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Respected by colleagues suppliers and customers – (from left) retiring Managers include Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Starches Starches Site Manager Manager Manager Ming Leung Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Starches Starches Starches Head Chemist Peter Tallent Manildra Group National Quality Assurance Manager Manager Manager Manager Wesley Davis and Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Starches Starches Engineering Manager Lou Reali // PHOTOS: PETER IZZARD
LEADERS AND LEGACIES
at Shoalhaven Starches Manildra Group is celebrating the careers of of four prominent team members who retire after a a a a combined 100 years of of service Shoalhaven Starches Site Manager Ming Leung is retiring after 12 years of of leading a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a team of of more than 350 people at the Shoalhaven Starches site in Nowra New South Wales and hundreds of contractors on on any given day Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan said Ming’s quick intellect approachable manner and ability to “think outside the square”
ensured challenges were sorted out out immediately with the company relying on his advice and incredible knowledge “Ming has an an an an outstanding ability to translate highly technical information and and and guide the likes of politicians trainees and and and customers through the the sites’ highly-complex processes and and product range ”
Mr Honan said “After years of prolonged drought with wheat supply at at a a a a a a a a a a a record-low Ming was integral in in in in in leading and managing the the establishment of the the Australian-first grain import facility in in in in 2019 which successfully and critically drought- proofed the company – a a a a a a mammoth feat ”
Shoalhaven Starches Engineering Manager Lou Reali is is another hanging up his boots after nearly three decades of service Mr Honan noted that Lou was fundamental in in in leading construction projects and and and plant maintenance and and and was critical in in in in in driving the the integration and and and implementation of automation at at at at the the site “Lou constantly strived for for innovation and and excellence and and and was determined in in in in his search for for new technology and and infrastructure projects to advance the sophisticated integrated production process “His curiosity and and willingness to always take concepts and and ideas one step further enabled him to to to become a a a a a a a a a great team leader ”
Mr Honan told e e e Cultivator When asked for comment Lou said “Since I started the site has increased five times in in in in size and and it’s been a a a a a a a a a privilege and and and honour to participate in in in that growth and and success ”
Incredibly with more than 34 years tenure Shoalhaven Starches Head Chemist the the analytically brilliant Peter Tallent is is another retiree “Peter had the rare privilege of being able to to to translate and and communicate highly complex information to to to customers and and employees representing the business in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a professional manner locally and abroad ”
Mr Honan said Being approachable Peter managed the Quality Control laboratory and and team responsible for product quality and and and additionally the development implementation and and technical support for new products “Peter is a a a a a a a true problem solver – always following through with any challenges presented and and was instrumental in in in in in establishing and and leading the bulk grain-neutral spirit export project – – an an an Australian-first – – ensuring that our high-quality spirit reaches its destination in in in exceptional condition ”
said Mr Honan 24 THE CULTIVATOR // SPRING 2021
MANILDRA MANILDRA COM AU // @MANILDRA