Making a difference
Part of our Bühler fundamentals is to strive for more sustainable, safe, affordable, nutritious food. Therefore, Bühler is supporting Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), an NGO that is working towards strengthening food security, improving nutrition, and increasing economic development across Africa by expanding and increasing the competitiveness of the food processing sector. The latest impact report gives you more insights and numbers, but more importantly, you can read what our colleagues have experienced and say about it.
Lisa Mwaiseghe, June 1, 2021
PFS achieve their mission through linking corporate volunteers with promising entrepreneurs in 12 African countries. We are especially grateful for the strong engagement of our colleagues who continue to contribute and share their know how, despite an unprecedented global pandemic. 2020 was a year of continued momentum and growth in PFS engagement across Bühler geographies and functions – including all-time highs in activities and new volunteer recruitment.
The latest PFS impact report shows that in 2020, 55 of our colleagues engaged in 61 different activities. They contributed approximately 1,242 hours while working with 39 clients across 11 countries.
They shared their expertise and were able to assist African entrepreneurs in growing their businesses while supporting a supplier base of more than 335,000 farmers.
As of 2020, we had a total of 136 registered volunteers from all our locations, of which the 55 mentioned above were actively engaged in projects. The 136 registered volunteers represent an increase of more than 50% compared to 2019, when we had 90 registered volunteers. Along the way, our colleagues have reported an improvement in their leadership and problem-solving skills while gaining exposure and great insights in to emerging markets.
You don’t have to be an active Bühler employee to sign up to volunteer, even retirees can help share their knowledge. The key is to have a computer for the virtual volunteering.
Here are some links to get you started. Register as a volunteer www.partnersinfoodsolutions.com/signup and then check out the open roles and positions with this link www.pfs-volunteers.force.com/volunteers. For any questions, support, wishes or hurdles please contact Katharina Hilker at katharina.hilker@buhlergroup.com and or Lisa Mwaiseghe at lisa.mwaiseghe@buhlergroup.com.
Sorana Ionita started volunteering for Partners in Food solutions in 2019 to get to know more people and to “give back” by collaborating with entrepreneurs in Africa. The project manager was hesitant at first to volunteer, because she found it difficult to find the perfect project where her skills would be a fit. Now she recommends to just jump in if you are motivated to help even if the “perfect fit” does not exist. Here are six questions to Sorana Ionita.
1. Tell us more about yourself
Working at Bühler for almost 5 years now and enjoying the journey day-by-day. Apart from my job at Bühler, I consider myself to be a volunteer at heart, as I have been involved with and dedicating my “free” time to different organizations throughout the past 10 years. (One Young World, Partners in Food Solutions, ESTIEM [European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management], just to name some). I am a firm believer that we are all educators or have the capacity to educate the ones around us. Since I am a very curious person by nature, I enjoy learning from as many people and sources as possible, with the end-purpose of passing on the educator role and transferring the knowledge myself.
Surrounding yourself with the right people – from different countries and backgrounds and in a virtual setting – that is the way to go.
Sorana Ionita,
Project Manager Digital Factory Management
2. Why did you initially join PFS?
It all started with attending the “Exposure and Dialogue” Cocoa Sustainability program in Ghana in February 2019. That's how I became more aware not just about the entire supply chain and the bitter-sweet story behind the scenes of the cocoa and chocolate industry, but even more about the social and economic issues that are present in different African countries. Afterwards, I knew that I wanted to give back and contribute in one way or another. Just a couple of months later Katharina Hilker introduced me to Partners in Food Solutions. In the beginning I was hesitant to join, since none of the projects that I found on the PFS website seemed to fit or even come close to my field of work. A couple of weeks after this I discovered that the Nigerian cookie and biscuit producer Fastizers Foods and Confectionery had two open projects and I applied for the Client Lead position, which is similar to a project manager position. I have now been a Client Lead for Fastizers since almost two years and we have successfully carried out 5 projects so far.
3. What skills are you using when volunteering with PFS?
Specifically, for my client lead position, that would be the project management skills, organizational and inter-personal skills. However, PFS volunteers can apply their professional skills in food technology, food safety, business development, marketing etc. on a various range of projects that are tailored for certain African businesses.
4. What challenges have you experienced as a volunteer?
Our biggest problems as a team were never related to the project and tasks themselves, having cultural differences or distinct backgrounds. As simple as it sounds, the biggest challenges were of technical nature and happened due to poor internet connections, where the information did not go through properly or when a microphone was not functioning well.
5. You’ve volunteered on five projects. What motivates you to volunteer with PFS?
I think it’s the other way round. I volunteer for PFS; therefore, I am motivated. Maybe it’s a bit of a selfish reason why I am volunteering, but I am getting a lot out of it. Attending our project calls gives me energy for the day, as the client, program managers and volunteers are always extremely positive and goal oriented. Surrounding yourself with the right people – from different countries and backgrounds and in a virtual setting – that is the way to go.
