The Global Miller: May 2019

May 30, 2019

DMAIC in the grain industry: The DEFINE phase

by Gustavo Sosa

DMAIC is an acronym that stands for Define, Measure, Analyse, Implement, and Control. This is the central concept in Six Sigma. It defines a virtuous cycle that generates gradual improvement.

If you want to change something, first you have to measure it. And if you want to measure something, first you have to define it.

Do you want to get in shape? Good. How you do it? What is your problem? Aerobic endurance, core strength? No, not interested? Are you fat? Ok, then how you measure “fat”? Body mass index? Ok. Can you change your height? No? Then you have to control weight.

So, for something as mundane as getting in shape we need to think it a little bit before finding out what to do. After a few questions we define the critical variable (weight) that has to be measured. It is not straight forward.

Had we defined fat as “flabbiness” instead of “high body mass index”, then we should be using some skin grab method to measure it, and the method to solve it would be lifting weights instead of dieting.

What do you want to do in your company? Make money? Ok, then you have two alternatives.
A) Increase sales
B) Cut costs.

Increasing sales in a grain elevator is difficult, if not impossible. You are limited, physically, by the space you have. In a mill it is much easier, but the thing is that we are dealing with commodities here.

For the consumer, a kilogramme of your flour is just like a kilogramme of your competitor. He will choose based on price. In order to increase sales, you have to decrease price (if it isn’t regulated) and the only way to do that is through margins or costs reductions. If you operate in a market economy, your margin is already minimum. Then the only option is B.

Read more HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com

Dinnissen company profile

With over 150 permanent employees and an extensive network of agents all over the world, Dinnissen is a global player in the feed, food, pharma and chemical sectors.

They are always looking for new and innovative solutions for complete processes, system integrations or standard products – many of which they develop, test and produce in-house!

Visit the website HERE.

May 29, 2019

The flour mills of East Scotland: Part one

by Mildred Cookson, The Mills Archive, UK

In the days before civil aviation and high-speed railways, professional conventions held a particular place in the calendar. Bringing together the movers and shakers of the industry (the people as well as the machines) they provided opportunities and ideas for progress and re-affirmed their status as heads of industry, commerce and innovation. One such was the 1902 Convention to be held in Edinburgh.

Conventions also provided an opportunity for national and global advertising and so Milling, the precursor of Milling and Grain, announced that its edition of May 31st, 1902 would be a Convention Number in accordance with their regular custom. Less than a decade old, the publication was determined to set itself apart in both content and production values.

It promised a Number containing "specially written articles by the best literary talent in the trade on subjects of interest to all the many British and colonial readers … other pages will be replete with illustrations of several important Scotch mills, together with others in different parts of the Empire."

I will use the descriptions and illustrations from the convention number over the next few issues to describe the important mills of East Scotland as they appeared at the close of Queen Victoria's reign. The first two are East Bridge Mills and Central Mills in Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire (more properly referred to as Fife).

East Bridge Mills: Messrs. Robert Hutchison & Co
Kirkcaldy is situated on the northern slope of the Firth of Forth where the estuary broadens out into a wide expanse of over 15 miles from bank to bank.

In the early millstone days, East Mills had 10 pairs of stones. Rolls were first introduced in the 1870s and the mill worked by rolls and partly by stones until 1892 when the firm employed Henry Simon was to install a six-sack plant.

In 1897, Simon was called in again to update the mill. A complete washing and drying plant were installed along with other improvements to increase capacity to ten sacks-per-hour. The head of the family firm at the time of the convention was the local Provost (Mayor), Mr Alex Hutchison, appointed as the new President of the Association of British and Irish Millers.

He had introduced the next improvements that year, including a covered railway siding, with a bulk grain receiving house, a preliminary cleaning plant along with a 20-tonne elevator, 12 large silos and 10 smaller ones with a horizontal conveyor for transporting the full sacks of flour and offals from warehouse to railway trucks.

The re-organised roller plant consisted of two lines of ‘Simon’ double rollers, six sets being on the breaks and scratch processes, and nine on the reductions. The different separations were done with reels, centrifugals, scalpers and purifiers of the ‘Simon’ make.

