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IAOM Southeast Asia Region Meeting to Showcase Innovations, Education, and Industry Leadership

The International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) is excited to host its 13th Annual Southeast Asia (SEA) Region Meeting, which promises to deliver a dynamic blend of education, networking, and innovation. Set to take place from October 20-22, 2024, this year’s conference will offer milling professionals in the region an opportunity to expand their knowledge and connect with industry leaders. Featuring technical workshops, cutting-edge product demonstrations, and a bustling trade expo, the meeting will highlight key trends and advancements in the milling industry.

With a focus on practical, hands-on education and the latest developments in flour milling, this year’s SEA Region Meeting will be an invaluable experience for attendees seeking to enhance their operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving industry. Below is a breakdown of the key sessions and activities planned for this event.

Day 1: In-Depth Technical Education

The conference will kick off on Sunday, October 20 with a day dedicated to technical education. The morning begins with Pre-Conference Workshop Registration from 8:30-9:30 a.m., followed by an Introduction and Agenda Overview led by Jeff Gwirtz of JAG Services. This opening session will set the stage for a full day of learning by outlining the workshop’s key objectives and agenda items.

A major highlight of the day will be the technical sessions on Flour Specifications and Methodologies. Taking place from 9:45-10:45 a.m., this session will dive into the criteria and methodologies that millers can use to assess flour quality. Immediately after the morning break, the focus shifts to Flour Application and Its Role in Food Production, an essential topic for millers who want to understand how their product fits into the broader food production ecosystem.

Following lunch, the educational sessions will get even more specific, with a detailed examination of Flour Testing – Component Specific at 2:00 p.m., and a further breakdown of Dough Testing and Flour Performance during the afternoon sessions. These discussions will guide millers through physical, chemical, and dough-specific testing methodologies, offering critical insights that can enhance product quality and consistency. The first day will close with a look at how flour testing correlates with product performance, tying together the earlier sessions and giving attendees practical knowledge they can implement immediately.

Day 2: Educational Sessions and Expo Opening

The second day of the IAOM Southeast Asia Conference, Monday, October 21, will begin with a flurry of activity as the Exhibitor Registration & Setup takes place from 8:00-11:00 a.m., while Attendee Registration remains open throughout the day. The official Conference Opening and the On-Time Award Ceremony will be held from 9:00-9:30 a.m., featuring remarks from Raj Kumar Garg, IAOM SEA Leadership Council, and Mike Wiechman, IAOM Treasurer. This opening session will welcome attendees and highlight key milestones in punctuality and operational excellence within the industry.

The morning’s educational sessions will kick off with a Milling Overview of Indonesia, presented by Franky Welirang of Bogasari, one of the largest flour milling companies in Southeast Asia. Following this session, Matthew Rees of AEGIC will discuss how to Optimize Tempering & Mill Settings for Australian Wheat, providing actionable insights for millers dealing with diverse grain profiles.

A notable session for many attendees will be U.S. Wheat in Southeast Asia, delivered by Joe Sowers of U.S. Wheat Associates. This session will explore market trends and the role of U.S. wheat in the Southeast Asian market, making it an essential talk for those engaged in global trade. The Expo Opening follows at 11:00 a.m., giving attendees the chance to network, explore cutting-edge products, and connect with vendors.

After lunch, the afternoon sessions will focus on What’s New in the Industry, featuring rapid-fire presentations from leading technology and equipment providers. Sessions include Digitalization and Automation in Milling Plants, by Silvan Trunz of Bühler Group, and the latest innovations in plansifter technology from Furkan Inal of IMAS Grain and Feed Milling Systems. These brief but impactful presentations will provide millers with a window into the future of automation and efficiency in milling operations.

Rounding out the afternoon will be discussions on Process Automation and Economical Bagging Machines, both of which will explore solutions that can streamline operations while minimizing costs. The day will conclude with the Welcome Reception in the Expo Hall—an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues and explore the latest equipment and service offerings.

