bühler assignments, which started in 2000 as Sales Engineer for the British grain milling market. In 2004, he was assigned as Sales Manager for the Central America Region, based in Mexico from 2004 until 2007 and afterwards as Sales Manager for Iberia, based in Spain from 2008 until 2011. In 2012 he took over the function as Head of Sales Grain Milling for the EMEA Region and afterwards the global sales responsibility.
HIGH QUALITY EXTRUDED SHRIMP FEED
Philippe Taeschler
Head of Sales & Market Development Value Nutrition, Bühler Group (Switzerland)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND ITS IMPACT ON MILLING
Ibrahim Al Hazaa
Experienced Executive Director at Al-Hazaa Investment Group, a regional organization with business activities in various sectors, including flour milling, feed milling, pasta and noodles production, plastic production, renewable energy and project management, and implementation, operating in four countries in the Middle East. Ibrahim has a demonstrated history of working in the Food Production Industry; reliable operations professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused on Mechatronics and Automation Engineering from the German Jordanian University in Jordan and Jade University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Gained vast experience through training implemented at Bühler’s training centers in Switzerland & Germany, and an internship program at Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany, in addition to the long working experience with Al-Hazaa Investment Group in the Middle East.
MODERATOR
Ibrahim Al Hazaa
Executive Director,
Al-Hazaa Investment Group (Jordan)
Martin Ellegast
Martin Ellegast, a co-founder of WingmenGroup and Advactory AG, is a visionary in the realm of food industry transformation. With over 23 years of experience in the food sector, Martin held pivotal management positions at Buhler AG in Switzerland before venturing to establish his own groundbreaking ventures. His tenure at Buhler AG, a renowned entity within the industry, allowed Martin to hone his skills and acquire an in-depth understanding of the intricate workings of the food and flour milling sectors. Armed with this extensive experience and propelled by a passion for innovation, he co-founded WingmenGroup and Advactory AG. Driven by a dual commitment to engineering excellence and a profound appreciation for the food and flour milling industry, Martin endeavoured to redefine conventional paradigms. His brainchild, ADVACTORY, an innovative solution blending cutting-edge technology with industry expertise, has gained global recognition. It stands as a testament to Martin’s unwavering dedication to transforming operational processes in the food industry. Martin’s educational background encompasses process and environmental engineering, complemented by an EMBA qualification. Beyond his professional pursuits, he exhibits an ardent passion for sailing, achieving the esteemed distinction of being a two-time world champion in the sport.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) – HOW MILLERS CAN BENEFIT?
Martin Ellegast
CEO,
Wingmen Group GMBH (Switzerland)
Alexis Noel
Alexis Noël is a digital program manager at Bühler Group in Uzwil, leading the digital transformation of the Milling Solutions Business Unit. He oversees the digital service portfolio, focusing on AI services and data-driven consulting. Known for his cross-functional leadership and digital strategy expertise, Alexis drives innovation and market success in digitalization initiatives.
HOW AI-DRIVEN PROCESSES REVOLUTIONIZE FLOUR MILLING
Alexis Noel
Digital Program Manager,
Bühler Group (Switzerland)
Ali Magboul
Passion driven, graduated from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in Dhahran as BSc in Electrical Engineering. Worked in Siemens Saudi Arabia from 1998 to 2004, and in Ocrim s.p.a from 2004 to 2007. Currently CEO of ASM Process Automation since 2007. Our goal is to be the market leader in the F&B Market in the region.
AI BATCHING TECHNIQUES IN MILLING
Ali Magboul
CEO,
ASM Process Automation (UAE)
Fabien Varagnac
Fabien Varagnac is an independent milling sector consultant. He offers comprehensive consultancy and support to the industry, covering wheat sourcing strategy, investment and operational strategy, R&D, and innovation management. With a background rooted in wheat and cereal farming in France, Fabien holds a degree from the French Milling School and vocational training as a baker. Starting his career at Mühlenchemie, a leading supplier to the flour milling industry, Fabien progressed from R&D Baker to Area Sales Manager, overseeing significant business growth before concluding his 15-year tenure at Mühlenchemie as Head of Strategic Development. This last role allowed him to use his full range of skills and knowledge to develop new services to add value to millers around the world, mainly through deeper insights into the wheat market, new market development and digital solutions, among others. With over 20 years of experience, he brings a holistic approach and extensive industry knowledge to benefit the wheat, flour and bread sectors.
NAVIGATING THE PATH TO FLOUR QUALITY EXCELLENCE: LEVERAGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MILLING OPERATIONS
Fabien Varagnac
Founder,
Grains & Flours Insights (France)
PASTA & BAKING
Tarik Gahi
Tarik Gahi joined U.S. Wheat in Casablanca, Morocco in 2015 as the Milling and Baking Technologist where he is involved in the development, service, and expansion of the technical side of the market for U.S. wheat and wheat products. Prior to joining USW, Gahi graduated from the IFIM (Moroccan Milling School) in 2002 and subsequently joined Al Ghurair Food Group and then Seaboard West Africa.
