The Irish grain industry lost another great father figure in early July with the passing of Tom Phillips.

Tom had retired from the industry in 2000 and was very active in setting up the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS). He was one of the industry’s gentlemen and always a pleasure to meet.

He began his career as a trainee maltster with Minch Norton Ltd in Bagenalstown and then managed the Monasterevin branch.

He was actively involved in the development of an export market for malt, to Germany in particular.

He moved to work for Drummonds in 1974, which had just been taken over by Denis Coakley Ltd following our entry to the EEC.

He quickly moved to make Drummonds the first company to offer malting barley contracts to farmers outside of the main maltsters.

Tom continued to travel extensively throughout Europe to create export markets for Irish malting barley.

Drummonds was later purchased by Larry Goodman and Tom was managing director during that era.

He remained heavily involved in the industry overall and was president of the Irish Grain and Feed Association in 1994. He retired from Drummonds in 2000 following an illness.

Following his retirement, Tom became actively involved in the establishment and promotion of the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) in 2002 and retained that involvement right up to his passing.

He was passionate about promoting the superior quality and traceability of Irish grain.

Our sympathies go to his wife Lall, daughters Margie, Adrienne and Caroline, son Tom and extended family.