Corporate standardization is an effective tool for streamlining sanitation programs across multiple production facilities. Over the past several months, Remco has been working with several large food manufacturers to implement standardization programs. Throughout the process, Remco and end users identified a number of benefits to the program. The biggest benefit… simplified processes.
Hygiene programs tend to work best when simplicity is the primary consideration. Here are some of the top ways to streamline your own program:
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Procurement
Standardizing tools means spending less of your valuable time searching for compliant products when adding a new tool or replacing existing tools. Standardizing with a single supplier means managing fewer P.Os. and SKUs in the procurement process.
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Audits (internal/external)
Internal and external auditors will see one consistent process with understandable documentation for across multiple locations.
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Best Practices
Consolidate knowledge across multiple facilities, building collaboration and improving quality.
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Training Cost Savings
Enables a corporate-wide training department while limiting the time and money spent developing ad hoc programs at individual locations
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Employee Mobility
Move labor force between facilities without jeopardizing the understanding of your food safety program
In addition to simplifying processes, corporate standardization can benefit end users in several additional areas. Remco assists in equipment selection, visual management, tool documentation, and program implementation.
Equipment selection can be a challenging part of the standardization process. There are multiple suppliers selling many tools of varying quality. But, if you are implementing a color-coding plan, HACCP compliance requires more than simply having brushes and tools of the same color. We take into consideration requirements that tools be food safe, hygienically designed and purpose built.
Visual management is another area where we have been able to help end-users. Color-coding programs, proper signage, and appropriate labeling are all issues we consider.
One of the most important aspects of a corporate standardization program is the documentation supporting tool compliance with the FDA’s 21 CFR guidance. Remco has documentation ready for every piece of compliant equipment that we supply. We often provide detailed and well-organized sets of documentation to end users.
Finally, when it comes to implementing standardization programs, we have found great success in offering wide-ranging flexibility to end users. We keep a ready stock of items in our warehouse that can be shipped directly to end users. This allows our distributors to quickly fulfill large stocking orders without routing shipments through their shipping centers. In short, this means quicker turnaround times and fewer partial shipments.
If you have questions about corporate standardization, please contact Rob Middendorf
rmiddendorf@remcoproducts.com
