PORTLAND, OR – With the world population reaching 8.2 billion, continuous global weather disruptions, and fluctuating tariffs, the demand for a predictable and affordable food supply is more critical now than ever before. The American high quality grain farmers have been fulfilling much of the global demand and to ensure increased efficiency for their producers, Columbia Grain International™ (CGI), announces the appointment of Siddharth(Sid) Sharma as Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO). In this role, Sharma will be responsible for the company’s technology strategy, digital innovation, and IT operations, bringing over two decades of extensive technology experience.
This role will encompass all traditional CIO and CISO responsibilities while focusing on the development of new digital strategies to support business. As CDIO, Sharma will lead organization-wide digital transformation initiatives, drive digital innovation, implement advanced data analytics and AI capabilities, while fostering digital culture and organizational change.
“Our Customer Service Mindset at Columbia Grain is our leading initiative,” stated CEO and President Kurt Haarmann. “Instituting innovative technologies, processes and AI integration throughout the supply chain will fulfill the goal to address the needs of each customer, externally as well as internally. We are excited to welcome Sharma to the Columbia Grain team. His deep expertise in technology leadership and innovation within industrial sectors will be invaluable as we continue our digital transformation journey. Sharma’s vision will be key to enhancing our operational efficiency and delivering exceptional value to our customers.”
Sharma’s background includes a strong focus on ERP transformations, and a track record of driving business leadership in prominent technology companies across Europe and the US. He brings specialized experience in implementing technology strategy for asset-intensive industrial businesses. Notably, he seeded the innovation practice for the Manufacturing and Energy sectors at NTT Data and globally incubated and led the Industrial IoT (IIoT) business for Hitachi Vantara, demonstrating his ability to drive new business growth through technology. At Columbia Grain, Sharma would be focused on enabling the front, middle and back offices of grains, pulses and agronomy with Artificial Intelligence.
‘I am honored to join Columbia Grain International and its dedicated team,’ shared Sharma. “The company has a rich history, a strong foundation, and a great mission. I look forward to leveraging my experience to further our digital and innovation capabilities. These are interesting times, and this particular value chain is fundamental to how the world looks at its Food and sustainability future. It is truly a great opportunity to serve our farm to end-use supply chain”
“Our mission at Columbia Grain is to safely cultivate high quality ingredients from our local farmers that feed the world,” stated Mr. Haarmann. “It’s our purpose to cultivate growth for all members of our community – from our farmers to our partners throughout our supply chain. Our enhanced AI and digital programs will accomplish this.”
About Columbia Grain International (www.columbiagrain.com)
Since 1978, Columbia Grain International™ (CGI) has been Cultivating Growth™ as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets. Headquartered in Portland, OR, CGI’s reliable supply chain spans the western region of the U.S., ensuring abundant ingredients for all of its partners, thanks to their trusted relationships with their farmers throughout the fertile croplands of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota, well known for its high-quality wheat, feed grains, canola and pulses.
CGI is an owner of Montana Specialty Mills, who operates an organic and non-GMO oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, Montana, a mustard seed facility in Conrad, Montana, and most recently Montana Craft Malt —providing specialty malt barley from Montana farmers to the craft brewing world. Today, they are vertically integrated, operating assets including grain elevators, processing plants and agronomy centers to support their farmers, which stretch the northern tier of the United States.
