Now We Are Truly Yara!
A significant step in the formalisation of the alignment and integration of Yara Phosyn Ltd (YPL) into the Yara International structure and culture took place on Wednesday 8th November with a visit to Pocklington of Dr. Thorleif Enger, Yara²s
President and CEO, and Alvin Rosvoll, who recently succeeded Terje Knutsen as Director of Downstream Marketing.
The visit commenced with an informal buffet lunch at which YPL Business and Technical Managers were introduced and were able to discuss their roles.
Following this, our Visitors were shown through the newly entitled Yara Analytical Services laboratory and the Controlled Environment Greenhouses.
As always, the facilities with their “bio-fuels”, turf-grass and Artemesia (anti-malaria compound) crops growing in full flourish proved particularly inspirational to Thorleif Enger in appreciating the essential role of greenhouse trials-work in understanding the key nutritional requirements of crops.
Afterwards, a visit to the Product Development laboratory provided an insight into the critical importance of creative and innovative chemistry as part of the whole R&D process applied to the development of all YPL products, an area in which Yara are keen to build on in the future.
Before visiting the Factory Production Facilities, our Visitors were given a computer demonstration of the Megalab program which converts data from laboratory soil and tissue analysis into recommendations for sales of YPL and Yara products automatically over the internet, 24/7.
In the final phase of the visit, both Thorleif Enger and Alvin Rosvoll spoke to a large gathering of people from all parts of YPL²s organisation.
Dr Enger reviewed the current global structure, leadership and advantages of Yara and welcomed YPL into the organisation with the call that we learn from each other and apply skills and competences to synergise the whole under the common declared values of Ambition, Trust, Accountability and Teamwork.
He also emphasised the need to apply our shared knowledge, skills and competences in future to enable increased production of food crops with enhanced nutritional, dietary and “health-giving” values, using YPL and Yara²s portfolio of fertiliser products and services. Alvin Rosvoll told the audience that, as he had begun his career with Norsk Hydro in a very similar speciality business environment, he was comfortable with what he had seen and was confident that he had much to offer in the future development of YPL.
He also declared that it was necessary to constantly challenge each other in order to grow our business through adding value in products and services to customers whilst maximising on costs.
At this stage of our integration, these concluding comments created a strong feeling of belonging, as well as providing useful assurances, insights and directions for the future of YPL.
On behalf of everyone in YPL, I would like to express a feeling of gratitude, pride and privilege to have received them both in Pocklington at such an opportune time.
Author: Dr Kevin Moran, Yara Phosyn Ltd
Published: November 2006