Blumberg in the News

David Blumberg was interview by Africa Agribusiness, detailing the customer history, advancements and current position in the agricultural health and progress in Africa. As another Blumberg Grain Warehouse system is built, Mr. Blumberg spoke with Dave Ramaswamy; an excerpt of the interview follows:

AAM: Do your systems run on a variety of power inputs? Grid power is not always available or reliable, with voltage fluctuations, in these markets.

Blumberg: Good point. When designing our systems, we told our R&D team that they should plan for poor infrastructure as well as harsh climates. The Applied Engineering division designed our units so that a 600-square-meter facility (with 1500 metric tons of storage) can pack up into just one 40-foot cargo container. Our engineers designed our units for fast installation – as little as three days. They designed them for flexible use. Our units are modular when it comes to adding capacity and are upgradable when it comes to adding our technology options.

Speaking to your point about energy – it was clear that the units would have to be able to handle different kinds of energy supply. So we offer solar power, wind power, etc. as a supplementary power source for these systems. Our Grain Vault can run completely on solar power.

AAM: Is it solar PV? How exactly does it work? How do you handle power failure and redundancy?

Blumberg: That's correct, Solar PV on top of the warehouse roof. You can get quite a bit of power out of those panels. What we've done is leverage technologies on the inside of our warehouse that are energy-efficient. The only issue is the cold storage component for which the power needs are quite high. Our cold storage could run on 100 percent solar power, but it then becomes inefficient from an economic perspective.

For our refrigerated storage, what we suggest to our clients is to locate these close to the existing grid. If that isn't possible, we need to have generators in place to run the system. Even if we're on the grid, we have the option to hook into different independent power solutions.

Our video on the technology describes this flexibility and some other features of our systems: http://www.blumberggrain.com/video/

AAM: What is the secret of your success in these demanding markets?

Blumberg: That is because of two things: first, the success that we have realized in the market vis-à-vis the application of our product; and second, for some reason, there haven't been companies that emerged to play a role in this storage space in these emerging markets.

When you look at these developing countries, our competition is, for the most part, local concrete contractors. These contractors put up a concrete warehouse that has only a tangential application to food security. The warehouse offers no specialized ancillary options or specialized components. They don't provide the safety and security needed to keep the crop preserved in-condition. So you continue to see high post-harvest loss rates.

We designed our warehouses with coatings and primers that reflect about 65 percent of the sun's heat. We have seals that create foam closures between each panel. This means you don't have leakage and you don't have water coming into the facility. We've designed our warehouse to be basic nuts-and-bolts assembly, so any skilled labor can put it up fast. So there are no problematic issues with construction, and we can be sure the facility works as intended.

In agriculture, the harvest season dictates the timeline for construction projects. If you miss the harvest season deadline, you lose that year's benefit. It is critical to be fast and timely. We hold the record in the industry for the ability to get 600 square meters of covered storage up, in three days.

To read the full interview, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg in the News

A new article from Clement Ejiofor published by NAIJ titled "Why GEJ Is Sure That Nigeria Is ready For Oil Crisis" relays comments made by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on the economy, agricultural transformation agenda, and Blumberg Grain's investment in the country's continued growth. An excerpt follows:

A lot of investment projects are realising within the modernization.

For example, in 2012 Blumberg Grain, the Global food giant invested $250 million in a large-scale food storage facilities for Nigeria’s agricultural sector creating up to 1,000 jobs.

See what David Blumberg, CEO, Blumberg Grain – West Africa thinks of Nigerian agriculture :

To read the full article, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg in the News

Blumberg Grain was featured in Yahoo! Finance this week under Food Safety and Security Leader Blumberg Grain Joins The Corporate Council on Africa. An excerpt follows:

Blumberg Grain, a global leader in food safety and security, has joined The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the leading trade organization developing and strengthening business relationships between the United States and Africa.

Said David Blumberg, CEO of Blumberg Grain – West Africa, “CCA is a very effective organization, with breadth and depth of experience in Africa. We appreciate how effective participating in CCA conferences and events has been for our company and staff, and look forward to a continued close working relationship.”

To read the full article, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg in the News

Blumberg Grain was featured in a WorldStage News article this month titled Blumberg Grain to invest $250m in grain storage in Nigeria. An excerpt follows:

Blumberg Grain, a global investment firm has indicated plans to invest $250 million in grain storage in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who disclosed this in Washington DC at the on-going International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group meetings, said the firm is working with the Minister of Agriculture and had sent a team to the country.

She said, “They want to make Nigeria the hub for grain storage and cold storage in Africa for agriculture logistics, and they want to invest $250 million. They have their team, but the fact that we have the largest economy in Africa, is making them feel that this may be the place to make the hub.”

She said the World Bank and the IMF had agreed to create a Social Protection Programme to address the issue of growth and job creation for Nigeria and some other developing countries at the bottom end of the development ladder.