Read more HERE.

VIV MEA 2020 to feature World Leadership Conference

The 3rd edition of VIV MEA is coming to Abu Dabai, March 9-11, 2020. With a proven track record VIV MEA 2020 will be bigger in size and content, including for the first time a World Leadership Conference.

At VIV MEA, suppliers from all segments of the Feed to food chain are represented. From suppliers of feed (ingredients) and animal health, to equipment for breeding, farming, slaughtering & processing.

This will be a truly international event for the entire Middle East region as well as Africa, VIV MEA brings together producers & buyers in the Feed to Food industry. It expected there will be 430 exhibitors and 8,000 professional visitors in the 8,800m² show space.

Feed to food concept
Feed to Food brings together supply and demand within the complete animal protein chain. The driver behind the chain concept is that animal feed and animal health are vital for meat quality and safety. VIV MEA will represent every step in the meat-, seafood and dairy production process.

For an overview and info, please contact the VIV Sales Manager Mr Roel Schoenmaker: roel.schoenmaker@vnuexhibitions.com

Visit the VIV MEA website, HERE.

Phileo Lesaffre company profile

Nothing is more precious than life, and that’s the philosophy that drives Phileo.

As global population continues to increase, the world faces a growing demand for food and greater sustainability challenges.

According to the team at Phileo Lesaffre "Working at the crossroads of nutrition and health, we are committed to delivering future evidence-based solutions that enhance animal health and performance. In each and every country, our team’s progress is led by the most advanced scientific outcomes as well as the field input of experienced farmers".

Visit the website HERE.

May 28, 2019

Pingle company profile

PINGLE has proudly served customers for more than 20 years. They are a Chinese manufacturer that is committed to the development, production, distribution, installation, and testing of flour milling machines.

Their main products include the roller mill, square plansifter, purifier, multi-storey flour milling plant, and the steel structure flour milling plant. Additionally, they can provide stand-alone machines in the 9 to 1,000t range, which include popular selections such as the grain pre-cleaner, grain cleaning equipment, flour milling machine, flour processing equipment, maize processing equipment, and conveying equipment.

Also available are turnkey projects for flour milling plants with capacity ranging from 100 to 1000t.

Their technical solutions and high performance machinery are implemented worldwide for the fine processing of wheat, maize, and other types of cereal grains.

Pingle have a staff of 800 employees, of whom there are more than 50 technical personnel. These technicians are expert in fields such as mechanical structure, processing technology, automated control, and production flow. Their dedication and ingenuity allow the introduction of new products whilst providing upgrades for existing lineups.

Product diversity and sincere services have distinguished Pingle as a leading domestic supplier. Their sales revenue has exceeded 150 million RMB for three consecutive years.

Pingle’s flour processing machinery is available in more than 60 distinctive models. According to the Pingle website, “we are recognised as the first Chinese manufacturer to adopt the ERP system. As a pioneer in the industry, we have introduced the steel structure flour milling plant and the multi-storey steel structure flour milling plant to the Chinese market. In 2000, our company successfully obtained self-managed import and export rights for private enterprises.”

Pingle have passed the ISO9001:2000 Quality Management System certification and established a complete quality assurance system.

In 2009, PINGLE products were distributed worldwide across 32 countries and regions including Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Brazil, Australia, etc. As a mature and responsible enterprise, Pingle strive to provide customers everywhere with satisfying products and attentive services.

For more information visit the Pingle website, HERE.

Ocrim to build Makprom’s new milling plant

Makprom (a company affiliated with CI Group, through a joint venture in equal shares between Colussi Group and InfoLink Group) has once again tasked Ocrim to build their durum wheat semolina milling plant, with a capacity of 400 T/24h. Ocrim was assigned with building the first mill for Makprom eight years ago.

Image credit: Ocrim

The new milling plant will have the same characteristics as the previous one. Andrey Gurov, CEO of Makprom, said, "Considering the results obtained thanks to the first milling plant, we have decided to choose Ocrim again and ask for a 'twin' plant in all respects. The existing plant has always guaranteed us an excellent final product and therefore we have had no doubt. Ocrim is a guarantee for us as much as we are for our customers".

