Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.
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18 AUGUST 2014 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com 3PLs and technology providers help mitigate risk for food customers. B y L A R A L . S O W I N S K I Some 3PLs and technology providers in the food sector are taking a leadership role in the area of food safety, implementing pro- cesses that exceed current requirements and raising the bar for the industry at large. Ryder is an example of a company that took an early interest in promoting food safety throughout its operations, which encompasses transportation, warehous- ing and packaging for food clients. Prior to the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011, Ryder recognized the importance of food safety and took steps to assure equipment was safe for food transport. Among other measures, the company implemented stringent inspec- tions of truck trailers to assure they were clean, sanitary and odor free. For refriger- ated equipment, checks were made to ensure it would maintain proper temperature throughout the shipment, explains Darin Cooprider, vice president and general man- ager of consumer packaged goods at Ryder. "We've been doing this for a while," he says, noting that Ryder made a decision ear- ly on and in advance of regulatory mandates to invest in food safety standards that were beyond the industry norm. "As a large logistics provider to the indus- try, we view ourselves as an extension of our customers. We try to create a value proposi- tion for our customers and we obviously take our role in supply chain execution to heart. What that means is that we have to be proactive, just as our customers are proactive in their business, to safeguard the commodities that are within our control. That also means avoiding problems; not just fixing problems after they have occurred." This approach compels Ryder to make investments throughout its operations, including its logistics facility in Beaver Dam, Wis., which supports cold and fro- zen food distribution for a variety of food manufacturers. The facility features 30,000 pallet positions (23,000 racked), 40 ship- ping doors, seven blending stations, five packaging lines, two IQF freezing tunnels/ blanchers and high-speed robotic palletizing for frozen vegetables, fresh vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, sauce, flavor packets, meats and proteins. According to Cooprider, "There are a number of steps we take to proactively safe- guard the food supply. These range from Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and processes instituted by our customers, to third parties like Silliker and F ood safety is easily one of the top concerns for today's food supply chains, extending from growers and producers to logistics providers and grocery retailers. While new food safety regulations typically go hand-in-hand with increased costs, the fact is that food safety breaches, no matter how minor, can easily exceed the cost of compliance. C O V E R S T O R Y Ryder's logistics center in Beaver Dam, Wis. serves some of the industry's leading food manufacturers. FRONT AND CENTER Putting Food Safety