Kalsec, a privately held producer and marketer of natural extracts for use in food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications, has named two new sales executives to its Asian Commercial team for the development of advanced hop products in the China and Asia Pacific region.

Henry von Eichel, Chief Executive Officer of John I. Haas passed away mid August shortly after his 64th birthday at his home in Austria. In his obituary, Alexander Barth, President John I Haas, praised his valuable service to the company: “His presence inspired those around him and his vibrant personality created close relationships around the world.”

Stabifix Brauerei-Technik KG announced the appointment of Jan Mika Unting to the position of Managing Director for Sales & Technology. Mr Unting, who will join Stabifix on 1 November 2012, will replace Klaus Niemsch, who will retire in 2013.

Deschutes Brewery has promoted Sean Garvin and Tim Alexander to serve as assistant brewmasters for the company. Both have played vital roles in the brewery’s growth over the last several years, in such areas as operations, waste management, quality control and, of course, the brewing of damn tasty beers. Both were selected for the positions based on their diversity of experience in the brewing industry.

Controlled isomerisation – commercial brews using the hop yield enhancer

Yield of hop bitter substances in brewing is insufficient, to say the least. Only 30 to 35 percent of bitter substances added oftentimes end up in the finished beer. This is an unsatisfactory situation for breweries. For that reason, attempts were oftentimes made to find solutions that could increase hopping effectiveness. Hertel GmbH developed a process and designed the associated equipment by consistently using basic process operations: this resulted in the hop yield enhancer. It can significantly increase yield of bitter substances in brewing.

Dr. Kajetan Müller is scientist at Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, Germany. He is working in the department material development and is responsible for the acquisition of projects and the mentoring of PhD students.

As of January 2012 Dr. Nikolaj Schmid (42) is part of the sales team at Stabifix Brauerei-Technik KG. He took over the position of Business Manager from Karl von Khreninger, who retired in October 2011.

Dr. Stefan Lustig, COO of the Munich-based BHI (Brauholding International), a German brewing group with brands such as Paulaner, Kulmbacher and Fürstenberg, will take over the position of President of The European Brewery Convention (EBC). Following the approval of the election of Dr. Lustig by the Board of The Brewers of Europe, the EBC´s Executive Committee has met on 10 November 2011 in Nuremberg for the official handover from outgoing President Mr. Christian von der Heide.

Emmanuel Rurema has been appointed as Director Business Development Africa for Pentair Clean Process Technologies (CPT). Effective January 1, 2012, Rurema will be responsible for growing business and coordinating sales operations for all CPT companies in Africa; with a primary focus on the food, brewing and beverage industries.

On 1 october 2011 Jens Neidhardt (44) took over as international Sales Director for the activities of GEA Brewery Systems GmbH, Kitzingen, Germany in the brewing and beverage industry. Neidhardt has many years of international sales experience in different industries, especially the food and beverage industry. Before joining GEA Brewery Systems, he served as Managing Director of Hamba Filltec GmbH in Saarbrücken, a member of the OYSTAR Group, and before that, he held the same position at SIG Combibloc Ltd in Great Britain.

Effective from 1 October, Andreas Baumgarth (47) assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the European Operations of WILD Flavors GmbH. He will be responsible for all aspects of the European business. Andreas Baumgarth will be a member of the Management Board and report directly to Michael Ponder, Global Chief Executive Officer.

When a hobby becomes a career

Eppan on the South Tyrolean Wine Road: A city blessed with a good climate; row after row of grapevines grace the hills, and the waters of Lake Caldaro sparkle in the distance. An authentic wine region! What possesses someone who is not from a brewing family and has no ties to the brewing industry whatsoever to establish a brewery here, in a wine region? We asked him. BRAUWELT International spoke with Lutz Philipp, owner of BergnerBräu GmbH in Eppan, Italy, and his business partners Beate Romen and Manuel Perktold.

Trade meeting in Milan

Milan does not only mean fashion – it also turns into a platform for producers, fillers and marketers from the beverage industry every two years, from wine, mineral waters, beer and carbonated beverages to juice and brandy or vinegars and oils. The average worldwide consumption of beverages amounts to over 4 billion hl, with tendency to rise. In beverage production, machines and producing lines also have to be cutting edge. Simei caters to these expectations. From 22 to 26 November 2011, visitors can see for themselves on the 90 000 m2 of the newly-built exhibition centre of fieramilano in Rho-Pero. On the occasion of the 24th edition of Simei BRAUWELT International talked with Lucio Mastroberardino, president of Unione Italiana Vini (holder of the Simei trademark since 2010).

Petainer has appointed Mark Ellis as group financial director. A qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Ellis has joined Petainer after 20 years with the RPC Group, including three years as general manager of two manufacturing sites. In his new role with Petainer he will be involved in and support effective commercial and strategic decision-making, corporate finance and funding strategies and will assist in identifying and evaluating acquisitions.