In fact, all the machines of the new plant are designed and set up exactly like those in the existing milling plant, precisely to produce very high quality semolina.

The CEO of Ocrim, Alberto Antolini said, "It is always necessary to listen carefully to the requests and needs of the client. Ocrim is proud to have been chosen again by a customer who is considered one of the best pasta producers in Russia. We have a lot in common with Makprom and we are sure that this already consolidated relationship can only lead to other important projects".

Visit the Ocrim website, HERE.

May 27, 2019

Brexit: Where are we now?

by Alex Waugh, Director General, nabim, United Kingdom

As we enter extra time in Brexit discussions, with an extension of full UK membership of the EU until October 31st to allow time for a conclusion, what are the future prospects and implications for the flour milling industry?

The negotiated deal

The deal reached between the UK and EU negotiators – which has been rejected three times in UK Parliamentary votes - would do three things if it is ratified:

• Unlock a transition period during which the UK will no longer be a member of the EU and will forfeit rights of representation in the Council and the European Parliament, but will, in almost all respects, be treated as if it were a member. This period will last until the end of 2020, although it can be extended by up to two years.

• Establish some aspirations for a future relationship between the UK and the EU. It foresees a comprehensive free trade agreement with no tariffs on goods in either direction but could also allow for much closer regulatory alignment and/or a formal customs union (see below).

• However, it also contains a backstop position, which would apply at the end of the transition period unless it were superseded by an agreement with which both sides are happy. The backstop is designed to prevent the re-emergence of a hard border in Ireland and would mean that all of the UK was within a customs union for goods (except fish), ie no tariffs; and regulations applied in Northern Ireland would mean that no checks were required in North-South trade on the island of Ireland.

There would also be no checks required on trade from NI to mainland GB, although some would most likely be required on trade from GB to NI, and also between GB and the Republic of Ireland.

The backstop provisions are politically controversial, as some people don’t like the idea of the UK being tied to a customs union with the EU, and others don’t like the special status accorded to Northern Ireland seeing it as either a division in the UK or an exception that favours one part of the UK over others.

A new stage for Hi & Fi Asia-China: China's one-stop sourcing platform for the entire food and health industry

Health is leading the way in the Chinese food and beverage industry, and China's growing health and wellness market is predicted to continue thriving in the coming years. With that, Chinese food, beverage and health supplement manufacturers are actively seeking new ingredients to develop innovative products to meet this market growth.

It's for this reason that for the first time this year Hi & Fi Asia-China is combining with HNC, ProPak China & FoodPack and Starch Expo on 19-21 June 2019. Together, these five shows offer a one-stop meeting place for the entire food and beverage industry value chain, showcasing an extensive range of health ingredients, food ingredients, nutraceuticals, natural ingredients, starch ingredients and packaging and processing solutions – all in one location.

Hi & Fi Asia-China will take place in a new venue, the NECC Shanghai, where over 100,000 visitors and 1,800 top suppliers, including GNT, Naturex, BASF, Angel Yeast, and Gelita, among many others, will gather over the three show days to network and do business with the industry's finest. With record numbers of both local and international exhibitors and pre-registered visitors this year, the outlook for Hi & Fi Asia-China is very promising.

On top of the numerous networking and sourcing opportunities from 1,800 industry suppliers, the show offers visitors the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest developments in China's ever-changing food and beverage market. Hi & Fi Asia-China offers a wide range of onsite educational features, including the brand new Innovation & Content Hub, which will address key topics such as consumption drivers for healthy foods along with Chinese laws and regulations on the application of probiotics. The Nutraceuticals Industry Development Conference from 19-20 June will also invite industry experts and representatives of government agencies to discuss issues such as regulatory policies, cross-border e-commerce, routes to market, and development trends.

