Ron van Buuren
(MAICD, WSET 2, Trade Qualification)
Managing Director, Hydra Consulting
Ron van Buuren is a co-founder and Managing Director of Hydra Consulting, which has built a reputation for exceptional project delivery in manufacturing and government. Hydra Consulting also develops effective strategy, supports ‘disruptive’ transformation, and provides innovative industry training. Hydra’s clients include industry organisations, private companies and government in the agriculture, food, wine, and manufacturing sectors.
Ron’s work ranges from program and project delivery, major infrastructure implementations, project performance, risk management, mentoring leaders, shadow CE/COO roles, export support, business development, strategy, performance improvement, digital disruption, and customer engagement.
Ron has been at the forefront of the SA Government Cluster Program, delivering the Collaborative Contracting Handbook and running the initiation and economic impact workshops, and industry collaboration development processes. This program resulted in Industry Clusters, of sector competitors, in the defence, water, music, medical, red meat and agricultural sector clusters in the state. He was Cluster Facilitator for the specialist Ground Water/Aquifer Management and Smart Wastewater Processing clusters.
His work is dominated by specialty metals, general manufacturing, packaging, beverage, and food sectors, energy, mining, and processing. He is working within the Circular Economy space in clothing, building, metals, beverage, food, water, and energy. Ron has worked extensively in process engineering/re-engineering, automation, system controls, co-generation, and grid integration.
Ron currently chairs FOMENT with previous chair positions at Australian Science & Maths School, Somerton Park Sea Scouts and Somerton Park Kindergarten. He is also current committee member & treasurer of the Wine Industry Suppliers Association (WISA).
Examples of Ron’s major project work includes:
Review of the PIRSA Cluster program
Delivered the Northern Adelaide Plains Value Chain analysis
Review of cluster investment options for South Australian primary production
Delivered the Yarra Valley Water Aurora food precinct concept plan and land use options
Review of the South Australian AgTech startup initiative
Development and building approvals, plant layouts, construction planning, risk, and safety analysis for Amaero (exotic metals powders) in Melbourne, UAE, and the USA.
Manufacturing efficiency review for Tasman Sinks (stamped metal sinks).
Supporting the ongoing development (risk, performance, technology adoption, and automation of Fletcher Foundry in the production of rolling stock components.
Implementation of the high-security (zero contamination) gluten free production facilities for Arnott’s BBQ Shapes and Jatz savoury biscuits in Adelaide.
Deconstruction of the West End Brewery in Adelaide and transfer of the assets to Canada in a documented ‘ready to rebuild’ state for a Canadian buyer.
He reviewed the integration systems of the Adelaide Black Start Power Generation plants at Osborne and Pelican Point in the northern ports district.
Co-generation systems for the collaboration between Penrice Soda Products and ETSA utilising steam from the production of Soda Ash to generate power ready for grid integration.
Mentoring hard technology manufacturing start-ups in CCS, fungal-based dye, building product, vegan leather, oil remediation, pharmaceutical, vision systems, robotics, and waste recovery for CSIRO’s RISE circular economy, South Australia’s AgTech, SA’s Manufacturing, and FOMENT WineTech Accelerators.