Our Story
From little things big things grow...
Established in 1987, Flavourtech is a global technology manufacturer, headquartered in Australia, specialising in aroma recovery, extraction and evaporation solutions for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Our original quest to develop a processing solution to remove sulphur from grape juice in the wine making process, has revolutionised the taste, smell and quality of the products consumers around the world eat, drink and use to improve their health on a daily basis.
The versatility of our flagship product, the Spinning Cone Column (SCC) was quickly realised with its use spreading to the recovery of aroma and removal of alcohol to produce low and zero alcohol wines. This success was soon replicated in the coffee industry where the unique capabilities of the SCC were again demonstrated. The rest, as they say, is history!
More than 90 SCC units are now used in the global coffee industry, with further applications and success also being achieved in other industries, including fruit and vegetables, dairy and pharmaceutical. Today we export to more than 60 countries around the world, serviced by our global network of offices, distributors and agents.
Our technology is like nothing else on the market. The SCC captures aromas and flavours at a lower temperature and with shorter residence times than standard extraction technologies. This gentle process produces a much higher quality product than others on the market and ensures that the natural aroma and active ingredients of the raw material are retained. Flexible in application, the technology can be used to capture desired – or remove undesired – flavours and aromas.
In 2001, we expanded our offering with the addition of the Centritherm® evaporator technology, purchased from Tetra Pak. This thin-film evaporation technology also uses short time/low temperature processing thus complementing the gentle processing philosophies of the SCC. With a product contact time of only one second on the heated surface, the Centritherm evaporator is particularly suited to concentrating high value, viscous and heat sensitive products. The technology has been successfully implemented in conjunction with the SCC for the production of ‘Ready to Drink’ tea and coffee in both North America, Europe and Asia.
Our unique technologies have been proven to deliver significant returns on investment through the recovery of superior flavours, extracts and concentrates, along with maintaining the natural characteristics of the raw material. Coupled with increased throughput and automation through the integration of our technologies into a continuous processing system, we deliver enhanced operational and processing efficiencies, and a distinct competitive advantage. This benefits our customers by enabling them to differentiate their products and allowing their business to grow.
Flavourtech’s first mobile SCC pilot plant circa 1980s (left) and their new Australian pilot plant which opened in 2016 (right).
Our Team
With an unwavering focus on innovation, quality and client service we employ the most highly skilled engineers, technicians and support staff backed by our global network of agents and distributors. They are led by our skilled and talented management team.
Leon Skaliotis
General Manager
With a natural desire to assist food and beverage processing, Leon saw the potential of Flavourtech’s technologies to help companies around the world in producing higher quality products.
With a Masters of Business Administration and many years of sales experience behind him, Leon has the technical knowledge and business acumen to understand what will drive growth and value for clients across food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Leon manages Flavourtech’s global sales team, agents and distributors, along with coordinating the company’s international exhibition and conference program, media and marketing programs. “Every day brings a new stand out achievement. Whether it’s seeing customers who rely only on Flavourtech technologies continue to grow and prosper, or having a piece of our equipment become a standard part of the process at a large multinational, every achievement confirms our technologies really are driving revenue growth and improving product quality for our clients.”
Michael Craig
Innovations Director
Michael oversees the development of design specifications for new plants as well as factory testing, onsite commissioning and PLC programming of these units.
His experience in developing P&ID’s, layouts and service requirements as well as providing automation solutions makes him an invaluable member of the Flavourtech team.
From an R&D perspective, Michael also oversees the design and development of new technologies and technical improvements to Flavourtech’s current product range. This sees him involved with customers from a broad range of sectors as well as industry and government representatives.
Brian Davoren
Technical Director
Brian leads Flavourtech’s engineering team that is responsible for designing tailored technologies for clients, along with factory testing and onsite commissioning. He also provides
technical, process and engineering support to clients and collaborates on R&D projects with leading international researchers.
A qualified electrical engineer, Brian has more than 27 years’ industry experience and an absolute passion for his profession.
“Flavourtech offers a real challenge for an engineer with the opportunity to work across multiple disciplines in multiple locations. A key career highlight for me was a project I was involved in which included the end-to-end development of a complete plant for the production of coffee aroma and concentrate commissioned by a client in Japan.”
Paul Ahn
Global Sales Manager
With over 20 years of sales experience, Paul brings with him a commitment of maintaining the high standards of customer service that Flavourtech is known for. Joining Flavourtech in 2018,
he runs a global team of experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated sales professionals.