Finally, on top of the five shows at Hi & Fi Asia-China, all visitors will be granted access to NEX, Asia's leading exhibition for natural extracts, taking place as part of CPhI China in the SNIEC, Shanghai from 18-20 June. This means that one entry pass to Hi & Fi Asia-China allows visitors free access to the entire Chinese food, health, pharma and nutraceuticals industries, over four days. For anyone active in or interested in the Chinese food and pharma market, this is surely an opportunity not to be missed out on.

Registration for Hi & Fi Asia-China is open – Secure your place by registering, HERE.

FrigorTec company profile

FrigorTec took over the Refrigeration product section of the Axima Refrige-ration GmbH (previously known as Sulzer Escher Wyss).

The new name stands for a young company that is backed by 50 years of experience. In development and production, they use this experience to the benefit of their customers.

FrigorTec supply grain cooler, crane air conditioning units, individual container cooler, and cooling units. Offer worldwide service and spare parts supply.

VIsit the FrigorTec website, HERE.

May 26, 2019

Top reasons to attend Cereals 2019

The 2019 edition of Europe's Leading Outdoor Technical Arable Event returns to Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire on June 12th & 13th. By attending, you will be joining 20,000 of the industry's most forward-thinking farmers, agronomists, a jam-packed, expert-led seminar schedule, world-exclusive technology demonstrations, live speakers and more.

The new management of the event are setting out to revolutionise Cereals by injecting diverse content, the enthusiasm of an experienced and dedicated team, and a refreshing attitude into this established exhibition.

Image credit: Cereals

There are a number of new features for you to explore into this year, including the Innovation & Tech Theatre, Conservation Agriculture Theatre, Ride & Drive Zone, and the International Farming Superstars. The new features have been specifically designed to widen the information available to visitors, to benefit every aspect of their business. The Innovation & Tech Theatre was created to share new knowledge in the industry that will revolutionise the way you carry out everyday tasks on your farm. Running alongside this, the Ride & Drive Zone is the perfect destination to test equipment for your business before you buy them — giving you a unique perspective into how new tech and equipment can improve the workings of your farm. Finally, International Farming Superstars brings a collection of the world's most forward thinking individuals who will bring invaluable information into what they have done to solve everyday problems on their farms.

Across the two days, there will be opportunities to visit a collection of the industry's leading businesses at their exhibiting stands; where you will find the most up-to-date technologies, designed to maximise your business. Bayer Crop Science, offer innovative solutions that maximise your farm yields, secure harvests from diseases, and offer chemical crop and environmental protection products. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), are also exhibiting at Cereals. They will be sharing information surrounding environmental protection and food production; two issues that will affect your farm — so make sure you do not miss out on the latest regulations that will affect you and your farm. World-renowned John Deere will also be exhibiting at the event, showcasing their specialist equipment, ranging from tractors and combines, to sprayers and drillers.

So what are you waiting for? Make your way to the UK's favourite farming event, find out how to grow your business in a profitable and healthy manner. Don't miss out on all the excitement and be sure to secure your ticket today!

For more information visit the Cereals 2019 website, HERE.

I’Anson to invest £12m in new production facility, UK

Leading animal feed manufacturer, I'Anson Brothers Ltd, has today unveiled plans to build a new production facility, as part of its 2020 Vision to deliver a sustainable future for the business.

The new 23,000 sq ft facility will be built at Dalton New Bridge, the next phase of the Dalton Industrial Estate. The ultramodern facility has been designed to be as energy efficient as possible and will employ industry standard 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT) to ensure it maintains the highest of operational and environmental efficiencies.

Image credit: I'Anson

These will include computerised operations to deliver precision usage of ingredients, variable speed control of electrical drives and vehicle routing to save road miles. It also includes stringent environmental controls, with solar panels and heat pumps installed to maximise green energy use.

Producing an initial 150,000 tonne capacity per year – with two production lines producing over 30 tonnes per hour – this increased production will enable I'Anson to meet the growing demand of existing customers, expand its export operations and continue to be a major supporter of the North Yorkshire farming and wider economy.

I'Anson currently employs 80 people from the local community and this new production facility will initially create a further 10 new jobs. It will also allow I'Anson to grow its existing network of local producers, farmers and suppliers from whom it buys a large proportion of its raw materials for manufacture.

