Bühler Aeroglide, a global leader in thermal process engineering and technology for food, feed, and industrial materials, has announced a new vice president of business development. Andy Sharpe has been appointed to develop Bühler Aeroglide\'s global markets, as well as lead product development for the company worldwide.
As Vice President of Business Development, Sharpe will work closely with market managers worldwide to maximize the company\'s profit performance. With over 18 years of experience with Bühler Aeroglide, Sharpe is recognized by an ability to identify precise opportunities for innovation by discovering un-met customer needs. Working across all functions of the organization, including sales, marketing, research and development, engineering and manufacturing, Sharpe is slated with developing and producing products ideally suited for the specific requirements of the company\'s core markets. In addition to his new role, Sharpe will continue as the Product Director, Global Food and Feed, monitoring market trends and leveraging Bühler Aeroglide\'s engineering and manufacturing expertise to support global customer needs.
\"Innovation in product development is a central driver of business growth but it requires a dedicated process for nurturing and commercializing valuable opportunities and excellent knowledge about the markets,\" said Bühler Aeroglide President and CEO Hans-Joerg Ill. \"Andy\'s new role reflects a new, company-wide focus to this particular kind of innovation, and one that we believe will make a lasting difference for the customers and industries we serve.\"
Sharpe\'s customer and market knowledge stems from a variety of positions with Bühler Aeroglide. In 1996, he was hired as market manager to establish the company\'s European office in Stamford, UK. Next, he was appointed regional director to serve market needs for the company\'s European, Middle Eastern and African markets. Prior to joining Aeroglide, Sharpe served as business manager for the snack and cereal division of APV Baker in Peterborough, UK, where he marketed complete food processing lines.
\"At Bühler Aeroglide, product development involves a deep and thorough understanding of industry needs combined with engineering expertise, robust manufacturing and scientific analysis,\" said Andy Sharpe, VP of Business Development. \"Game-changing innovations can only be identified through a process that perpetuates customer involvement. In my new role, I will leverage these opportunities in a cross-functional way that allows the company to bring revolutionary solutions to the industries we service.\"
Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, USA, Bühler Aeroglide is one of 16 divisions within the Bühler Group, based in Uzwil, Switzerland. The Aeroglide business, founded in 1940 as American Potato Dryers, became an innovator in process and equipment manufacturing for food and feed industries. In 2004, Aeroglide acquired National Drying Machine Corp. in Philadelphia, PA, and expanded into industrial markets. Then, in 2008, Aeroglide was acquired by Bühler Group which operates in over 140 countries. Today, Bühler Aeroglide is known as the drying center of competence for Bühler, offering industry specific expertise to the food, feed and industrial markets with process and mechanical knowledge tailored to operating requirements. The company employs approximately 300 employees and maintains sales and service offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Stamford, UK; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
