Bühler has opened a cutting-edge Milling Academy at its headquarters in Switzerland. The 1,800-square-meter facility is designed to meet the evolving needs of the food and feed milling industry, combining decades of expertise with the latest technology and modern teaching methods.
The new academy comes at a crucial time for the milling industry, which plays a vital role in global food security but faces significant challenges. These include increasingly stringent food safety standards, the need for improved efficiency and sustainability, pressures from climate change, a shrinking skilled workforce, and supply chain volatility.
Stefan Birrer, Head of Business Area Milling Solutions at Bühler Group, emphasized the importance of the new facility: "We are empowering the next generation of milling professionals by offering advanced training, hands-on experience, and access to the latest technologies. This ensures customers can meet evolving industry demands and drive continuous improvement throughout the food and feed sectors."
The Milling Academy features three modern classrooms, break-out spaces for self-learning and group work, and an arena located directly in the machine park. It also houses two specialized laboratories for analytical training and electronics experimentation. A fully automated school mill, processing 24 tonnes per day, allows for industrial-scale training.
Dario Grossmann, Head of the Milling Academy, noted the facility's focus on educational methodology: "The construction of the Milling Academy gave us the opportunity to design and implement everything exactly the way it makes the most sense for our customer training programs. We also took the opportunity to create many more ways for interactive learning directly at the machines."
The academy offers over 100 courses annually to more than 750 trainees in seven languages. These modular courses cater to various professionals in the industry, from machine operators and head millers to plant managers and executives.
Early participants have praised the academy's design and approach. Oliver Efrain Romero Lucero, Continuous Improvement Manager at CMI Alimentos in Guatemala, commended the infrastructure and concept, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and the instructors' expertise.
The Milling Academy is part of Bühler's global learning ecosystem, which includes partnerships with Kansas State University in the US and facilities in China. It also connects with Bühler's network of research and training centers worldwide, including the African Milling School in Nairobi and specialized facilities like the Cocoa Competence Center in Côte d'Ivoire.
