Processors day
27 May 2026
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Peet Grobler
Chairperson, regional section, South Africa: European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG)
EHEDG-authorised trainer
Managing product integrity through hygienic design
With over 42 years’ experience, Grobler has acquired extensive expertise in hygiene, food safety, and hygienic design across the food and beverage industry. His experience spans multiple sectors, including agriculture, fish and poultry, processed foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and dairy.
He has actively contributed to working groups responsible for reviewing and revising national standards and is qualified in the design and auditing of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and food safety management systems. In addition, he has led and championed due diligence projects, including the implementation of food safety management systems for both local and international clients.
Grobler is privileged to present on the topic of hygiene, food safety, and hygienic design at various events arranged by industry associations, universities, and customers. As subject matter expert, Grobler presented at international conferences, including the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) Africa at Sun City South Africa and the All Indian Brewing event in India.
Brendan Vorster
Director and part-owner: BMD Projects Engineering (Pty) Ltd
Affordable , reliable, locally designed and manufactured food grade equipment and services
Brendan Vorster is a director and part-owner of the family-owned business, BMD Projects Engineering (Pty) Ltd, which has been operating since 1999.
Based in George, the Western Cape, Brendan brings a deep passion for precision engineering and innovation within the dairy and food processing industries. BMD Projects Engineering (Pty) Ltd specialises in the design and manufacture of a wide range of dairy processing equipment, as well as food-grade process piping and plant maintenance.
The company’s commitment is rooted in years of experience and a genuine passion for engineering. Brendan and his team take pride in delivering reliable, efficient solutions and equipment with confidence, attention to detail, and strong craftsmanship.
It is a privilege for Brendan and the BMD Projects Engineering (Pty) Ltd team to be part of the South African Society of Dairy Technology (SASDT) Processing Day Symposium, to showcase their company, share expertise, and contribute to the advancement of the dairy processing industry.
David Higgins
Processing specialist, dairy and beverages: Crown Foods Group
The integration of ingredients and processing techniques
It is an honour to introduce a man whose career is as robust and well-structured as the facilities he helps to build. With over four decades of dedication to the industry, David Higgins is a true veteran of dairy technology and operations.
David’s journey began with his national service in Northern Namibia and Angola through the School of Engineers, followed by a qualification in construction supervision from Cape Technikon. However, in 1983, he found his true calling in the dairy industry at Dairy Belle. He solidified this passion by completing his Dairy Technology studies at Glen Agricultural College in 1989.
Over the past 44 years, David has experienced every aspect of dairy processing – from processing operator and production manager to operations manager in various dairy plants. His expertise has also extended across borders, notably spending two years in Nigeria on the Shonga Milk Project, where he worked alongside Zimbabwean producers to manage entire farming and production facilities.
His eye for quality is undeniable. David has been a key part of teams that have won South African Dairy Championships for products such as yoghurt, flavoured milk, and cottage cheese. In 2015, his leadership as production manager contributed to the Product of the Year award for Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt.
He is currently at Crown Foods Group, where he applies his extensive experience to re-align and design factories, managing everything from process flow to the construction of new facilities.
When he is not optimising production lines, he is often found pursuing his lifelong passion for sport. A high-level cricket and football player, he brings the same competitive spirit and teamwork to the dairy world.
In his own words: “Dairy will be part of me until my last days.”
Please join me in welcoming a master of his craft, David Higgins.
Mike Stafford
Sales manager, national capital equipment: Guth South Africa.
A brief overview of processing equipment used in cheese production in South Africa and surrounding countries.
Mike Stafford holds a Higher National Certificate in Applied Biology, as well as a BCom degree from UNISA, specialising in Economics and Business Economics. He has further enhanced his expertise through various certifications in quality control, gas chromatography, and sales.
His extensive career spans both international and South African industries. He began at Unilever Research in the United Kingdom before moving into roles such as physical chemist at Van den Bergh and Jurgens (Unilever) in South Africa, followed by product development manager at Wall’s Ice Cream. He later served as technical manager at Carborundum Universal and technical services chemist at African Products, specialising in modified starches.
Mike also gained valuable commercial experience as a sales manager at Darleon, working with products and equipment from leading global brands such as Christian Hansen, Niro Atomizer, and Alpma Cheese Equipment. Since 1990, he has served as the national capital equipment sales manager at Guth South Africa, where he continues to play a key role in the industry.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mike is an accomplished sportsman and adventurer. He earned Springbok colours in fencing, completed the Dusi Canoe Marathon 25 times, and finished the Comrades Marathon on five occasions. His interests also include scuba diving, mountain biking, and motorcycling as a member of the Ulysses Club. He previously served as president of the Fencing Federation of South Africa for eight years.
Mike la Grange
Technical dairy specialist, cheese and cultures: Synercore
Improving the execution efficiency of your NPD / R&D / RID programme
During the mid-1980’s Mike la Grange studied agriculture with a focus on dairy farming. His career began at the former Simonsberg Cheese as a learner cheesemaker.
For the next 25 years, he remained in cheese manufacturing, serving in various roles of increasing responsibility. Mike then joined the South African R&D team at Lactalis, where he worked in different capacities for 12 years. In July 2022, he joined Britannia, one of India’s leading bakery companies. For the next three and a half years, he worked with the team to establish their own dairy processing facility and to set up the relevant R&D team.