Founded in Masham in 1900, I'Anson has grown to become a leader in the production of animal feeds and has been based at its current mill for the past 60 years. It supports over 3,000 customers locally across the North, nationally and internationally, exporting to over 40 countries worldwide.

The business's headquarters will remain in Masham, where it will continue to manufacture an extensive range of micronised feeds, specialty rations and horse feeds. The new facility will focus on the production of bulk farm feeds, with the capacity created in Masham enabling the business to expand its UK and overseas sales of its British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste supplement range, as well as continue to lead new product development.

Read the full article on the Milling and Grain website, HERE.

African Swine Fever: The crisis continues

by Chris Jackson

Once again, I am privileged to be travelling again, this time to Indonesia, Australia and China visiting farms and industries allied to farming, all of whom are having difficulties beyond their control.

Let me start by taking a look at Australia where there is a state of drought. We saw in the world’s press the dramatic damage caused by storms in Queensland and the Northern Territory where livestock farmers have been hard pressed to keep their animals alive by buying in expensive fodder from more southerly regions, only to see many thousands of heads drowned by the flash flooding caused by the storms.

Whilst in New South Wales where irrigation is needed to produce crops, the cost of water has risen to such a level that farmers are having to cut back on production, and we are seeing vast acres of what should be productive land, instead lying dormant.

Rice production in these areas have long since been cut back in favour of the more profitable production of cotton. With areas reduced and crops lightened due to water shortage, there are significant knock-on effects being experienced.

This feed is important for millers making balanced rations for our genetically enhanced species, as it significant supply of protein. The feed is important to the stock farmers and because of the shortage some ginners are only supplying existing customers. Prices have seen dramatic increases but regardless of cost, the product is not available.

There is hope for the future as new cotton varieties are being developed with lower gossypol and cyclopropenoids present which will mean that higher levels of inclusion in diets will be achievable when the crop is available.

With a better harvest in Western Australia there is some feed available but looking at the much-reduced stockpiles in NSW these will be hard pressed to compensate for the shortfall.

Read more HERE.

VIV Asia 2019

by Rebecca Sherratt, Features editor, Milling & Grain

On March 13-15th in Bangkok, Thailand, the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) played host to VIV Asia, the 2019 rendition of the biannual exhibition and trade show that brings members of the food and feed industry in their masses from all over the world.

The exhibition was a glorious affair, with hall after hall brimming with companies that specialised in every aspect of the food and feed production industry for poultry, livestock, swine and more. Over 45,000 visitors were confirmed over the three-day span of the event, and dozens of conferences were also held for industry members to attend.

VIV reported a seven percent increase in visits from those outside of Bangkok this year, proving that the event is only becoming more and more international and gaining more of a reputation as one of the best-serving events for the sector. Overseas visitors came from over 120 countries, the top ten visiting markets being reported as China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Pakistan.

Compared to the 2017 rendition of the event, a remarkable 1,245 exhibitors were confirmed (an 18% increase) and they covered an extra 30 percent of the floorspace at BITEC.

In my time exploring VIV Asia I discovered a variety of innovations for the food and feed industries that will no doubt become integral for the future of human and animal food production.

Read more HERE.

Biomin company profile

BIOMIN are dedicated to finding innovative, trend-setting solutions that empower their customers to master existing and future challenges in animal nutrition– the natural way. The application of their scientific know-how and expertise, based on an in-depth understanding of their customer’s needs and concerns, enables them to deliver solutions that support animal health, optimise performance and production efficiency.

Research and development is one of the cornerstones of BIOMIN. Their strong in-house research and development, and global cooperation with leading institutions and organisations form the basis by which innovative solutions are developed for their customers.

Through joint projects with renowned universities and research institutes, BIOMIN is constantly in touch with the latest scientific know-how, from which novel feed additives are developed and produced. Their global network of collaborating institutions has grown to over 100.

