Unsere neue Zuchtstation im brasilianischen Uberlândia (betriebsbereit ab November 2023) war der Veranstaltungsort der ersten Amerikakonferenz.
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Strengthening bonds and
boosting growth
A conference bringing together station managers and Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) from North and South America was organized in Uberlândia, Brazil. The goal: to foster stronger collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the Americas.
As KWS transitions further into a global entity, becoming more cross-crop and expanding its reach across different regions, it was important to bring people together to strengthen connections and promote personal and professional development, explains Anne Vogel, Lead of BP’s HR Team Americas and co-organizer of the conference. This gathering marked a historic occasion as it was the first time our American colleagues had met under the same roof. “The North and South American teams have quite different histories at KWS, so we decided to bring them together to talk about their experiences and share their knowledge,” says Heiko Kraus, Head of Global Breeding & Research Services Sugarbeet & Cereals and co-sponsor of the conference.
The conference served as a platform to understand the challenges and opportunities we face in different geographies and crops. Station managers provided a comprehensive overview of how stations operate across the Americas, which facilitated knowledge-sharing and encouraged future collaboration. Breeding and Research Services (BRS) at the conference benefited from a different approach to communicating with breeders. Gabriela Gutierrez, Station Manager in Peru, expressed her excitement about the conference as an opportunity to address shared challenges: “Our realities, as different as they may be, often coincide in the same challenges we face.”
One-day workshop on professional development in Tõe do Jó, Patos de Minas. Leslie Nienkark, Business Partner HR USA, moderating a session on management styles.
Reflect leadership approach
Together with the HRBPs, the participants delved into aspects of team building, leadership and professional development. “The HRBPs are like a co-pilot in the business. They support you in making decisions and also question them regularly,” says Heiko Kraus. For Luke Skansgaard, Senior Station Manager in Moorhead, the day-long workshop on professional development delivered new positive perspectives on his leadership strategies. “The detailed exchange with HR allowed me to reflect on my leadership approach. I was able to gather a lot of insightful ideas that I have taken back to my station to implement.”
It was a step forward in KWS’ journey to achieve the long-term vision outlined for the BRS for 2031. With stations working together towards standardized processes and enhanced communication, KWS is positioned to be more efficient and prepared for future challenges, which will ultimately help us achieve the objectives under the SP31. The insights gained from the conference paved the way to establish a plan to develop leadership skills across all regions, bringing everyone into alignment with the goals of the R&D strategy.
The location
With Brazil emerging as a key player in the future of KWS, it was an ideal destination for hosting the conference. “As Brazil was the last country to implement the BRS structure, it was especially important to involve them and integrate them with the rest of the team,” says Rodrigo Kleeberg, Head of BRS Region South America and co-organizer of the conference. “Brazil will be one of the most important regions for corn development in the next ten years, so it is definitely part of the strategic planning to bring all of them into the community,” explains Jean Claude Castelle, Head of Global Breeding & Research Services MAOC and co-sponsor of the conference.
A highlight of the event was the visit to our largest seed processing facility in Patos de Minas, which provided invaluable insights into BRS’ South America operations.
Field tour of Production Research in Patos de Minas. Marcos Bosqueiro, Production Research Manager, presenting KWS’ sorghum development activities.
Overcoming challenges
“It was a nice surprise for me to see how involved everyone was. Even if they sometimes had some difficulty in communicating, we saw their interest and eagerness to learn,” says Jean Claude Castelle. The vast distances between locations in Brazil posed logistical challenges, but they were skillfully managed, giving participants an even deeper insight into the country.
The way forward
The conference’s success laid the basis for future initiatives and collaboration supporting the objectives of the SP31. It also provided an opportunity for professional development, mentoring relationships, and strategic planning for the future. As KWS continues to embark on its journey towards the SP31, conferences like these will play an integral role in forging a unified global entity, leveraging diverse strengths, and driving innovation across all corners of KWS. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
