CREMONA, ITALY — The International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM)   Fundamentals of Milling courses will be held at Ocrim’s International School of Milling Technology in Cremona, Italy. The Ocrim school and training center, located in the center of Ocrim’s manufacturing workshops, allows participants to take advantage of a classroom setting with a nearby lab, as well as a full machine production center. In addition, a small pilot mill is available.

The Fundamentals of Milling I will be offered April 11-15 (registration closes on March 11). This technical training course is intended for employees, supervisors and managers closely associated with flour milling plant operations.

Participants will be introduced to general flour milling plant operations including the grain elevator, cleaning, conditioning, milling, packaging and warehouse departments. Special focus will be placed on grain cleaning, conditioning and milling equipment role in the milling process and system flow sheets. Wheat quality characteristics as well as the cleaning and condition impact on mill processing will be qualitatively explored. Flour quality specifications and quality measurements will be identified for basic bakery product systems. In addition to lecture and discussions, participants will be engaged in hands on laboratory and pilot-scale milling exercises.

Fundamentals of Milling II will be offered April 18-22 (registration closes on March 11). This technical training course is intended for employees, supervisors and managers directly associated with flour milling plant operations.

Participants will be introduced to a variety of technical and economic analytical tools for milling process evaluation. Technical tools to be presented include product granulation, cumulative ash, step chart development, and flow sheet equipment allocation analysis. Economic tools to be discussed include yield management, divide milling, and the impact of moisture on profitability. The impact of wheat quality characteristics, cleaning, and conditioning on mill operations will be quantitatively explored. Selected roller mill grinding, sifting, and purification variables will be examined in depth. Special emphasis will be put on mill balance and troubleshooting skill development during hands on laboratory and pilot-scale milling exercises.

Jeff Gwirtz of JAG Services will instruct both courses.  Gwirtz taught the courses last year and has also provided consultant and volunteer services to IAOM over the years.

Registration fee includes tuition, laboratory fees, books, special instruction, materials, transportation, and lunch on class days; fees do not include lodging and evening meals:
 
 One course: IAOM Member - € 1,950 | Non-Member - € 2,050
 Both courses: IAOM Member - € 3,700 | Non-member - € 3,900

Ocrim has reserved a block of rooms at the Hotel Continental with a special rate for course participants. This rate includes breakfast. Students will be responsible for their hotel, meals outside of the course, incidentals, and travel to/from Cremona.

For more information or to register online, click here.