This year’s “VLB Frühjahrstagung” kicked off with a site visit to Brouwerij Martens in Kaulille/Bocholt, Belgium. The brewery tour covered almost all aspects of the brewing process, starting at the malt delivery stations and ending at the filling lines. Afterwards, all 300 participants were invited to an informal get together to the Martens Museum in Bocholt – the Museum of Friendship.

Frutarom Ltd., the seventh largest company in flavors and specialty fine ingredients, has appointed Salvatore Gargano as General Manager of its Health Business Unit. Gargano comes to Frutarom following six years as Global Director of the “Actives” division of the Care Chemicals Business Unit of Cognis Group (Laboratoires Serobiologiques brand) and as GM of division activities in Cognis Group’s Spain subsidiary (Barcelona).

In a meeting on 19 January 2010, the supervisory board at WEENER Plastik AG, Weener, appointed Johann Meinders as the new chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Meinders succeeds Johann Schröder, who will take over chairmanship of the supervisory board with immediate effect.

Since January 1, 2010, Jan Pörksen is new Customer Marketing Director at Diageo, world’s leading premium drink business. In his new position, Pörksen is responsible for Diageo’s product portfolio on German, Austrian, and Swiss markets. Newly created, the position

Robert H. Chapman, chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc., has announced the appointment of Simon Lagoe to the role of director for the company’s diversified U.K. operations, which includes six manufacturing facilities operated by five Barry-Wehmiller business units. In addition, Lagoe will continue his role as managing director of the Nottingham, U.K., operation of HayssenSandiacre, a Barry-Wehmiller company specializing in vertical and horizontal form, fill, and seal technology and services.

Three new directors have been appointed by leading food and drink consultancy Zenith International. They are all internal promotions and take effect from 1st January 2010.

As of earlier this month, Pierre-Olivier Bergeron has taken over as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, succeeding Rodolphe de Looz-Corswarem who retired at the end of 2009.

Ball Corporation, Broomfield, USA announced in November that John A. Hayes will become president of Ball at the beginning of 2010. Hayes, who will remain chief operating officer for the corporation, also will join Ball’s board of directors at that time.

Symrise AG has selected two new members of the Executive Committee. The Supervisory Board has installed Hans Holger Gliewe as the new head of the Flavor & Nutrition division with immediate effect. He succeeds Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram in this role who has been serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Symrise since July 1, 2009 while simultaneously managing the division for an interim period.

The previous spokesman for the management of Oystar A+F, Stutenberg, Germany,Volker Wörmann will leave the company in pursuit of new tasks at the end of 2009. As a result the company has been managed by Christoph Giese (43) since October 2009. His principal task will initially be to redefine the product portfolio at OYSTAR A+F as well as to develop the company’s international sales and marketing.

Jörg Croseck was appointed CEO of Carlsberg Deutschland in August 2008. He took over from Wolfgang Burgard, who was first CEO of Hannen Brauerei until he in 2004 was appointed CEO of Holsten-Brauerei in Hamburg (later Carlsberg Deutschland). When he stepped down as CEO in 2008, he remained Director on the Board of Holsten-Brauerei AG, he was appointed President of the German Brewers Association, and he has continued working on strategic tasks for Carlsberg Deutschland.

Achim Winter will be handing over the CEO role after many years of successful management in which he substantially transformed and positioned the Group for European-wide growth. After having successfully integrated CCR Logistics AG, Vfw GmbH, and Cycleon Netherlands B.V., Mr. Winter will complete his long-planned transition out of operational management. He will remain a shareholder and an active member of the Supervisory Board of RLG with responsibilities including networking, lobbying, and international acquisitions.

Dipl.-Ing. Dario Cotterchio (age 26) started at the Research Center in April 2009. His current scientific focus comprises the elaboration of the measurement parameter “redox potential” and its introduction in brewing industry.

Dipl.-Ing. Hubertus Schneiderbanger (age 26) supports the team as a consulting engineer in the area of brewing technology and microbiology.