WEST PERTH, AUSTRALIA — CBH Group said on March 12 that it has sent six Western Australian growers to Southeast Asia to gain a first-hand understanding of international customer requirements and the cooperative’s investments in the region.

The eight-day international study tour, which departed Perth, Australia March 8 and returns March 16, coincides with the Global Grain Asia 2012 conference in Singapore, March 13-15.

The growers are Darren Keeffe from Moora; Jeffrey Stoney from Manypeaks; David Fetherstonhaugh from Esperance; David Preston from Mullewa; Travis Stanley from Kalannie and Russell Inman from Cadoux.

The growers will be travelling with CBH Grain Head of Accumulation Richard Simonaitis; Southeast Asia Regional Marketing Manager Leith Teakle; Wheat Quality and Technical Manager Natalie Maguire and Director Trent Bartlett.

CBH Group Chairman Neil Wandel said the tour will take in Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore and will include visits to a number of leading CBH Grain customers and their facilities before attending the Global Grain Asia conference.

"The tour is aimed at fostering the link between grain growers and end-user customers and also provide an increased understanding of the flour milling process and quality requirements needed to maximize performance," Wandel said. "Among the highlights of the trip are tours of the Bogasari Mill and an instant noodle factory in Jakarta; Pundi Flour Mill in Cilegon; and meeting with PT Eastern Pearl Flour Mills officials.

"The tour will also visit Interflour Vietnam's port and mill, part of the Interflour Group, CBH's joint venture with the Salim Group.

"We believe the study tour will strengthen the relationship between the CBH Group, growers and customers and the benefits will flow on to influence the attendees' grain growing operations and the wider community."