FORUM SPEAKERS

FORMULATION and ANIMAL NUTRITION SCIENCE

Dr. Zahid Aslam

A dynamic and results-driven executive with over 27 years of leadership experience in the Feed and Flour
industries across the region. I have a proven track record of driving substantial business growth, optimizing
costs, and maximizing profitability, all while delivering consistent and exceptional results.
Recognized as an expert in Cost Optimization, Revenue Growth, Creative Problem-Solving,
Continuous Process Improvement, and Product & Business Development, I bring a strategic and
forward-thinking approach to every challenge. With a strong foundation in Nutrition, Research &
Development, and Quality Assurance Management, I am committed to innovation and excellence,
constantly refining production processes and developing groundbreaking formulations that set new
industry standards.
A passionate and customer-centric professional, I prioritize building strong client relationships and
delivering impactful solutions that drive measurable success. My expertise spans key areas, including
Poultry, Ruminant, and Aquaculture Nutrition & Management, making me a versatile leader in
advancing animal nutrition and business sustainability.
Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Elite Nutrition Consulting, I am dedicated to transforming
food and agriculture enterprises, helping them achieve operational excellence, implement innovative
projects, and optimize systems for long-term growth.

Dr. Zahid Aslam

Visionary Leader in Animal Nutrition & Business Growth

Priscilla Bakalian

Priscilla is the Head of the African Milling School and co-owner of Bakalian Flour Mills, a fourth-generation mill situated in Beirut, Lebanon. BsC Food Science and Management, SMS, SFT Graduate.

Priscilla Bakalian

Head of African Milling School, Bühler

Martin Schlauri

Martin Schlauri joined Buhler in 1980 after graduating as a Milling Technologist SMS. After completing assignments in process development and plant commissioning, he was made responsible for the flour milling business in various countries. Back at the headquarters in Switzerland, Martin Schlauri took over the management of the Grain Milling Training Centre and later headed Buhler’s worldwide grain milling activities. From 2015 to 2020 Martin Schlauri was the Managing Director and teacher at the African Milling School in Nairobi, Kenya.

Since 2022, after retiring from Buhler company, Martin Schlauri has been working as a milling consultant and taking care of the Educational Mission of the IAOM MEA.

Martin Schlauri

IAOM MEA Education Committee Chairman

Wim Delameilleure

Wim Delameilleure, with 20 years in the global food industry, joined SCE 7 years ago. He explores opportunities with key players in the MEA region, offering solutions to optimize process buildings.

Wim Delameilleure

Area Sales Manager EMEA, SCE – Silo Construction & Engineering NV

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY and
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN FEED MILLING

Alex Ammann

Senior instructor at Swiss Institute for Feed Technology with 35+ years in feed, flour, and specialty milling. Expert in feed technology, education, and hands-on training at SFT, BZWU, and SMS.

Alex Ammann

Senior Instructor,

Bühler

Hamid Farahmand

My name is Hamied Farahmand. I am the former Sales Director for the Middle East region at AMANDUS KAHL, based in Germany. Following my retirement, I have continued to work as a consultant, specializing in feed and food projects closely related to my areas of expertise.

My academic background includes studies in Automation and Computer Science at the University of Lübeck (Germany) and Georgia Institute of Technology (United States). Over the course of more than 40 years in the feed mill industry, I have gained extensive experience across multiple domains, including automation engineering, project engineering and design, research and development (R&D), sales, and technical and economic project consultancy.

Throughout my career, the driving force behind my work has been the continuous pursuit of solutions to complex challenges, aiming to contribute to the production of safer and healthier food. A key element of my professional success has been the practical knowledge I accumulated through on-site commissioning and start-up activities as well as my involvement in R&D projects. Working closely with production staff and maintenance teams in feed mills has fundamentally shaped my approach to problem-solving: seeing challenges not merely as technical issues but as opportunities for holistic, practical improvement.

Hamid Farahmand

Former Sales Director – Middle East Region, AMANDUS KAHL

Ivan Harjacek

Ivan, Global Head of Product Group Digital Solutions 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.

Ivan Harjacek

Global Head of Product Group Digital Solutions, Andritz Feed and Biofuel

SMART LOGISTICS and INTEGRATED AUTOMATION

Priscilla Bakalian

Priscilla is the Head of the African Milling School and co-owner of Bakalian Flour Mills, a fourth-generation mill situated in Beirut, Lebanon. BsC Food Science and Management, SMS, SFT Graduate

Priscilla Bakalian

Head of African Milling School, Bühler

Abdul Raouf Mahmoudi

Experienced Automation Engineer with 10+ years in training, maintenance, and project management. Expertise in plant, line, and machine control, focusing on digitalization, safety, and smart monitoring

Abdul Raouf Mahmoudi

Director Industrial Projects, ASM Process Automation

Zeki Demirtaşoğlu

Born in Ankara in 1971, Zeki Demirtaşoğlu graduated from Ankara Chemical Technical High School and earned a degree in Food Engineering from Ankara University, followed by a master’s in Microbiology from the Institute of Science. As a chemist, food engineer, and biotechnologist, he founded Bastak Technology Systems in 1999, establishing Turkey’s first and only Ministry of Industry-approved R&D center for quality control devices.

Demirtaşoğlu holds key roles in various organizations:

President of DESMUD (Flour, Feed, and Grain Technologies Association), supporting Turkey’s $3.53 billion annual exports.
President of the World Defense and Global Risks Association.
President of İvedik Organized Industrial Zone Technology Site.
Technical Committee Member of ICC in Vienna, Austria.

Through Bastak Academy, he promotes science and innovation with international seminars and training programs, offering equal learning opportunities globally.

Zeki Demirtasoglu

Founder,

Bastak Group

Stanko Milutinov

Stanko Milutinov born on 30.12.1979 In Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia.

Graduated from the Faculty Of Veterinary Science , University of Belgrade in 2008th where obtain academical title Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine.

Since graduation in 2008, I have been working in the animal feed industry for a total of 18 years. During the period of 2008-2014, I have been working for regional feed and premix producers Sto Posto and Novi Mix at different positions in technical sales and operations as Production Manager and R&D Manager. From 2014-2017 I have been working as Operations Manager and Nutritionist for Nuscience Premix International that is a member of Royal Agrifirm Group.

From 2017 till now I have been living and working in the United Arab Emirates and working for IFFCO Animal Nutrition as production manager for premix and feed mill plant in charge of overall operations.

Stanko Milutinov

Production Manager – Premix & Feed Mill Plant, IFFCO Animal Nutrition

Mansour AL Suwaiyeh

BS in Mechanical Eng., Started as a Flour miller at the Saudi GSFMO Org., Attended Grain & Milling courses in Canada & U.S.A. Joint ALMOAJIL Co. in 2001 & established 1st Flaking plant.

Mansour Al Suwaiyeh

Feed Plant Manager, Abdul Aziz & Saad Al-Moajil Group

FORUM SPEAKERS

FORMULATION and ANIMAL NUTRITION SCIENCE

Dr. Zahid Aslam​

Priscilla Bakalian

Martin Schlauri

Wim Delameilleure

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY and OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN FEED MILLING

Alex Ammann

Hamid Farahmand

Ivan Harjacek

SMART LOGISTICS and INTEGRATED AUTOMATION

Priscilla Bakalian

Abdul Raouf Mahmoudi

Zeki Demirtasoglu

Stanko Milutinov

Mansour Al Suwaiyeh

Dr. Zahid Aslam

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY and
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN FEED MILLING