MODERATOR
Tarik Gahi
Assistant Technical Director,
U.S. Wheat Associates (Morocco)
Salim Makhoul
A Master baker and Milling Engineer, with over 25 years of experience. Salim has been part of various business lines, ranging from mill engineering to advanced baking and enzymatic flour treatment in MENA, Europe and the United States.
A 360° VIEW ON FLOUR QUALITY: IMPACT OF MILLING TECHNIQUES, ADVANTAGE OF SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS, AND DIAGNOSIS BEHIND RHEOLOGICAL TESTING
Salim Makhoul
General Manager,
CrownZym (Lebanon)
Novrani Bundhoo
Novrani joined Mühlenchemie in 2016 as a technologist for the Francophone African region. Since 2019, she has been the Technical team leader for Francophone African regions and since 2023 also assists in the Middle East regions. Novrani has a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and a master’s degree in Total quality management from the University of Mauritius. She has more than 14 years of experience in the flour industry.
FROM UNDERSTANDING WHEAT QUALITY TO PROVIDING CONSISTENT FLOUR QUALITY TO BAKERS: MILLERS’ CHALLENGES
Novrani Bundhoo
Technical Team lead,
Mühlenchemie GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)
Nicolas Sulblé
Mr Nicolas SULBLE is part of the Ingredients Expert team based in Paris (France). Working close with the Ingredients R&D Division since 3 years, Nicolas he has been in charge of the Middle East market, as well as supporting the African continent. He is a Food Engineer qualified in the Agrifood Industry and has gained experience in the rheology and baking lab, like-wise also travelled in the markets for ingredient developments in the flour mill and training purpose to millers.
CEREAL-BASED INGREDIENTS AND NEW PREMIXES FOR MILLERS
Nicolas Sulblé
R&D Formulator,
AIT Ingredients (France)
WHAT'S NEW MILLING TECHNOLOGY
Hank Paul
With a focus on both the implementation and execution of explosion protection equipment according to the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU & NFPA Standards, Hank Paul is an experienced process safety expert in the field of combustible dust risk reduction. As the market development manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa at BS&B’s Industrial Explosion Protection division, he has worked with the range of industries and processes at the heart of IAOM members activities to address the threats and dangers of dust explosions. Hank will be sharing insights into the proactive approach of explosion prevention, protection and mitigation strategies in his session titled “Food Security through Production Safety/Combustible Dust Risk Management
INTEGRATED FLOUR MILLING: FOOD SECURITY THROUGH PRODUCTION SAFETY: COMBUSTIBLE DUST RISK MANAGEMENT
Hank Paul
Market Development Manager, BS&B Pressure Safety Management BV (Netherlands)
Jovin Wehrli
Jovin Wehrli began his professional career in August 2017 with an apprenticeship as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Bühler. After completing the basic training phase of his apprenticeship, Jovin took on various LCM and R&D tasks from August 2019 to July 2022 within the Digital Sense department. During this time, his work was mainly focused on Weighing & Dosing as well as Packing & Palletizing equipment. During the same period, he also attended the Technical Vocational School, completing his studies from August 2021 to July 2022.
From July 2022 to October 2022, Jovin completed his mandatory military service by attending recruit school with the Swiss Air Force. Under the Swiss Army model, he continues to serve in the Air Force for approximately one month each year.
Upon completion of his recruit school in October 2022, Jovin returned to Bühler AG, where he now oversees global product management for fully automated Packing & Palletizing solutions. Alongside his role as Product Manager, Jovin has been pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Applied Sciences in St. Gallen from September 2023.
ACHIEVING PACKING EXCELLENCE WITH THE NEW FULLY AUTOMATIC BAGGING STATION
Jovin Wehrli
Product Manager,
Bühler Group (Switzerland)
John Koorn
International Sales Manager with 43 years of experience in designing vertical silo storage systems for hard to flow bulk materials. We have been working in the flour milling industry specifically in designed vertical silos for wheat bran for the last 30 years.
HOW TO STORE AND RECLAIM HARD-TO-FLOW BULK MATERIALS
John Koorn
International Sales Manager,
Laidig Systems, Inc. (USA)
Tobias Diener
I completed basic training as an electronics technician with further training as an engineer. I joined Agromatic in 1994 and started in development and production. I continued my training internally and then switched to sales. In 2005 I took over the company as Managing Director.