This proved to be one of the highlights of his career. In March 2025, Mike joined Synercore, where he currently serves as a technical dairy specialist with a focus on cheese, covering natural, processed, and analogue varieties.
Together with the Synercore team, Mike now supports a wide range of both large and small dairy processors across South and Southern Africa.
Riaan van Zyl
Managing director: Filmatic Packaging Systems
Design and manufacturing of fillers (local)
Riaan started his packaging career at Foodcan in Paarl in 1991. He moved to Filmatic Packaging Systems in January 1994 as a project engineer, and in 1995 became an executive manager responsible for all projects and production.
Filmatic adopted the American 3A hygiene standard in 1998. Riaan was responsible for installations across the globe, including Andecs Molkerei in Germany, Freshways in the UK, Al Ain Dairy in Dubai, Clover, Dairibord, Brookside Dairy, Lactalis, and many others. Filmatic has installed more than 90 ESL and Ultraclean filling lines.
Riaan accepted the role of managing director in January 2015. Under his leadership, Filmatic has developed many new products for the local market as well as the African continent.
Hygiene and safety standards remain a priority. He has steered the company to become a leader in the design and manufacture of packaging systems on the African continent.
Dr Peter Mukwevho
Lecturer: Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The importance of processing technology in Food Science
Dr Peter Mukwevho is a Food Science lecturer in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria. He holds a BSc degree from Voorhees University, a master’s degree from Clemson University, and a PhD from the University of Pretoria. He teaches modules in product development, food safety, quality management systems, meat science, and dairy technology. His research focusses on meat science and proteins from novel sources.
Before joining the University of Pretoria, he served as a senior food technologist at the Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station, where he assisted small and medium enterprises with product development and food safety.
Dr Mukwevho served as a board member of the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) from 2023 to 2025 and, during the same period, as chairperson of their student and young professional chapter (MySAAFoST).
He also served on the local organising committee for the SAAFoST congress 2025. In addition, he actively engages with the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group to stay current with developments in hygienic engineering and food safety standards, which he integrates into the training of undergraduate and honours food science students. He currently supervises two master’s students and has authored three peer-reviewed journal articles.
He has presented his research at local and international conferences, including several SAAFoST congresses. He also showcased innovative food products at the Bio Africa Convention 2019 and served as a panellist at the Department of Trade and Industry’s Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) Symposium. Internationally, he has presented at conferences including the International Union of Food Science and Technology world congress 2025 and the international congress of Meat Science and Technology (2024 and 2025).
Johan Meiring
Founder and packaging supply chain specialist: MEIDEAN Pty Ltd
Transforming plastics for a sustainable future
With a career spanning more than three decades across polymers, packaging, procurement, and business development, Johan Meiring brings extensive commercial, strategic, and operational experience to the South African manufacturing and packaging industries.
Johan matriculated from Hoër Seunskool Hugenote in Springs before completing an MCom in Marketing at Rand Afrikaans University, followed by an MBA from Stellenbosch Business School.
He spent 19 years at Sasol in various leadership and commercial roles, culminating in his position as national sales manager. He subsequently served as general manager: business development at Global Telematix South Africa, specialising in fleet management systems and strategic growth initiatives.
Johan then spent 13 years at Brandline, a leading plastic packaging converter, where he played a key role in market development, customer strategy, business collaboration, and packaging innovation across the Newmantle Group of Companies.
In May 2025, Johan founded MEIDEAN Pty Ltd, a business focussed on creating value across procurement, sustainability, packaging, and commercial growth initiatives.
MEIDEAN operates across three core areas:
- MEIDEAN Advisory – Procurement governance, packaging procurement consulting, supplier and project collaboration, and strategic procurement development.
- MEIDEAN Business development – Leading the market development and strategic introduction of P-Life biodegradable additive technology across South Africa and Africa.
- MEIDEAN Trading – Supplying plastic tapes, labels, plastic containers, and recycled polyethylene terephthalate-related solutions.
Beyond business, Johan is a dedicated family man, married for 32 years, with two children aged 22 and 26. He is also the proud owner of two dachshunds and enjoys mountain biking whenever time allows. Johan is passionate about building meaningful partnerships, driving sustainable commercial growth, and helping organisations unlock long-term value through strategic collaboration and innovation.
Natalie Harmse
Marketing manager SSA: SIG Combibloc South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Solutions from processing to retail, wholesale, and food service
Natalie Harmse is a passionate marketing and brand leader with 17 years’ experience across the packaging, dairy, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors. Her background spans marketing, sales, brand development, innovation, and strategic partnerships, with a strong focus on identifying growth opportunities and building brands that connect with evolving consumer trends.
Currently working within the dairy industry, Natalie is particularly passionate about the future of dairy within foodservice and experience-led consumption.
Drawing on her experience across packaging solutions, customer engagement, and FMCG innovation, she brings a fresh perspective on how the dairy sector can remain relevant, commercially sustainable, and connected to changing consumer behaviours.
As a speaker at the South African Society for Dairy Technology Processors Day, Natalie will share insights into the opportunities shaping the future of dairy.