There are literally thousands of options that you can pursue in manufacturing, with the potential return on investment varying from a -100% return to a 100%+ return. The challenge for manufacturing companies is to have a process to determine what the next steps should be. IMEC has a basic process that can help you to navigate these waters and bring some clarity to your next step.

This article will focus on technology as well as Training Within Industry - Job Instruction (TWI-JI) module to capture standardized work.

The challenge: The onboarding process is challenging. The primary reason is two-fold.

First, if tasks are documented, they are usually written and describe the steps in the process. However, the onboarding process is much more than tasks. It involves a logical format that often uses more sensory input to be successful (e.g. vision or audio). Only, providing a written document for training has limited effectiveness as it does not consider all sensory input. Different individuals capture knowledge differently. Providing multiple methods or considering different sensory inputs will provide a more effective educational session.

Every organization has some level of risk that can impact the organization. Regardless of whether you have a formal quality management system or must meet regimented regulations, leadership, as well as additional stakeholders, have a particularly vested interest in identifying and planning for all potential risks to an organization. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a guide for conducting risk assessments. Regardless of the technology, the establishment of a standard approach is key.

The best managers are always seeking cost-saving opportunities within their manufacturing operations. Of all of those opportunities, there is no better cost to mitigate than that of poor quality. Lost labor hours and scrapping valuable food materials contributes zero value to your goals.

Therefore, to eliminate waste and improve quality, you must maintain a strategic approach which incorporates the following list to help improve product quality in food manufacturing.

Written by Ken Wunderlich, IMEC Technical Specialist

Food Safety rules, regulations and requirements apply to many types of companies, even some you might not think of, like ingredients and packaging suppliers, the packers themselves, warehousing and storage providers, trucking and logistics partners… every company that handles food on the journey from farm to table.  If your company handles or touches products in the food chain, or if you want to get into that industry, there are strict rules you have to play by, but they don’t need to be overwhelming.

Companies big and small make important contributions putting food on the table locally and worldwide.  Small farmers, for example, serve a vital role in supplying local farmers’ markets and retailers, where Food Safety management is a little less daunting because they literally control the process from the farm to the shelf.  You’ve heard it before, and it’s true:  Small Farmers are the backbone of America, and many make a good honest living supplying their local communities.