To read the full article, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg in the News

Blumberg Grain was featured in a Ventures Africa article this month titled "Blumberg Grain Expands African Business Into DRC", announcing that Blumberg Grain has been contracted by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to provide grain warehousing services to its farmers after signing a similar contract with the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture to expand the country's food security and storage. An excerpt from the article follows:

"This initial DRC order represents another important deployment of Blumberg Grain's food security storage and systems," Blumberg Grain West Africa CEO, David Blumberg said.

He noted that throughout Africa, governments emphasize the need to lower post-harvest losses in order to increase farmer incomes and boost agricultural output.

"That's a key focus of Blumberg Grain's food security systems," he said.

Philip Blumberg, CEO of Blumberg Capital Partners, said his company also looks forward to investing in processing plants, cleaning, drying and packaging facilities in the DRC."

Blumberg Grain works with private companies and countries to modernize agricultural value chains, increase the quality and marketable output of their harvests, enable efficient market timing, and significantly boost exports of agriculture products.

To read the full story, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg Grain in the News

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced this week that it has awarded Blumberg Grain its project to expand food security and storage in Nigeria. The project calls for the turn-key installation of Blumberg Grain warehousing systems and technology, specifically the Arctic Vault and Grain Vault product lines for perishable and dry storage, respectively.

This award represents the first phase of the initial order called for in a Letter of Intent executed between Nigerian Minister of Agriculture Akin Adesina and Philip Blumberg, CEO of Blumberg Grain's parent company, Blumberg Capital Partners. The agreement also confirms Blumberg Grain's intent to build a manufacturing plant and export Hub for West Africa in Nigeria, which will serve as a production facility for Blumberg Grain's food storage warehousing systems and create over 1000 new jobs in Nigeria.

To read the full article, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg In The News

Philip Blumberg was recently interviewed by Amwal Al Ghad, a monthly issued magazine that covers all news about economy, Banks, investments, stock market, and all other related financial sectors in Egypt. An excerpt from the article follows:

Amwal Al Ghad En: What is the company's vision over the real estate sector in Egypt even the challenges it facing amid the political turmoil? In addition, what are the market's current demands?

Blumberg: First, my expectations in Egypt it will attract investments as soon as possible because investments in real estate travel very quickly. Secondly, the affordable houses are important and much needed in Egypt, which also the Egyptian government can assist. The housing sector should support the PPP system.

We think there are opportunities in the office-building sector that we can reposition them from the C to A class.

We look to the region of Egypt as it has more jobs; it is a promising market for exports and manufacture, more and above it is the great real estate residential sector for affordable houses.

The companies will not come if they will not see stabilization in Egypt. Therefore, we are looking now for US government support for Egypt

John Kerry, US Secretary of State, has allocated $250 million for Egypt; it will be released as soon as the IMF discussion is over, for the Egyptian government's projects. We believe they go to the infrastructure and job creation to help people.

There is another $ 750 million but the US government is waiting that how the Egyptian government could utilize the $250 million.

To read the full interview, click here. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg Grain in the News

Philip Blumberg and Blumberg Grain were recently featured in an Africa Agriculture Business article titled "Blumberg Grain: Bringing Opportunities to Africa’s Agriculture Market," in which the advantages of the Blumberg Grain storage system are explored, as well as the future of agriculture in Africa. An excerpt follows:

Recently Africa Agribusiness Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Philip Blumberg, Chairman and CEO of Blumberg Capital, to discuss how their agriculture initiative, Blumberg Grain, can provide innovative solutions to Africa.

Blumberg provides countries and companies with state of the art and comprehensive storage units for post harvest food safety and security. Mass produced in the United States, the lightweight, scalable warehouses use one-third the steel of conventional warehouses, making them the most cost effective storage facilities in todays market. However, the simple design does not hinder the structures expected lifespans, which is estimated at 25-50 years.

Furthermore, each self-contained facility can be customized for farmers needs. "Despite their simple design, these warehouses are quite sophisticated. Its what we can do inside that makes all the difference," said Philip Blumberg.

By design, Blumberg warehouses can be divided for multiple products, and each area can have its own sophisticated temperature, insulation and humidity controls. To operate the facilities, countries may choose from generator, solar or wind power. Whats more, Blumberg structures are designed to work in rural areas, close to the farmers and their crops, so that harvested crops are stored as quickly as possible. The units also serve as large distribution and collection facilities.

After the modules are shipped to the host country, assembly begins. One key advantage is that these warehouse buildings can be installed and working in as little as 3 days. Blumberg works directly to train the local workforce to assemble and run the facilities. "We are committed to hiring the majority of employees from the local job market," says Mr. Blumberg.

To read the full article, click here to visit the Blumberg Grain website. For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Blumberg Grain: Bringing Opportunities to Africa's Agriculture Market

Blumberg Grain, a division of Blumberg Capital Partners, was featured in an Africa Agribusiness Magazine article titled Blumberg Grain: Bringing Opportunities to Africa's Agriculture Market.  Blumberg Grain provides the most comprehensive state of the art storage units and management services for post harvest food safety and security.  An excerpt of the article follows:

Blumberg’s agricultural roots reach back to the 1800s, and to the 1900s, and today, they are proud to help entire nations to manage their food supply with greater safety and security.

