India, Dec. 2 -- Buhler has named Batrice Conde-Petit, food scientist and engineer, and Markus Hofer, process engineer, as Buhler Fellows. The distinguished leaders are the first recipients of the companys new Fellowship program, which recognizes individuals whose expertise, influence, and outstanding contributions have extended beyond their corporate roles and influenced the industries Buhler serves.
Batrice Conde-Petit and Markus Hofer have each made extraordinary contributions to Buhler, said Stefan Scheiber, CEO, Buhler Group. Their work has driven technological advancements, shaped strategies for our key businesses, and advanced our sustainability goals. As Buhler Fellows, they will continue to provide the thought leadership, talent mentoring, and guidance that have distinguished their careers.
Together, the two Fellows will serve as mentors, advisors, and ambassadors of technical excellence across the organization, continuing to advance Buhlers innovation agenda. Their work also strengthens Buhlers broader ecosystem of collaboration, linking industry partners, academia, start-ups, NGOs, and customers with Buhlers process and technology expertise to develop sustainable solutions for a growing global population.
The Buhler Fellowship recognizes individuals who embody technical excellence and the collaborative spirit that drives Buhler forward, said Ian Roberts, CTO, Buhler Group. Our Fellows exemplify the dedication and mentorship that define our culture of innovation. Through their continued guidance, we will accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future, helping our customers grow their businesses while lowering their environmental footprint.
Batrice Conde-Petit, food scientist, engineer, and sustainability specialist, has worked at Buhler for more than 15 years. She has led initiatives that have advanced food and feed processing, and improved machinery efficiency and food safety. Having developed and driven food safety programs, Conde-Petit helped shape the companys sustainability strategy, building a framework that connects innovation with measurable customer impact. She led the integration of sustainability across Buhler, guiding strategic projects that combine science, technology, and business to deliver value to customers and partners. Committed to developing talent, she mentors emerging scientists and engineers, supports women in STEM, and collaborates with academic and start-up partners to foster innovation and ethical leadership across the value chain. Conde-Petit received the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Leading Women Award in 2025 for her contributions to advancing corporate sustainability and driving transformation.
It is an honor to be named Buhler Fellow. I am grateful for this recognition and excited to bring my experience to drive innovation. I want to help build a future proof food system that makes a positive difference for society and our industry. I am passionate about working closely with customers and partners, and about building and guiding talents to make it happen, said Batrice Conde-Petit.
Markus Hofer, process engineer, has been with Buhler for more than 30 years and is recognized for his technical depth and strategic leadership across multiple business areas. His experience spans R&D, product and general management both on the food and advanced materials side, where he has contributed to key technology and business developments that strengthened Buhlers position in food processing, coating, and materials solutions. Hofer has helped shape technology roadmaps, business portfolios, and strategic projects that deliver long-term value to Buhler and its customers. For example, he was instrumental in the acquisition, integration, and development of Leybold Optics to become a pillar of Buhlers business. He is equally known for developing young talent, mentoring engineers and innovation teams, and inspiring Buhlers next generation of innovators through initiatives such as the Solar Energy Racers, an after-hours program for apprentices and young engineers designing and building solar-powered cars for international competitions. Hofer serves on the advisory board of Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, and on the board of RhySearch, contributing expertise in optics, precision manufacturing, and digital technologies. He is also a long-standing juror and mentor in the ETH Zurich-McKinsey venture start-up competition.
I appreciate this recognition. Throughout my career at Buhler, I have been fortunate to work with talented teams and leading customers that continually push the boundaries of technology. As a Buhler Fellow, I hope to keep contributing by sharing knowledge, encouraging curiosity, and helping our people and partners succeed, said Markus Hofer.
The Buhler Fellowship program is the pinnacle of the Buhler expert pathway established to recognize individuals who make exceptional contributions to technical and strategic leadership, strengthening Buhlers innovation capabilities, and advance collaboration across the company and its global network. Fellows are nominated through an internal process and selected by the Executive Board for their proven expertise, business impact, and commitment to developing future talent.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.