SASKATOON- Each year, the BASF Pulse Promoter Award is presented to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the development of the pulse industry. This year's award recipient is Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of Alliance Grain Traders - the world's largest lentil processing company.
Bill Greuel, BASF Clearfield Business Manager, and Lee Moats, Chair, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' Board of Directors, presented Al-Katib with the award at Pulse Days 2012.
"I can't think of a more deserving individual," says Greuel. "In a very short period of time, Al-Katib has built Alliance Grain Traders into a world leader in value-added pulses, staple foods and specialty crops."
"Murad is a true visionary in our industry," says Moats. "With his vision and guidance, Canadian pulses are being shipped to food and ingredient markets around the globe."
Alliance Grain Traders was founded in 2007 with the acquisition of Saskcan Pulse Trading by the Agtech Income Fund, the predecessor to Alliance Grain Traders. Today, Alliance Grain Traders buys lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas from farmers in the best pulse growing regions and ships them to over 100 countries around the globe.
Al-Katib came from being the first employee at Saskcan Pulse Trading in 2001 to one of Canada's Top 40 under 40. He has also served on the Boards of Directors of the Canadian Special Crops Association and Pulse Canada, the national associations for the pulses and specialty crop industries.
The annual Pulse Promoter Award is sponsored by BASF Canada, and is presented at Pulse Days in Saskatoon each January. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers chose Al-Katib from among all considered nominations. For more information about the BASF Pulse Promoter Award, visit: www.saskpulse.com
Source: CNW Group