Recently, Africa Agribusiness Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Philip Blumberg, Founding Chairman and CEO, to discuss how their agriculture initiative,Blumberg Grain, can provide innovative solutions to Africa.

Blumberg provides countries with state of the art and comprehensive storage units for post harvest food safety and security.Mass produced in the United States, the lightweight, scalable warehouses use one-third the steel of conventional warehouses, making them the most cost effective storage facilities in today’s market. However, the simple design does not hinder the structures’ expected lifespans, which is estimated at 25-50 years.

Furthermore, each self-contained facility can be customized for farmers’ needs. “Despite their simple design, these warehouses are quite sophisticated. It’s what we can do inside that makes all the difference”.

By design, Blumberg warehouses can be divided for multiple products, and each areacan have its own sophisticated temperature, insulation and humidity controls. To operate the facilities, countries may choose from generator, solar or wind power. What’s more, Blumberg structures are designed to work best in rural areas, close to the farmers and their crops, so that harvested crops are stored as quickly as possible.

To read the full article, click here.

Blumberg Grain, a division of Blumberg Capital Partners, to Open 5 Manufacturing Plants & Export Hubs as Part of its Asia, Middle East-North Africa (MENA), Middle East-South Asia (MESA), and Sub-Saharan Africa Expansion Plans.

Blumberg Capital Partners, a market leader in investment management and infrastructure development, is expanding Blumberg Grain, its food and grain safety and security systems division.
Blumberg companies are active in real estate and commodity investments, resource development, food and grain storage and security, and manufacturing.

Blumberg Grain provides public and private sector customers with food and grain storage and security systems and assists them manage their food supply through comprehensive network management services.

Blumberg Grain warehouses are prefabricated and pre-engineered to be the most effective and cost-efficient solution for food storage available on the market.

Blumberg Grain, has been engaged by countries located in East Asia, North Asia, the Middle East-South Asia (MESA), the Middle East-North Africa (MENA), and Sub-Saharan Africa to supply food and grain storage and safety systems as part of its plan to select 5 locations for its manufacturing and export hub expansion by the end of summer 2012 with an anticipated construction start date as early as the end of 2012. The 5 hubs will have an estimated employment of 6,000 people.

The initial focus of the manufacturing plants will be to produce prefabricated Blumberg Grain Storage Warehouses, each with 6,000 square feet (557 square meters) of storage.

Through increased trade activity and development, these manufacturing plants and export hubs have the capacity to manufacture 3,000 warehouse buildings annually or US $375M in output.

Currently, up to 50% of worldwide crop yields are lost annually due to lack of proper storage facilities. Accordingly, the demand for modern grain storage systems is a priority across the globe.

The Asian market, excluding China, has a demand of approximately US $80 billion for food storage warehousing systems and the MENA region a market demand of approximately US $22 billion.

Blumberg Grain offers a complete solution that begins with helping nations assess their food safety and security issues and progresses into the development of turnkey storage facilities with management support designed to bring post harvest crop losses to under 5%.

From basic dry storage unit for grains and dry goods to refrigerated and gas displacement systems for perishables including produce and meat, Blumberg Grain warehouses extend the useful life of perishables by up to 6 months. These warehouse units, designed specifically for developing world markets, are powered using an independent energy supply that insures primary or backup operation power.

By extending produce storage-life, users of Blumberg Grain systems can select and time the sale of its agricultural products into premium priced markets away from harvest peak supply periods.

Blumberg Grain's state of the art Network Management Services enables full turnkey systems and the most responsive solutions for food and grain safety and security including controlled access systems; interactive sensor monitors and controls for temperature, humidity, gas monitoring and other variables tied to mechanical and forced venting; controlled atmosphere through refrigeration and nitrogen displacement systems; an inventory management system which can track national food and grain supplies. Furthermore, the inventory management system can directly tie into national commodity markets allowing trading of food and grain supplies directly from the warehouse network. Blumberg Grain also provides strategic re-stockpiling of key food stuffs through hedged forward contracts assuring food supply and food inventory levels. Additionally, Blumberg Grain can also provide assistance in securing financing for the food storage systems.

For a video about Blumberg Grain's turnkey system please click here.

To download the storage unit and option brochure please click here.

For more information, please visit http://www.blumberggrain.com or contact Vicki Rosa atvrosa@blumbergcapitalpartners.com or 305-569-9500.

Blumberg Capital Partners in the News

Blumberg Capital Partners was featured in an Arabian Business article titled "Gulf capital turns to US real estate, lured by distressed sales". An excerpt:

Arab investors that have historically favoured UK real estate are now looking to America, lured by tax cuts and low property prices, said Philip Blumberg, chairman of US-based investment management company Blumberg Capital Partners.

Property acquired by Middle East and African investors increased 140 percent between 2008/09 and 2009/10 from $1.1bn to $2.64bn, data from the National Association of Realtors showed.

"US tax policies are about tax cuts not tax increases so the US is emerging as a safe standard compared to Western Europe," Blumberg told Arabian Business.

To read the full article, click here.