There are products that are indispensable in our everyday lives and kitchens, but about which we do not know everything by a long shot. One such indispensable product is sugar. This inconspicuous ingredient is the result of a fascinating and little-known manufacturing process.
As you read these lines, it is the peak of the beet year. The campaign, as it is also known in the industry, is a logistical challenge for everyone involved. It takes place in October, November and December and is the most intensive period of production.
In the two plants of the Swiss Sugar Ltd. Aarberg and Frauenfeld, 10,000 tons of beet are currently delivered from all over Switzerland every day for processing. During the campaign, work is carried out around the clock in three shifts. This results in more than just 1500 tons of granulated sugar. Production is so efficiently organized and sustainably oriented that even waste products are given a second life: The soil washed off the beet is processed into recycled plant soil by the subsidiary Ricoter. The shredded beet cuttings are in turn used to produce animal feed. The comprehensive recycling of sugar beet makes a decisive contribution to the good eco-balance of the Swiss Sugar Ltd.. This also includes high energy efficiency, the consistent recycling of waste heat and waste water treatment during sugar production.
Steve Howe has been plant manager at the Swiss Sugar Ltd.. The experienced senior manager has proven management experience in the food, animal feed and process industries. Prior to his time in Switzerland, he worked in the sugar industry in England for 17 years, learning production from the ground up: first as a shift supervisor, project manager and production plant manager. He then worked in the food and animal feed industry for 10 years before returning to the sugar industry as Head of Technology & Maintenance at Swiss Sugar Ltd.where he has risen to plant manager. Steve Howe is particularly interested in lean production, constant organizational development and continuous improvement in all areas.
As a manager, he has a hands-on mentality and leads his diverse team with passion and likes to lend a hand himself. So it's not unusual to see him walking through the plant in a fleece jacket and rubber boots, with the typical caramel fall scent of beets in the air. Find out more about his career to date and his private and professional habits in our interview of the month.
Mr. Howe, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"Outdoor leisure activities - mountain guide or something similar. During my studies, I was president of various mountaineering and cycling clubs and I am still very passionate about both sports today. If I hadn't studied engineering back then, I would probably still be working as a mountain guide, bike guide or something similar."
What is your favorite way to start your day?
"A hearty and leisurely breakfast with my wife is very important to me, but after that I get on my road bike. I ride my road bike to work at least twice a week - that's 30 km each way. In summer, I ride my road bike in the mountains even more often. Even at the weekend, I don't like to sit around for hours reading the newspaper in the morning, but like to get out as quickly as possible. We either go hiking with my wife or go cycling. I'm always drawn to the fresh air."
What does success mean to you personally?
"In the sugar industry, everything is put to the test during the campaign. If the new team that has come together works well together, that's a great success for me. Personally, it is important to me to promote the development of my employees within the company. When I then see the development steps in practice during the campaign, that means success for me. Basically, I like working in Production and Operations because you can measure and see success in concrete terms."
What would you work for free for a week?
"Somewhere where I could support disadvantaged children. My wife and I enjoy doing integration work together with the Swiss Red Cross. For example, we give language lessons at home. However, we would like to travel to Africa or Asia one day - not just for a week, but for one or two years - and teach and support children there."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"Every day you should do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, get out of your comfort zone, so to speak. This can be an unpleasant decision, taking an unfamiliar risk and making mistakes. This strengthens your willingness to change, you learn from your mistakes and remain agile."
We would like to thank Mr. Howe for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