One of the cornerstones of BIOMIN’s success is the ongoing improvement of their inhouse quality standards. In 1997, BIOMIN introduced the international ISO 9001 standard. The HACCP system, introduced subsequently at BIOMIN’s production sites, provides the quality assurance our customers seek from them. In addition, the feed quality standards QS and GMP+ guarantee the utmost degree of control and quality for their products – from raw material inputs right through to the final product.

Concerns over climate change and the role of greenhouse gases continue to rise. In September 2011, BIOMIN was internationally recognised through the award of ISO 14040 ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ certification.

By optimising feed use and improving animal performance, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock operations.Through innovative production technologies and advanced, scientific know-how, BIOMIN has pioneered several trend-setting solutions for a range of animal nutrition products, all of which utilise fully natural processes and ingredients.

An in-depth understanding of what the customer’s needs and concerns are has enabled BIOMIN to create and deliver solutions in-line with performance and efficiency goals.

Visit the company website HERE.

May 23, 2019

USSEC and USGC joint conference facilities information sharing in Chile

Sixty procurement and managerial staff members from the feed, poultry and livestock industries in 14 Latin American countries recently attended the Americas Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Chile, a regional buyers conference conducted jointly by the US Grains Council (USGC) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC). The program provided attendees an opportunity to hear from international experts, gain additional insights into US agribusinesses and increase technical knowledge among buyers.

Some of the most important buyers in the Latin America learned about the supply of US grains, oilseeds and co-products; global trends in agricultural markets; world trade policy; weather outlooks; and relevant nutrition issues during the joint USGC/USSEC buyers conference in Chile.
Image credit: USGC

The Latin American region - including the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico - accounts for some of the most important US grain export markets. US coarse grains and related products have a natural market advantage in the region, given its geographic proximity, and 11 separate free trade agreements with the United States, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Council programs since the early 1980s have helped accelerate the growth of meat, milk and egg production and have built partnerships with industry and livestock associations in the region.

During the two-day conference in Puerto Varas, some of the most important buyers in the region learned about the supply of US grains, oilseeds and co-products; global trends in agricultural markets; world trade policy; weather outlooks and relevant nutrition issues. The joint conference follows a similar event first organised in 2017.

Read the full article on the Milling and Grain website, HERE.

GEAPS Exchange 2019

by Vaughn Entwistle, Managing editor, Milling & Grain

This year’s GEAPS Exchange was held in the “Big Easy”, New Orleans Louisiana, at the voluminous Ernest N Morial Convention Centre. The show ran from March 9-12th, 2019.

GEAPS (Grain Elevator and Processing Supply) is an international professional association that supports its members and the industry by serving as The Knowledge Resource for the world of grain handling and processing industry operations.

GEAPS addresses the industry's critical grain handling, storage and processing operations needs by providing the finest networking, professional development programs, and access to a global marketplace of equipment, services and technology solutions providers. GEAPS' global network of industry professionals includes more than 2,500 individual members from about 1,050 companies.

GEAPS Exchange 2019 drew 2,836 attendees from 19 countries to New Orleans to see and learn about the latest products and innovations in the grain handling and processing operations industry. The technical conference and exposition included a tradeshow with 407 exhibitors in 290,000 square feet of exhibit space, and over 30 hours of education in a variety of formats.

This year, in true New Orleans style, show attendees were played into the hall by a jazz band. The show was huge by any measure with almost too much to see, but here are some special highlights:

Grain entrapment
A highlight of the show was a live grain entrapment and rescue demonstration. These demonstrations were scheduled to occur several times a day and were always well attended.

OSHA/Oklahoma State University Fire Service brought along their custom grain engulfment and confined space rescue simulator. With CCTV cameras watching, a team of rescuers demonstrated the techniques and specialised equipment used to free a volunteer trapped up to the waist in grain (fortunately, they used a dummy).

But, even working in ideal conditions, the rescue team members needed to be regularly relieved after working a ten-minute shift, which is a dramatic demonstration of just how strenuous it is working up to the knees in grain. The live demos were a big hit at the show.

Read more HERE.