INSTALLATION EXAMPLE OF TMS
Tobias Diener
CEO,
Agromatic (Switzerland)
Seyit Ali TOPAÇ
Keeping an active mind and body, a dedication to learning, and extensive travelling have all helped shape my success.
In brief, my main qualifications are as below:
- Postgraduate education (business management & marketing) supported with overseas education.
- 18 years of international B2B sales and marketing experience in an international environment, working in and with, international companies.
- Advanced level English; native language Turkish.
- Proven sales success with a track record of delivering consistent results.
- Strong technical knowledge about food processes and machinery and automotive spare Part Business gained through my higher Business management education and working experience.
- Willingness and possibility to travel abroad extensively.
- Strategic focus – capable of using various channels to generate leads and business opportunities
- Creative and innovative, willing to learn, responsible and quality-conscious, even when working under time pressure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, multi-tasking capabilities and good organizational skills.
- Self-starting, proactive, resourceful and flexible with a detail-oriented approach to all tasks.
My main goal is to add value and revenue to my company and team. To develop better business by building trusted customer relationships, employing effective sales and marketing methods, and using hands-on experience from the creative sectors.
THE NEW MULTIPLEXA PLANSIFTER
Seyit Ali Topaç
Sales Manager,
IMAS (Türkiye)
Pietro Barbalarga
Pietro is the 3rd generation of an Italian Millers family. He got his diploma in milling in Torino at the Baking and Milling Institute “ Arte Bianca “ . He also has a degree in Electrotechnics from the Pordenone Institute Tecnico Industrial “ J.F. Kennedy” Began as Startup millers, he moved then in the commercial department, during his career he was sales manager for North Europe, US , South East Asia and Oceania region. In 2004 joined Omas to take part in the “ reinventing the mill “ project .During his career he led and delivered more than 150 successful flour mill projects.
THE MOULINS SOUFFLET CASE: BOOSTING EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY SAVINGS
Pietro Barbalarga
Sales Director,
Omas Industries (Italy)
Martino Celeghini
Dr Martino Celeghini is currently CEO and co-owner of CESCO EPC GmbH. He has gained professional experience in project management of large international projects in more than 4 years in the grain handling business at CESCO and more than 15 years in the railway industry business in international companies such as STADLER in Switzerland and Siemens in Germany. He holds an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and a PhD in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
INTEGRATED DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES FOR MILL BUILDINGS
Dr. Martino Celeghini
CEO,
CESCO EPC GmbH (Germany)
Peer Hansen
Peer Hansen is a Biochemist from the University of Copenhagen. His career spans 30 years of creation of industrial applications based on frontier science, hereof more than 20 years in the grain processing industry. Peer Hansen was the first to develop both in-bin moisture monitoring and infestation monitoring based on CO2 measurements. This has turned out to set the standards for the industry. He is a specialist in grain chilling and has developed 100% automatic aeration control systems applicable for any climatic zone. Peer Hansen is known worldwide for his ground-breaking research in infestation control using Ozone. This research was conducted together with scientists from Aarhus University, Denmark. Also, Peer Hansen stands behind Nitrogen fumigation, a green fumigation technology for efficient infestation control. It is also suitable for organic products.
NATURAL FUMIGATION WITH NITROGEN
Peer Hansen
Biochemist – R&D Director,
Toxi-Scrub ApS (Denmark)
Ahmad Mansour
Sales Manager at 4B Braime Components Middle East Working closely with different customers in the Middle East to fulfill their needs for optimizing their conveyors, identifying and securing high-end spare parts and components while keeping a good practice for safety and protect their facility from any hazard explosions due to dust emissions during conveying, storage or further processing. Fields of expertise: Hazard Monitoring for grain handling and flour/feed mills Mechanical components for Bucket Elevators Mechanical components for Chain Conveyors
ATEX & HAZARD MONITORING
Ahmad Mansour
Sales Manager,
4B Braime Components (UAE)
CLOSING CEREMONY
Frances Churchill
Fran Churchill
IAOM President 2024-2025
North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) Professor of Practice
at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
Fran has been an active member of IAOM since 1984. She has been an active member of the IAOM Employee Relations Committee since 2015, served on the Education Committee from 1988-1992, and chairs the Women in Milling roundtable that was started in 2020.
Fran began her career with The Pillsbury Company in 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in milling science and management-operations from K-State. From 1989-2007, she served in various roles in mills for ConAgra Flour Milling Co, The Mennel Milling Company, General Mills, and Knoxville Milling Company/C.H. Guenther & Sons at locations around the United States. In 2012 she joined Kansas State University in her current position.
In addition to her milling science degree, Churchill holds a master’s in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and received an Effective Teaching certification from the Association of College and University Educators.
CLOSING SPEECH
Frances Churchill
IAOM President (USA)