by Mehmet Uğur Gürkaynak, Milling and Grain & International Milling Directory, UK
From November 12th to 15th, the bustling streets of Cairo, Egypt, witnessed the convergence of global industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts at the prestigious IAOM MEA Conference and Expo 2023. Organised by the International Association of Operative Millers Middle East & Africa (IAOM MEA), this event stood as a beacon of knowledge, collaboration, and groundbreaking discussions in the realm of grain processing and milling.
Opening Ceremony
The event commenced with an illustrious opening ceremony led by distinguished personalities. Mr. Khatab Omar Al-Hazaa, IAOM MEA 2023 Conference Chairman and General Manager of Al Taj Flour Mills (Egypt), delivered an insightful opening speech. Mr. Ali Habaj, IAOM MEA Regional Director (Sultanate of Oman), presented the opening highlights, setting the tone for an engaging and impactful event.
Notable accolades were bestowed upon Mr. Kamel Belkhiria, President of Rose Blanche Group (Tunisia), honored as the IAOM MEA 2023 Regional Leader Awardee, and Mr. Peter Muni, Consultant at Mills Consult (Kenya), recognised as the IAOM MEA 2023 Miller of the Year.
Engaging Panel Discussions and Presentations
The conference featured a series of stimulating panel discussions, each focusing on crucial aspects of the grain processing industry. Sessions delved into topics such as managing risks in wheat, currency, and geopolitics; ERP and digitalisation for millers’ benefit; market outlooks from different regions; and adding value to flour as a business opportunity.
Speakers and moderators, including industry stalwarts like Mr. Indrek Aigro, CEO of Copenhagen Merchants, Mr Pieter Defoor, Marketing Manager MENA of Viterra, Mr Eduard Zernin, Chairman of Rusgrain Union, Mr Ibrahim Al-Hazaa, Executive Director of Al-Hazaa Investment Group, Mr Javier Lozano Díaz, Product Manager Automation & Digital Services of Bühler AG, Mr Olivier Bougamont, Senior Wheat and Barley Trader of Cargill International SA, Mr Ian Flagg, Regional Vice President of U.S. Wheat Associates Netherland, Dr Lutz Popper, Scientific Director of Mühlenchemie Germany, Mrs Mariam Al-Hazaa, Business Development Manager of Al-Hazaa Investment Group, Mr Sunil Maheshwari, Vice President of Siemer Milling Company and many others, presented invaluable insights and expertise in their respective domains.
The technical sessions were a cornerstone of the conference, addressing critical advancements in the industry. Presentations by experts such as Mr Chadi El Halabi, Area Sales Manager of Bühler, Mr Laith Al-Qasas, Area Sales Manager of Behn + Bates, Mr Martin Schlauri, IAOM MEA Education Committee Chairman, Mr Georg Schafter, Head of Technology of Bühler, Mr. Ali Magboul, CEO of ASM Process Automation and others shed light on topics like energy savings in animal feed production, automation benefits for millers, modern mill designs, roller milling advancements, and more.
Informative ‘What’s New’ Sessions
The ‘What’s New’ sessions featured presentations showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Speakers including Mr. Malcolm Holman, Managing Director of Brabender Germany, Mr. Nicolas Sulblé, R&D Formulator of AIT Ingredients, Mr. Andrea Nicolini, Sales Area Manager MEA of Cesco, Mr. Tobias Diner, Sales Manager of Agromatic AG, Mr. Pietro Barbalarga, Stakeholder & Commercial Director of Omas Industries, Mr. Mehmet Yılmaz, Area Sales Manager of Alapala,
Mr. Önder Şeker, Marketing Manager of İmaş Machinery and Milling Systems, Mr. Issam Baydoun, Field Sales Manager of Premier Tech Systems and Automation and others shared insights on quality assurance of wholemeal flours, silo design, roller mill advancements, weighing, bagging, grain safety, monitoring Solutions, trends in global commodities, and innovative milling systems.
Evening Functions: Networking and Cultural Delights
The conference didn’t just focus on daytime discussions but also provided attendees with engaging evening functions. The Welcome Reception, sponsored by Bühler, Mühlenchemie, and Sefar, at the Royal Maxim Palace Keminski offered a platform for networking and discussions.
The Trader’s Dinner, sponsored by industry leaders like Astra, Bunge, Cargill, Invivo, Solaris, The Andersons and Viterra, against the backdrop of the Pyramids at the Pyramids Sound & Light, provided a majestic setting for networking and appreciation of Egypt’s wonders. The Local Host Dinner at Al Qouba Palace, sponsored by Al Taj Flourmills, was a cultural extravaganza offering glimpses of Egyptian heritage.
Milling and Grain & International Milling Directory were honoured to be the Media Partner of the IAOM MEA Conference and Expo 2023, contributing to the dissemination of industry insights and fostering connections within the global milling community. As the conference concluded, the resonance of discussions, new innovations, and connections promised to reverberate across the industry, charting a path for continued advancements and collaborations in the years ahead.
The Expo, drew a diverse array of companies from various corners of the globe to showcase their innovations and expertise in the milling and grain processing industry. Visitors had the chance to explore a multitude of exhibits, each presenting a unique perspective on enhancing milling efficiency, improving grain processing techniques, and addressing industry challenges. Exhibitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Jordan, Turkey, Spain, China, France, Italy, Egypt and many other nations showcased their state-of-the-art equipment, software solutions, quality assurance measures, and technological advancements.
From the latest in digitalisation and automation to advancements in milling systems, silo designs, and grain monitoring solutions, the expo hall served as a melting pot of innovation and knowledge exchange.
Attendees had the opportunity to interact with experts, discuss industry trends, and explore possibilities to enhance their operations and productivity. The diversity and depth of exhibits underscored the global nature of the milling and grain processing industry, demonstrating the collective commitment of companies worldwide towards driving innovation and excellence.
The IAOM MEA Conference and Expo 2023’s expo hall proved to be an invaluable platform for industry players to showcase their advancements, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations, further solidifying the event’s position as a catalyst for industry growth and innovation. We would like to congratulate the IAOM MEA Team for this great organisation and looking forward seeing all our friends from our industry in the next IAOM MEA Conference and Expo which will be held in Dubai, BAE in 2024.
Published in the January 2024 issue of Milling and Grain.