SCE company profile

An important task
The demand for food is becoming bigger and bigger with an increasing global population, which is why companies will have to produce more efficiently and effectively. SCE wishes to help companies with this. By designing silos that take up little space and are quick to assemble in any production unit. That is why food and feed producers around the world also count on their know-how. Their engineers have given their fullest attention to all cooperation and have done so for over 25 years. This has allowed them, since 1988, to collect sufficient experience to successfully complete each and every project.

Just what you are counting on
A perfect operational production machine also requires a perfect operational silo. That is why every effort from their team focuses on durable quality. From the drawing table to production, delivery and assembly, etc., they work according the strictest quality and hygiene standards every step of the way. Even better: even though it is required to meet the strict 'EN 1090-2' standards from June 2014, they have been delivering products with this quality label since 2012.

Results by a personal approach
In the past 25 years, SCE has grown from a family company into an international player. Nevertheless, they have always remained independent. Moreover, they made a conscious decision to limit the size of their teams so they can always work with their clients in a direct manner. By freeing time for sufficient discussions and meetings, end clients and machine manufacturers can seamlessly integrate their silos into their production unit upon completion.

Thinking ahead
If you integrate a silo building into a machine, then you expect it to last just as long as the company itself. That is why SCE delivers silo components from the best materials and all with a focus on durability. Furthermore, their silos are very easy to maintain which limits the costs of use, to last for the entire shelf-life of the project and not be a cause for down-time at any point of its operation.

Construction is assembly
Steel construction components are prefabricated in construction workshops. At the construction site, the activities are limited to joining the turnkey components. This saves time, money, construction waste and inconvenience for the surroundings. Steel construction components are light-weight and compact, which limits the number of transports to the construction sites as well as the number of investments in transport means and infrastructure facilities. The relatively low weight of the construction also saves on the costs for foundations.

Safety at every level
By cooperating with the biggest producers, they encounter the strictest safety standards. This means they keep raising the bar for themselves, which you can profit from. They safeguard the safety of their and your employees both during the production process and assembly of your silo building. But even afterwards, safety prevails for SCE. Their team provides modular silos that guarantee the quality of your product at any time during storage. Would you like complete insight into their work method? They will draw up a safety manual for you at the start of the project on request.

Safety first - Their values:

1. Working safely
2. Knowledge and experience
3. Respect for people and their culture
4. Passion for perfection and teamwork
5. Looking for solutions inquisitively
6. Their word is their bond

Delivering around the world
Their clients call on them from the whole of Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America. Nevertheless, they always have short delivery times thanks to extensive project management. Thanks to the design of their silos, they can transport all assembly components in ordinary lorries or shipping containers. Everything is stacked in a logical order so the assembly team can set to work quickly on-site and with a minimum of welding! This means your silo building will be installed quickly by their people or your own under the supervision of an SCE assembly leader.

Efficient in transport
Their silos can be transported very easily by lorry or shipping container. Due to the fact that all components are stacked for transport, all space is used.

Always on time
Their word is their bond, which is why it is very rare that their projects exceed the pre-set deadline. Thanks to extensive project planning and good interaction with their clients, they always succeed in avoiding delays.

Visit the SCE website, HERE.

May 22, 2019

Recent study suggests Olmix’s MSP®IMMUNITY could be used to activate broiler’s innate immune response

A recent pair reviewed study published in 'Frontiers in Immunology' demonstrates the capacity of marine algae extracts to modulate immune responses in broilers.

As part of a partnership between Olmix Group and Brest University and Brest Medical School, an in vitro and in vivo study was carried out in order to determine whether a sulphated polysaccharide-rich green algae extract (MSP®IMMUNITY) was able to activate avian neutrophils (heterophils) and monocytes; to identify the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) involved in the initiation of this activation and the molecular pathways in both cellular types; and finally to determine whether a similar effect could be observed in vivo when given per os (orally).

Olmix Group researcher
Image credit: Olmix Group

This study showed for the first time that MSP®IMMUNITY activates heterophils (improved glucuronidase release and oxidative burst) and monocytes (higher NO release) through activation of receptors TLR2 and TLR4. The signaling pathways of these receptors displays differences in their ability to induce heterophils degranulation and oxidative burst in vitro. In addition, the activation of heterophils and monocytes leads to an upregulation of the transcription of several immune mediators genes in both cellular types, partly in a cell specific manner. These immune mediators are produced during innate immune responses and play an important role as activators of the adaptive immune response.

