CSD Grains appoints new general manager

Australian owned company CSD Grains has appointed Brendan Ellis as the new general manager at its planting seed, food processing and seed grading operation at Toowoomba.

CSD managing director Peter Graham said Mr Ellis has extensive international experience in export and import businesses as well as the hands-on management of large manufacturing operations which made him ideally suited to the role.

“Brendan has strong skills in international trade and commodity trading which is very important as we continue to enhance and expand our network of international clients,” he said.

Mr Ellis said he was looking forward to the diversity in work that lay in front of him at CSD Grains.

“One moment I’ll be talking to a grower at Norwin about how his soybean crop is going – and the next phone call will be to a customer in Japan who will be using those beans – integrated businesses like this are very exciting,” he said.

“This season CSD Grains has high quality, high vigour soybean planting seed for sale – it’s tested as it goes into the bag so you know exactly what you’re getting – that’s something which many other suppliers don’t offer.”

“We’re also looking to work with some growers in contracting beans – particularly the variety Bunya which will be used in our processing facility and for our whole bean clients,” he said.

“With the water situation in the inland areas the best it’s been for many years, we’re looking forward to a good season,” he said.

For the past two years Mr Ellis has worked as the principal consultant for Toowoomba-based independent business consultancy firm ESBS following an eleven-year stint in Papua New Guinea where he helped establish a large coffee, cotton, cocoa and grains export business.

“Our family decided to return to Australia in 2008, mainly for the benefit of our three school-age children,” he said.

Mr Ellis has launched himself into the Toowoomba community, holding the president’s position of Toowoomba Backscratchers – a business networking group, coaching the USQ Rugby team and secretary of the Toowoomba Grammar Rugby Supporters Group.

30 August 2010

Further Information

Brendan Ellis, general manager, CSD Grains 0746 985600
Peter Graham, managing director, CSD Ltd 0267 950000