Baking & Snack - November 2022 - 10

ABA and BEMA
partner on Nexus
Bimbo conducts
regenerative ag pilot tests
Further expanding the range of its sustainability projects, Grupo
Bimbo SAB de CV, Mexico City, has launched regenerative agriculture
pilot tests both in Mexico and the United States, said
Daniel Servitje, chief executive officer.
Calling regenerative agriculture a " huge initiative, " Mr. Servitje
said agriculture accounts for the largest proportion of Bimbo's
Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, meaning emissions in a company's
value chain but not from assets owned or directly controlled
by the company.
He said changing growers' agricultural practices in a way that
adopts regenerative agriculture techniques will take years and that
Bimbo sees working closely with flour millers as " key " toward
making progress.
No-till/low-till farming, cover crops and crop rotation are
among numerous techniques considered part of regenerative
agriculture. In Mexico, Bimbo has been working with the famed
International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center (CIMMYT,
established by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug),
based in El Batan, Mexico, to pilot regenerative agriculture projects
in that country. Mr. Servitje said the early results of the pilot
tests have been impressive.
" When you go through the steps, instead of emitting carbon,
you actually capture carbon, " he said.
Bimbo has committed to become a net-zero carbon emissions
company by 2050 with specific targets for 2030 and 2040. Mr.
Servitje said already the company's baking plants at present derive
88% of their energy from renewable sources, including solar panels
that have been installed or contracts with third parties.
The company recently announced plans for a significant expansion
in its electric vehicle fleet in Mexico. Mr. Servitje said spending
money on these vehicles is emblematic of the way the company
stays focused on the long term. While the vehicles are significantly
more expensive to purchase than conventional vehicles,
they enjoy reduced operating and maintenance costs immediately.
" On the renewable side, everything pays for itself, " Mr.
Servitje said.
- Josh Sosland, Milling & Baking News
10 Baking & Snack November 2022 / www.bakingbusiness.com
The baking industry's growth relies on the nexus of ideas between
cross-functional, multi-level teams from all partners in the baking
industry. Every three years, the American Bakers Association
(ABA) and BEMA provide that venue with the International
Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), complete with a global equipment
and supplier expo. To maintain IBIE's positive momentum
in non-IBIE years, BEMA and the ABA have partnered again for a
new business-forward event called Nexus.
An event designed for all baking sector team leaders, the first
Nexus is Sept. 25-28, 2023, in Dallas.
The event aims to advance the business needs of the industry
by facilitating education and collaboration for a wide range
of baking sector employees. The conference's three pillars will
guide Nexus' program strategy: Spark Sessions, IBIEducate and
Industry Collaborations.
In Spark Sessions' private meeting spaces, bakers and suppliers
will gather for in-depth discussions on specific business challenges.
Based on attendee input, the topics could include equipment
needs, ingredient and engineering innovation, and the status
of current or future projects. BEMA and the ABA expect Spark
Sessions to include attendees from a broad range of professional
levels and areas of expertise, from the C-suite to manager, from
research and development to procurement and human resources.
IBIEducate will provide Nexus attendees with hands-on learning
workshops, industry trends presentations and business needs
discussions. Educational sessions will include breakout groups
that encourage active participation.
Working together is how the business of baking gets done, and
the Industry Collaborations pillar of Nexus creates the space for
those collaborations. BEMA and the ABA plan to conduct various
member meetings during Nexus in addition to networking events
where industry members can interact in less formal settings.
The Industry Collaborations pillar also will empower the next
generation of baking industry professionals from all parts of the
industry. Nexus will provide an entry point for those attendees
to learn from others, share their experiences and develop their
professional skills.
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - November 2022

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