Oral administration of MSP®IMMUNITY results in activation of avian neutrophils and monocytes in vivo. Moreover, in vivo activation of heterophils and monocytes led to a transient increase of immune mediators transcription, including interleukin 1-β, interferon-α and interferon-γ suggesting a Th1 orientation of the immune response.

All this suggest that MSP®IMMUNITY could be used to activate animal's innate immune response and promote adaptive one to support their natural defenses and the reduction of the use of antibiotics in farms. MSP®IMMUNITY is one of the algae-based solutions produced by Olmix Group. Created in 1995, the company specialises in harvesting and transforming red, green and brown Breton algae into innovative natural products for the human, animal and plant nutrition and health sectors.

Read the pair reviewed article, HERE.
Visit the Olmix Group website, HERE.

Visiting Nuh’Un Ankara Makarnasi

by Darren Parris, Group president, Milling & Grain

Pasta, now an indispensable food staple, was not always as popular in Turkey as it currently is. In fact, it was only in 1922 that pasta first began to regularly appear on the plates of the Turkish people, and this was still a relatively uncommon occurrence. 1950 was when pasta truly began to be seen as a more popular food source in Turkey and, since then, it has become one of the most common food sources in the country.

One cannot speak of pasta in Turkey without mentioning Nuh’un Ankara Makarnasi Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, founded by the Eskiyapan brothers, Ahmet Eskiyapan and Kemal Yurtabilir. With their first factory established in 1950 on Ulus Rüzgarli street their popularity soon led to an increased demand and a more specialised and expansive production space was needed.

Decades passed and Nuh’Un Ankara Makarnasi only continued to soar to new heights. Their new plant was built in 1956, followed by their production increasing to 30 tonnes-per-day in 1965. Their product range also expanded around this time as the Turkish people expressed their desire to experience more varieties and forms of pasta.

In late 2018 it was recorded that Nuh’Un Ankara Makarnasi’s latest and most modernised factory is producing an astounding 16,000 tonnes of durum macaroni and 15,600 tonnes of pasta. Their own unique brands of pasta are exported worldwide, and they are renowned worldwide for their impressive and innovative products.

Their multiple brands and ranges of pasta, such as Kepekli, Veronelli, Elif Makarna and Classical, all help ensure that the growing population gain sufficient access to only the best and most nutritious foods on the market.

And how do they manage this? A big part of this is their dedicated use of Bühler machinery.

The Bühler solution
Nuh’Un Ankara Makarnasi’s manufacturing facility, which is currently the third largest-capacity manufacturing facility in the world, proudly uses exclusively Bühler machinery for their pasta production and cites this as a primary source for their success.

Bühler’s Pasta and Grain Milling business units have worked extensively with Nuh’Un Ankara to ensure that their production facilities are equipped with only the best in processing technology, and they have continued this union for decades.

“We have been working together with Bühler since we started our own production,” says Feridun Haboglu, member of the Directorate-General at Nuh’un Ankara. “We have chosen Bühler because of their performance and the quality of their solutions. We have never regretted this decision and therefore still count on Bühler today as our technology partner.”

In order to ensure premium-quality pasta is produced, their producers use the highest-quality durum wheat from the South-East, as well as from Central Anatolia, which they shape through high-pressure and cure in ovens in temperatures of no more than 80°C. As little manual intervention by workers is carried out, to ensure that the final product is as free of contaminants and pure as possible, an aim that Bühler’s innovative milling solutions carry out with ease.

As technology has continued to evolve, Nuh’Un Ankara have ensured to always update and use the latest in Bühler innovation. In 2008, Nuh’Un Ankara approached Bühler expressing a desire to further expand their production capabilities, in order to try to increase their share of the market to a solid 40 percent in Turkey.

Bühler quickly set themselves to the task and after much analyses and discussion, the plan was set into motion and the facility began expansion.

Read more HERE.

Visit the Bühler Group website, HERE.