June 14, 2006

Buhler Inc gives US$500,000 grant to provide milling courses

Buhler Inc, a US company, has made a commitment of US$500,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation Changing Lives Campaign to sponsor the Buhler Industrial Milling Instructor Chair.

The chair supports a faculty member with industrial milling experience in the Department of Grain Science and Industry in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State. Kendall McFall, instructor in grain science, was named to the position.

His responsibilities include designing and providing short courses and training modules for millers in the international and North American grain processing industries.

McFall, who earned a bachelor's degree in milling science and management at the university, said he hopes to build upon Buhler's endowment and give back to the industry employees who are better-prepared for the challenges ahead.

The university's department of grain science and industry is working with the International Association of Operative Millers to provide professional miller certification through seminars, correspondence and hands-on training.

Buhler Inc is a supplier of production systems, engineering solutions and associated services. The company develops technologies in the fields of processing and bulk solids handling for food and nonfood industries, as well as die-casting.

The company's priority is to improve customers' productivity and competitiveness, said Rene Steiner, president of Buhler's North America division, adding that education and training are very important values that secure future success. Buhler's contribution will help to provide the tools to maintain and exceed the knowledge and know-how in grain science for future challenges, she said.