6. Why would you recommend volunteering for PFS to your colleagues?
The current PFS project that I am involved with has 100% Bühler volunteers from the UK (United Kingdom), South Africa, and Austria. It was the first PFS project that I worked on where I met other Bühler colleagues, and it happens that all of us come from the same company. Not only is this the project that I'm having the most fun with, but under normal circumstances, we would have probably never met or worked together – also having diverse backgrounds in quality, health and safety, technical and supply chain management.
What I would recommend to other Bühler employees is to just check the PFS website for open positions and if there is the willingness and motivation to volunteer to just try it out. There will never a perfect position that fits your daily job description and that is waiting for your involvement. Also, it's more important if you align with the vision of the project or the vision of that specific African business. Just go for it and you will not regret it!
Alan Galloway is a Health & Safety (H&S) specialist, and when a Partners in Food Solutions project came up where his skills were needed, he was happy to take part. He enjoyed meeting so many new people, including Bühler colleagues, and to help support the client who was just starting out on the topic of H&S. While the thought of volunteering was daunting at first, he says that the leap of faith he took was worth it. Here are seven questions to Alan Galloway.
1. Tell us about yourself
I have been with Bühler for almost 5 years now and enjoy the daily challenges my work brings with it. Being a member of the IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) Manchester and northwest districts committee gives me an opportunity to help and support others just starting out in Health & Safety (H&S). I continue to treat every day as a day whereby I can continue to educate myself and others in H&S and I believe that knowledge is most useful when shared. Personally, I continue reading articles, books and learning in my area of expertise and I am currently studying for my diploma in H&S.
I thought it would be a great opportunity to help other countries that do not have the network, experience, help and support that we are lucky enough to have in the United Kingdom.
Alan Galloway,
QHS Facility & Compliance Manager
2. Why did you become a volunteer?
I must be honest I had not heard of PFS until I started with Bühler and thought it would be a great opportunity to help other countries that do not have the network, experience, help and support that we are lucky enough to have in the United Kingdom. I have to say I was very nervous to start a project with PFS as I did not know what to expect, however when I noticed Fastizers were looking for someone with H&S experience to help support and bring H&S up to a standard, I knew this was the job for me. I do believe that the more people that understand H&S the more they want to be involved so spreading the positive side and changing people’s perceptions of H&S is something I thrive on.
3. What skills are you using when volunteering with PFS?
The skills I am using are communication, learning to adapt my forms and information in a more simplistic way to enable countries that may not have the strict H&S laws and regulations we must use, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills.
The people you meet and the satisfaction from helping others is second to none. So, what are you waiting for?
Alan Galloway,
QHS Facility & Compliance Manager
4. What is your favorite part about volunteering with PFS?
The comradery is the biggest thing. This is the first PFS project I have help supporting and I have been lucky in that all the team comprises fully of Bühler personnel. I would never have met or spoken to these people under normal circumstances, and now that I have met and spoke with them, the spirit and enthusiasm they bring is second to none. They are a credit not only to Bühler but also to PFS.
5. What challenges have you experienced as a volunteer?
The main issue we are faced as a team is with technical internet connection issues. I also must think about the terminology I use, as being from Manchester not everyone understands the mancunian lingo.
6. What have you learned from your experience volunteering with PFS?
To be more flexible when it comes to other countries needs regarding H&S and a better understanding of people’s business roles within the business. We have a project, technical and supply chain, and quality manager all of whom have brought valuable experience to the project. I believe you can become quite blinded within your own job role and working within the Fastizers team has opened my eyes to what is involved and needed within each job requirement.
7. What would you say to a colleague who may be interested in volunteering with PFS, but is hesitant to start?
I would understand their hesitancy, but I believe it can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. If they have the aptitude, willingness, vision, and the time I would tell them to go for it and check out the PFS site. The people you meet and the satisfaction from helping others is second to none. So, what are you waiting for? Take that leap of faith and it will be personally rewarding.
Lindiwe Segalwe decided to start volunteering to not only benefit the client, but also herself. Working with people from around the world and knowing that client is really listening to your inputs and implementing them is something that drives her to work for them, like she would work for our customers. She points out that there is always something for everyone to contribute and learn. Here are seven questions to Lindiwe Segalwe.
1. Tell us about yourself
I started working for Bühler – BJHB (Johannesburg) September 2017, as a Technical Supply Officer which falls under Procurement / Supply Chain Management, making this year my fourth year with the organization. Outside of Bühler, I am a member and ambassador of SAWomEng (South African Women in Engineering) which focuses on creating awareness and encourages young girls to get into the engineering, science, and technology sectors. I am also a part-time mechanical engineering student, wife, and mom to a six-year-old. When I am not being a super woman, I indulge in activities that push me outside of my comfort zone, like running, exercise, hiking etc... somewhat they give me the strength to face my days more courageously.
