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VICTAM International turns 60 with eyes on what comes next
48 Plays10 days ago
VICTAM's Sebas van den Ende talks workforce shifts, automation, global market pressures and what he hopes exhibitors and attendees are talking about when VICTAM International opens its doors in Utrecht this June.
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Transcript
Introduction to the Feed Strategy Podcast
00:00:08
Speaker
Hi everyone, welcome to Feed Strategy Podcast. I'm your host, Jackie Remke, Editor-in-Chief of Watts Feed Brands. This edition of Feed Strategy Podcast is brought to you by FeedStrategy.com. FeedStrategy.com is your source for the latest news and leading edge analysis of the global animal feed industry.
Overview of Victam Trade Show
00:00:30
Speaker
If you've spent any time in the feed manufacturing and grain processing space, you've heard of Victam. The trade show has been bringing together equipment manufacturers, feed producers and industry innovators for 60 years now.
00:00:44
Speaker
And this June, Victam International 2026 returns to the Netherlands.
Interview with Sebas van de Eden
00:00:50
Speaker
I had the chance to sit down with Sabas van de Eden, who's been with Victam International since 2018 and has a front row seat to how the industry is evolving.
00:01:00
Speaker
We talked about what's driving change on the production floor right now and what he's hoping exhibitors and attendees are talking about when the show opens its doors.
00:01:11
Speaker
If you're planning to attend the exhibition this year or you're just curious what people running one of the industry's largest events are thinking about, this podcast is worth a listen.
00:01:23
Speaker
Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background. and My name is Sebas van den Ennen. My background, I'm working for Fig Tom industry now for eight years, since 2018 arrived.
00:01:37
Speaker
Before this, I was in Brazil for 13 years, not in the acry industry, but more, but I was involved in events. but But since 2018 in the with Victon, and since then we had to several inspiring and challenging times with Corona and of course now also with the geographical situation.
00:01:56
Speaker
But always, it's always interesting, always solutions for everything. This is why we're going to do a very nice Victon International 2026 coming month.
Global Challenges in the Feed Industry
00:02:04
Speaker
Excellent. So since you've been in the animal feed and grain processing industries, what in your opinion are the two or three dynamics that you think are most fundamentally reshaping how the industry operates?
00:02:21
Speaker
That's a good question. In general, we have two things here. We have the world's situation. It's always hectic and there's always things going on. The industry always have to adapt to.
00:02:32
Speaker
And now, for example, with the Middle East crisis, it means that flying could be harder. That people are more depending on local demand and local supply. So that's one thing.
00:02:43
Speaker
And the other thing, what we see of course in the world is bigger and bigger, more people. It means a lot more people to fit too. And that's a challenge. So more sustainable, more efficient, more effective production are always very important dynamics in this industry.
Diverse Participation at Victam Europe
00:02:59
Speaker
And typically what sort of international attendance do you see at TAM Europe? Now, Victim of Europe, that's our main event.
00:03:10
Speaker
It's in Europe, but it's not for Europe. It's a worldwide audience we see. We have several events in the world, for example, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and there we see more local visitor, but in the Netherlands or Europe, it's not only Europe, but it's there we see a lot of people from Africa, United States, South Africa, South America, Asia, everywhere actually.
00:03:31
Speaker
And based on your conversations with industry stakeholders, where do you see the most urgent need for new solutions and
Demand for Innovation and Regulation Compliance
00:03:39
Speaker
innovations? the main needs, it's always said there's new regulations from countries. There's more people in the world. So we have to do things better, quicker, more efficient, greeners, more sustainable. I think they're normally the most innovations we see in the industry. It's energy reduction always, a more sustainable,
00:03:58
Speaker
more effective production, more regional production. Those are typical developments we see.
Technological Adoption and AI in Feed Industry
00:04:05
Speaker
Feed manufacturing and grain processes you have historically seen a slower adoption of new technologies. And given the issues that you've already mentioned, I would say that it is changing.
00:04:17
Speaker
Where are you seeing the most meaningful adoption?
00:04:23
Speaker
There's slow adaption in the industry. Yeah, it's a very conservative industry. A lot of smaller producers of feeds. And so there was, i think once they bought a machine, they took a machine for 20 years. So the adaption and then the innovation industry was not too fast.
00:04:40
Speaker
What we see now, we see more and more integration, more companies, much bigger, way bigger, ah much more production. So where in the old days, companies bought a machine for 20 years. Now you see the bigger companies, they buy machines every day.
00:04:56
Speaker
So also with every day, there is a need for new technology. AI, of course, is a thing what we see. There's a lot of... talks about this, how can we integrate this in the industry and those techniques and technology is implemented in the industry the coming years.
00:05:12
Speaker
And when we're talking about equipment and new technology, of course, that relates heavily to the challenge of securing a reliable workforce.
Training Skilled Operators for Automation
00:05:21
Speaker
How is the industry thinking about developing the next generation of operators and engineers who increasingly work in automated environments?
00:05:31
Speaker
Yeah, it will be different. I mean, 20 years ago, feed mills were full of people with operators, with shifts and people were everywhere. And now, for example, if you go to the most modern mills, you almost don't see anyone. And there's a control room where people are.
00:05:46
Speaker
And that's basically the heart of the the factory right now. And that's most probably in the future of these industries. Instead of the engineers walking around to feeding the machines, now we see it's the control rooms, people reading data.
00:06:01
Speaker
That's probably a high trained staff they want to.
Preview of Victam 2026 Event Theme
00:06:05
Speaker
And let's talk about the upcoming event here in June. ah Why don't you set the stage for what visitors or potential of visitors could expect?
00:06:17
Speaker
It's a little bit with everything what we say. i'm International is now for 60 years. The first event was in 1965 when the industry and the situation was completely different. ah Interesting, by the way, is that we see still a lot of the same exhibitors who were there 60 years ago are still with us exhibiting.
00:06:35
Speaker
But during the years, and this is also the theme of this event, we see from past to future is the event. An exhibition is where people come together and talk, not talk only about the weather, but also what they will need and how they will need it. So important at Victim International this year, we have several conferences. One is from the FEFA, the European Feet Association.
00:06:58
Speaker
ah We have one, i have to see that's the scientific conference from the University of Wageningen and all those kinds of conference, you see the people talk, the theory and the practice come together.
00:07:11
Speaker
So where not only innovation is not only driven by what's needed today, but also more importantly about what's needed tomorrow. And this is one of the headlines of Big Time Disygun.
00:07:24
Speaker
And as you're walking around the show, what are the conversations that you're most hoping that exhibitors and attendees have, or what do you hope to overhear this year as you're making your rounds?
Future Needs and Innovations Discussion
00:07:37
Speaker
I hope to see you a lot of handshakes because that's always a good sign. So for us as event organizers, the rough content between exhibitors and visitors is the most important one. And what I hope they discuss now basically what I just said, I hope they talk about the future.
00:07:53
Speaker
I hope the world's is turning so fast. If they only speak about what's needed now in my factory. The moment there's a new machine, it's already old fashioned. So i hope they're really going to talk, okay, what can we implement the coming 20 years in our industry?
00:08:09
Speaker
And if we can realize this and this conversation, then I'm very happy.
Event Details for Victam International 2026
00:08:15
Speaker
The 2026 edition of Victim International will be held June 2nd to 4th in Utrecht in the Netherlands.
00:08:22
Speaker
If you'd like more information about the exhibition and the conferences surrounding the show, please visit www.victaminternational.com. Here you can learn how to participate, view the exhibitor profiles, check the conference schedule, and plan your trip.
00:08:41
Speaker
Thanks again for tuning