“I am privileged to be part of this team, all working tirelessly to make the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our unique technologies, processes and solutions allows our customer’s businesses to grow. This is what drives and motivates us.”
Andrew Menegazzo
Australian Operations Manager
Andrew joined Flavourtech in 2000 and leads the company’s Australian manufacturing operations. A smart operator, Andrew is responsible for overseeing design, production and
project management for Flavourtech’s processing technologies.
Andrew is a qualified electrical mechanic, completing his apprenticeship with the company in 2004. “Flavourtech is a great place to work. It’s collaborative, there is no shortage of challenging projects and the company really invests in its staff. Starting out as an apprentice, I have moved through the ranks to my current position, which sees me overseeing our Australian manufacturing operations.”
Sriram Karuturi
Indian Operations Manager
Sriram is a Food Technologist by profession, undertaking his International Masters in Food Technology and Nutrition from Lund University in Sweden.
He has 14 years of experience working within the food industry, particularly with instant coffee companies.
Now heading up Flavourtech’s European operations at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, Sriram is playing a pivotal role in establishing our European office and pilot plant facilities as well as growing the European team.
Sriram’s extensive experience working with instant coffee also sees him busy assisting Flavourtech’s coffee customers with sensory analysis and product development all around the world.
Rebecca Rosato
People & Culture Manager
Rebecca is a Griffith local, born and bred with over 20 years of human resources / work health and safety experience in medium to large businesses. Joining Flavourtech in
2020, she oversees employee safety and wellbeing as well as managing workplace culture across our business entities.
“I am grateful to be part of a dynamic team that prioritises commitment to its employees and their safety. Flavourtech is a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.”
Sandro Beltrame
After Sales Service Manager
Sandro joined Flavourtech in 2004 and is responsible for managing the company’s After Sales Service and Parts division. Prior to joining Flavourtech, Sandro was a service
manager at one of the Riverina’s largest automotive dealerships.
Sandro has been instrumental in growing the Flavourtech service team and supporting an ever increasing global client base.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the great people I get to meet every day. Our technologies are shipped to more than 60 countries around the world. This is something I am very proud to be part of.”
Ralph Galluzzo
Production Manager
Ralph has more than 25 years’ industry experience in drafting and fabrication. He joined Flavourtech in 1999 and is responsible for overseeing the drafting and
fabrication of the company’s technologies.
Ralph has been instrumental in Flavourtech’s adoption of new technologies to assist in the development of equipment, including the introduction of Inventor 3D CAD – an engineering software design program that helps clients visualise the equipment during the design phase.
“Flavourtech is a challenging and satisfying place to work. We develop technology solutions for such a diverse client base around the world – from the food and beverage industry right through to pharmaceuticals.”
Daniel De Rossi
Field Service Manager
Daniel is a qualified mechanical engineer and joined Flavourtech’s Field Service in 2010, bringing more than 17 years’ industry experience to the team. Daniel
oversees the mechanical assembly of Flavourtech’s technologies as well as coordinating and conducting global customer visits for the maintenance and installation of all equipment.
“Flavourtech offers a unique employment opportunity for a business located in regional Australia. The company is revolutionising food and beverage processing on a global scale – all from the Riverina! I feel privileged to work with such smart and talented individuals who never rest on their laurels.”
Some of our clients include…
Our Network
Flavourtech has an extensive industry network collaborating with leading industry experts and research partners. This includes strategic partnerships with the CSIRO, Deakin University and the University of New South Wales in Australia, and Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Committed to new technologies, quality and client service we employ the most highly skilled engineers, technicians and support staff backed by our global network of agents and distributors. This allows us to provide our clients with outstanding service and support.
Accreditations
At Flavourtech, we ensure all our systems and processes meet Australian standards and requirements.
Flavourtech is accredited under the Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme. In recognition of the plant health risk associated with wood packaging, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has adopted a wood packaging standard: International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures – Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging in International Trade (ISPM 15). This standard aims to significantly lessen the risk of unprocessed raw wood being used as a pathway for the introduction and the spread of most quarantine pests and diseases through international trade. This accreditation allows us to export wood packaging such as pallets, dunnage, crating, packing blocks, drums, cases, spools bulk heads, load boards, pallet collars, and skids used in the transport of commodities during export, which are often made from unprocessed raw wood.
Our accreditation is maintained and audited biannually by third party auditor BSI.
