Gudo Klein Gebbink, Regional Manager Asia-Pacific, Provimi NW Europe:
I joined Provimi in October 1999. Provimi was a very logical choice since I am internationally focused and have a university degree in Animal Nutrition. I became interested in the Group since I thought I could fulfil my ambitions within this company culture and worldwide network, technically as well as commercially.
I have worked 1½ years for the R&D Department. After that, I became key account manager for our export sales in a number of different export markets worldwide. In January 2009, I became responsible for the coordination and growth of our sales in the Asia-Pacific region.
Provimi gives you a lot of room to grow. If you are open to change and willing to work hard, a lot of very interesting career perspectives are available. Recently, training and leadership development has received much more attention which will make the organisation stronger and more interesting. Furthermore, the company culture attracts an interesting mix of dedicated people who are fun to work with in a team.
At Provimi, I work daily in a challenging dynamic environment and this has been the case since I began working for Provimi. If you ask me, daily business is still the best training ground.
The personal development plans that are in place are the basis for further education and development programmes. I have been given the opportunity to follow INSEAD training programmes and several other programmes on sales and language training. The internal Leadership Development Programme has also been a good tool for self-reflection and has motivated me to manage my team more effectively.
At Provimi I have been fortunate that new challenges have crossed my path at the right moment. With an enormous amount of change having taken place, an environment which stimulates continuous improvement has emerged in which high performance is rewarded. People who think and act along these lines can take advantage of the numerous opportunities the Group offers. It’s not just about what is being offered, it’s also about being up to the challenge and going the extra mile.
Our current strategy was a must for our organisation. Across Asia we are deploying a number of initiatives that go beyond existing structures because we see the benefits of a leveraged organisation to all parties involved. This definitely includes the most important stakeholder of all, our current customers and potential customers. By combining our strengths as a multinational we can offer them a more complete package deal.
Adriano Marcon, Managing Director Nutron in Brazil:
I was looking for a challenging international business environment which offered opportunities to learn and room to implement business best practices. I started as a Purchasing Manager at Nutron in August 1998. The trading division I set up a year later fell under my responsibility. Then I became Director of Operations. After having worked ten years at Nutron, I became the Managing Director of that company.
Provimi offers a very dynamic business environment where learning opportunities are prevalent. The changes we have been through not only expose us to global best practices, but also give us opportunities to become active in implementing them. Provimi encourages us to proactively contribute to the improvement of our business practices. By fostering the Group’s cooperation values it is possible to collectively build a legitimate shared agenda.
As Managing Director of Latin America, the challenges involved in making the Business Unit the biggest and the best of its home market, went hand in hand with opportunities to develop personal skills. As in developing strong skills in disciplines such as strategy, execution, change management, team work and team leadership, operations etc. In addition to this, it is of utmost importance to have a deep knowledge of the agribusiness market and its main drivers in order to set the right priorities. The opportunity to learn and to implement global initiatives means development is pushed forward. The Management Development programmes that Provimi has sponsored, such as the Leadership Development Programme and the Advanced Management Programme (INSEAD), have had a strong impact on my development as well.
A good definition of what Provimi is today: a company which challenges you professionally. There are a number of challenges, among which improving business performance and training people. Others are: diligently implementing best practices, working efficiently in a diverse and international environment, collaborating beyond your business unit, managing your day-to-day business agenda while striving towards building the foundation for the future. It all makes Provimi a perfect environment for those with the knowledge and the courage to “shape tomorrow’s nutrition”.
It’s clear that management has chosen and prioritised the right agenda. Provimi today is a very professional company in many areas. Our global initiatives have led to a higher performance. The 2010 record performance in a crisis year is probably the clearest evidence that the Group’s strategy is right. I also believe that these initiatives have a strong impact on the retention of highly professional employees, who are naturally proud of being part of a top team and geared towards outperforming the industry.
Natalia Shilova, HR manager Provimi Russia (Moscow):
During my career my aim has always been to be both a HR Director and a HR business partner, by participating in decision-making involving HR projects and in managing their implementation.
I joined Provimi in 2008 as HR Manager of the cluster Russia. Before that, I was responsible for recruitment, training and development, employee branding, internal communication and organisational development in several other multinational production companies.
I was initially attracted to Provimi because of its change management programme. When facing a difficult international economic situation, it is obvious that a company can only achieve success if it accepts change with open arms. Provimi’s focus on forecasting and risk management is necessary.
From the very beginning, I was involved in global projects which were implemented all over the world. Projects such as the global software tool ProPeople allows the monitoring of practically all HR issues. Another example is succession planning and career development via the Leadership Development Programme, designed especially for Provimi to ensure that our employees all over the world share the same values (“speak one language”) and continue to develop these values within the Holding. All part of our One Provimi strategy!
In 2009, I was promoted and became HR Director of the cluster Russia. I am responsible for the implementation of global HR initiatives in Russia. Provimi is continuously improving, an ongoing process which characterises our company. This is why Provimi employees are continually challenged in their professional and personal development. Continuous improvement and development of human resources means that Provimi can count on a successful future!
Simon Tibble, Technical Director Swine Group of Feed Solutions:
I joined SCANuTec in 1990 as a pig nutritionist and some three years later the Provimi Group purchased SCANuTec. I then became swine technical manager at SCANuTec, which was a dynamic forward-looking and technically-advanced animal nutrition company. Technically driven, just like Provimi is.
In 1999, I was promoted to technical director at SCA in Spain. When the Iberia cluster was formed in 2007, I also became technical director of the cluster. In March 2009, I joined Feed Solutions as the Swine Group’s technical director. In terms of my own development, Provimi has been very supportive over the past seventeen years.
Historically, I like the Group’s global position, with its focus on local businesses. The result of this mix of global and local is a strong customer base and confident staff.
If I look back at the opportunities I’ve had, they have all been rewarding and challenging. The most recent interesting initiative has been the development of Feed Solutions with its entirely new approach and way of thinking, which is very much geared towards our customers and the future. As technical director of the Swine Group I am co-responsible for creating a global strategy for piglets, the latest challenge Provimi has offered me.
This is exactly the way Provimi needs to progress. I believe that with Feed Solutions we are on the right track in improving our offer to our customers worldwide and when it comes to providing quality feed programmes and services.
Chad Meeks, Director of materials management, Provimi North America Inc.:
I first joined the Group in February 2000 as plant manager for Vigortone in Weatherford, Texas. I was particularly impressed with the organisation’s emphasis on nutritional science and technology, as well as its business structure.
During the course of several years, Provimi has given me the opportunity to work as a regional plant manager in Fremont, Nebraska, and later at the Lewisburg, Ohio, facility. My most recent career move has been to Provimi North America’s materials management department, where I now oversee purchasing, pricing and toll manufacturing support as director of materials management.
Through opportunities such as the Leadership Development Programme and INSEAD training, I have been able to exchange ideas and learn with my international colleagues. I have experienced tremendous personal growth, and continually strive to enhance my leadership skills. I find the global collegiality of this organisation exciting and enriching, as I exchange information and ideas with animal nutrition experts from around the world. In a competitive, global marketplace, my work with Provimi constantly challenges me to help find the best way to bring value to our customers and the market.
With our strategy One Provimi, we are taking a strategic leap into an even more effective and efficient future.
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