Day 3: Industry Insights and Closing Remarks

The final day of the conference, Tuesday, October 22, will open with continued access to the Expo and another round of educational sessions. Starting at 9:00 a.m., the program will begin with a Milling Overview by Budianto Wijaya of Bunga Sari, followed by a session on ADM’s Camp Hill Expansion Project, presented by Mike Wiechman of ADM. These talks will provide valuable case studies and practical lessons in improving milling operations.

At 10:00 a.m., attendees will gain insights into Maintenance and Operational Excellence in Flour Milling from Riyanto Pratiyo of Bühler Group, a crucial session for millers seeking to optimize production lines and reduce downtime. The Expo will remain open for networking and further business discussions until it officially closes at 11:30 a.m.

The day’s educational sessions will also cover essential topics such as Enhancing Grain Storage Safety and Grain Cleaning & Conditioning, led by experts like Dr. Anna Vega of Grain Technik Pvt. Ltd. and Halit Shasheet of Tanis Milling Technologies. These sessions will focus on boosting the efficiency and safety of grain storage, key concerns for milling professionals in the region.

To conclude the conference, Tom Thomas of Thomas Technologies will lead a session on Leading Flour Mill Development, providing leadership strategies and operational insights for flour mill managers. The conference will then close with remarks from Raj Kumar Garg and Mike Wiechman, recapping the event and offering a look forward to future IAOM meetings.

A Meeting Ground for Innovation and Collaboration

The IAOM Southeast Asia Region Meeting offers a valuable platform for networking, education, and discovering the latest technological advancements in the milling industry. Attendees can expect to walk away with practical knowledge that can be applied to their operations immediately, along with new connections that can help their businesses grow.

With a full schedule of educational sessions, technical workshops, and product demonstrations, the 2024 IAOM Southeast Asia Conference is set to be an enriching experience for all participants. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, enhance your operations, or simply connect with fellow millers, this event is an essential part of staying competitive in today’s fast-evolving market.



This Teutopolis-based company was featured on “How America Works with Mike Rowe.” The hour-long episode featured the milling company, its employees, wheat suppliers, and what role they play in the milling industry.

“We’re excited to work with Mike Rowe to show America what flour milling is about,” said Siemer Milling Company President Rick Siemer. “Most Americans eat wheat flour every day, and most Americans have never seen, or even thought about, a modern flour mill. This is a great opportunity for the Siemer Milling team to show how our industry supplies the country with 42 billion pounds of flour every year!”

The episode aired on December 5 on the Fox Business Network.

In just 40 weeks IAOM will be hosting its 123^rd Annual Conference & Expo in Denver, Colorado. We’re looking for volunteers to share their expertise and knowledge of all things milling during the two days of educational programming. You can be a part of helping millers around the world improve their efficiencies and enhance their skills.

Is your company using leading edge technology? Have you had good luck introducing a new way of doing something in the mill? How have you addressed issues related to employee safety? Food safety? Have you been working on upgrades in your mill or building a new mill?

IAOM is asking you to consider sharing your experience, your successes and lessons learned with the milling community at the upcoming conference. If you have something to share or a new product or innovation to introduce at the premier milling event in the world, please consider applying for a slot on the program. Our volunteer leaders will review applications and select those topics of most interest to the community.

Apply Online

We were at the 90^th Annual Kansas FFA Association Convention on May 30 promoting the milling science industry. Hundreds of FFA members from across Kansas were at the Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, for the event.

We visited with around 150 FFAers during the expo – sophomores to seniors, recent graduates and high school ag teachers. We shared information about the Milling Technician certificate program at Cowley College, and about the K-State milling science degree program at K-State.

Those students interested in more information about the certificate program were able to visit with Cowley College representatives who were also exhibiting at the show. The next group of students will start the Milling Technician program in August 2018. High school juniors and seniors are even eligible for a tuition waiver through a Kansas government program.