Drives the "Live Healthy" message across trade partners to benefit the community

Al Ain, May 26, 2009: Grand Mills - one of UAE's pioneering manufacturers of high quality flour and animal feed - is conducting the 6th Technical Seminar on feed business at the Intercontinental Hotel in Al Ain on May 26-27, 2009. Established since 1978, Grand Mills has been in the business for several decades and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi based Agthia PJSC, a public joint stock company with interests across several FMCG categories.

The two day seminar/workshop embodies transfer of technical knowhow from world renowned Nutritionists, Veterinarian, and International Dairy Counsulates, who would be sharing their expert knowledge on: Effective Dairy Production, Vitamin Product Forms Comparison and its Effect on Dairy Production, Improving Health and Performance of Dairy Cows, Chicken, Health and Management Considerations, and Quality Assurance of Feed, among other technical information.      

Mr. Jacek Plewa, General Manager, Grand Mills for Flour and Feed, said, "The 6th Technical Seminar/Workshop is an extension of Grand Mills' 'Live Healthy' message, and aims at the transfer of technical knowhow to its trade partners that will enable them to upgrade their knowledge as well. This inturn will prove to be beneficial for businesses to further augment their growth more effectively, by making use of the best practices and products. We, at Grand Mills help our trade partners make the best animal feed nutrition choices everyday, and our focus lies entirely on food safety as the prime criteria for making these choices. We want to reinforce the message: 'the right quality of feed will only result in the right quality of food' across to all our trade partners, along with the technical skill set that will prove beneficial for their respective businesses and consumers."

The 6th Technical Seminar and Workshop hosts the following speakers:

-Dr. George Kamande, Director Technical Services, Diamond V.  His experience has been in the area of nutritional biochemistry and rumen function in dairy cows with numerous scientific and industry publications.  He has an earned PhD from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the University of Iowa.

-Dr. Peter Windausen, Technical Manager Nutritionist, DSM.  Joined DSM in 1993 and has responsibilities for animal health & nutrition in the vitamins, enzymes, and carotenoids. He holds a PhD from the University of Bonn in Animal Nutrition. 

-Dr, Richard Patton, is an International Dairy Consulate with 30 years of transferring technical information to the dairy producer in over 25 countries. For 16 years an adjunct professor at Pennsylvania State University and has 25 peer review journal publications and holds two patents  He also has done pioneering research for exotic animal nutrition for zoos.  He earned his PhD from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Animal Science.

-Dr. Mark Dekich is the Scientific Director at AviTech responsible for scientific development of new technologies for poultry health and production.  His 29 years of experience in Poultry health and management has been with 3 major broiler firms in the US and a major poultry firm in Saudi Arabia.  He has given professional poultry seminars throughout the world and has held the position of President of the Association of Veterinarians in Broiler Production.  He earned his DVM and a Masters in Avian Medicine from the University of Georgia.

-Mr. William Baldwin, Group Manager - QA, Agthia Group is responsible for all QA activity in all Agthia Companies.  He has 15 years experience of Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Health & Environmental Management.  He holds a BS in Chemistry and Quality Management with a MS in QA Management.

GRAND MILLS FOR FLOUR AND FEED COMPANY  

Since its inception in 1978, Grand Mills has pioneered in the flour milling and feed industry development in the Gulf region. The flour manufacturing facility, which is conveniently located at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi, boasts an impressive capacity of 260 metric tons per annum. The range has been expanded to become more diversified, and these initiatives have redefined the product category being offered by Grand Mills. Keeping in mind the company's progressive vision, it has also entered into a strategic partnership with a leading Greek manufacturer of flour and bakery products - Allatini Group. This alliance will facilitate transfer of technical know-how from Allatini S.A., a publicly quoted world leader in bread making and confectionary sectors, in operation since 1836. The company also specializes in frozen dough and operates a chain of retail bakeries and café outlets.

The animal feed mill which started production in 1981 produces 70 types of animal feed products and formulations, with a capacity of 325,000 metric tons. Among its 300 customers, Grand Mills feed products are predominately sold to animal farms and local markets, making it number one in the domestic market. The company has more than 300 employees.

Grand Mills for Flour and Feed Company is a fully owned and operated entity of Abu Dhabi-based AGTHIA Group P.J.S.C., which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADEX). Today, the AGTHIA Group (PJSC) owns two more thriving businesses: Al Ain Mineral Water Company- One of the fastest growing bottled water brands in the UAE.; and Al Ain Vegetable Processing and Canning Factory (Al Ain Vegetables) - UAE's leading player in canned and frozen vegetables.

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© Press Release 2009