I jumped at the chance because I believed that in one way or another volunteering would benefit both the client and myself – there's always something to gain when you give out and reach out.
Lindiwe Segalwe,
Technical Supply Officer
2. Why did you become a volunteer?
I like getting myself in projects that add value and have a positive impact on the communities at large – it comes naturally to share a part of myself when need calls for it. Our client –Fastizers based in Nigeria – required a team that possesses knowledge in health and safety, also on the aspect of maintenance and food safety, that happened to be one of my strongest points and something that I had deep knowledge of, so of course, I jumped at the chance because I believed that in one way or another volunteering would benefit both the client and myself – there's always something to gain when you give out and reach out. The interesting thing about Fastizers was that I had previously worked in the same Factory/Plant as them, same needs, same set up, same machines just different countries. It was like going back in time again – just with more experience and excitement knowing that the solutions would work for them too as well as they have been tried and tested.
3. What skills are you using when volunteering with PFS?
Communication skills, listening skills, soft skills (especially because you will be working and interacting 100% virtually on your projects) organization skills and some "project management" definitely. Volunteering for the PFS is almost the same as carrying out your actual work. Knowing that the client is listening to your inputs and implementing them requires you to have a critical work ethic and the ability to take responsibility for what you put out there. These skills will help you and carry you through when volunteering with PFS.
4. What is your favorite part about volunteering with PFS?
My meetings with my team members definitely! The exposure to content and things outside of my knowledge was always welcome. The exchange of information within the team was fantastic. Working with people all over the world, especially other Buhler colleagues at from other SAS's that I wouldn't have met, worked with, or interacted with outside of this was great. So, yea, it's the people for me.
have learnt that you lose nothing by sharing what you know – in fact you stand to learn so much more.
Lindiwe Segalwe,
Technical Supply Officer
5. What challenges have you experienced as a volunteer?
Outside of connectivity issues, nothing really.
6. What have you learned from your experience volunteering with PFS?
I have learned that you lose nothing by sharing what you know – in fact you stand to learn so much more. Also, as people, we shouldn't be living in silos, we are much smarter than we think, much more talented than we believe, and our ideas much more needed than we realize. All we need to do is find the courage to step outside of our comfort zones and put ourselves out there.
7. What would you say to a colleague who may be interested in volunteering with PFS, but is hesitant to start?
Go for it! Yes, some opportunities may be outside of your daily scope of work, not your area of expertise or field of interest – even so, there is always something for everyone to contribute and learn. You never know really what some opportunities have to offer until you try them out.
Valerie Brunner wants to continue to improve the global food processing value chain, and sure ensure that the foods we eat are safe. At first she was hesitant to offer her skills as a volunteer for Partners in Food Solutions, but she soon realized that even what seems to be the smallest support, is a huge value. Here are seven questions to Valerie Brunner.
1. Tell us about yourself
After my Master's degree in Food Science at ETH, I started in the CT Lab in the area of Physics and Microscopy and am now Project Manager Lab Analytics. Already in my first week I came in contact with PFS. Since then, I have been supporting the program with all the diverse projects, companies and people.
2. Why did you become a volunteer?
I am involved with PFS because I am confident that we can improve the global food processing value chain to provide safe and nutritional food for everyone.
3. What skills are you using when volunteering with PFS?
Everything!
My favorite part about volunteering is to look at things that I take for granted or that are part of my everyday work from a different perspective.
Valerie Brunner,
Project Manager Lab Analytics
4. What is your favorite part about volunteering with PFS?
To look at things that I take for granted or that are part of my everyday work from a different perspective. This can be through the PFS customer or through my volunteer colleagues from other companies and countries. Seeing things with another perspective.
5. What challenges have you experienced as a volunteer?
The biggest challenge so far has been when the customer has not attended the meeting for an exchange for several weeks.
6. What have you learned from your experience volunteering with PFS?
What I have learned through PFS is to be patient.
What I have learned through PFS is to be patient.
Valerie Brunner,
Project Manager Lab Analytics
7. What would you say to a colleague who may be interested in volunteering with PFS, but is hesitant to start?
Just starting out as an "ask an expert" helped me a lot to slide into the first project and to learn and understand how PFS works. In the beginning I was very unsure if I could really help and had the feeling in all projects that I could not contribute much. This is absolutely not the case, most of the time even small things help and don't forget, you are not alone. There are always several volunteers in a project, which means that the cooperation brings the project further. What I can absolutely recommend is to get in contact with the responsible PFS contact person of a project to learn more about the question, what is wanted and who the client is. Of course, Katharina Hilker and Lisa Mwaiseghe at Bühler are always a good point of contact.
Paul Coia interviews Jeff Dykstra, Partners in Food Solutions, as well as Katarina Slettengren and Andy Sharpe from Bühler about the volunteer program. Future is now series from NWDs 2019.
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