Supplier audits from KTBA

Production processes clearly in view

Since 2020, KTBA has been providing supplier audits for Brand Masters of Oosterhout. Brand Masters is an internationally operating, commercial and logistics service provider. Besides buying and selling A-brand chocolate, confectionery, soft drinks and household items, Brand Masters also develops its own portfolio of concepts within these categories. In this way, the company manages to offer a unique assortment within non-food retail. "Suppliers are an essential link in the business for us. This is why we attach great value to supplier audits. KTBA provides these for us to our complete satisfaction. As a result, we are now even more selective in our partnerships with suppliers," says Astrid de Weerd, senior QA Officer at Brand Masters. Valerie Vanhove, Regional Manager at KTBA Belgium for Antwerp and Limburg adds: "We are proud of the fact that we are able to connect our auditors with suppliers so well."

Points of improvement keep you on your toes

"These supplier audits are perhaps the most important in our organization," Astrid emphasizes. "They bring the production processes of our suppliers into clear focus. This allows us to see more quickly whether they fall under high or low risk due to a specific certification (e.g. BRCGS, IFS, FSSC or ISO 9001). We also now assess much earlier whether or not a cooperation is in line with our wishes and expectations." With its supplier audits, KTBA intercepts the vulnerable aspects, sometimes blind spots that you as an "outsider" will not easily notice. Think, for example, of Critical Control Points (CCPs) that are not properly described or safeguarded or incomplete hazard analyses. Astrid: "These aspects, or points for improvement, keep us on our toes so that we continue to market good quality products and the business processes are guaranteed. It's nice when an auditor points this out to you. KTBA's support teaches us to look more critically anyway."

Scorecard part of 'living' quality manual

Supplier audits aim to achieve continuous improvement within delivery, an ongoing process. No quality manual is written in a day. "It's a living document," Valerie nuances. "You check that internal procedures are in line with practice and legality. Each country has its own laws and regulations. There are already differences between the Netherlands and Belgium. Can you imagine how big the differences can be when you look further across the borders." There too, KTBA offers a solution since, as part of the international Mérieux NutriSciences, it can deploy auditors from 26 countries worldwide.

To get to know suppliers better, KTBA developed a handy scorecard for companies. Astrid: "When suppliers join forces with us, sometimes you don't know whether they do so because of a peak or because they believe in a sustainable cooperation with us. The scorecard shows whether you are in red, orange or green territory with each other and you can then steer on that. Ultimately, you want to build lasting relationships for a sustainable future. Together with suppliers who subscribe to your vision and mission."

Sustainability and awareness

Speaking of sustainability. This is a hot topic for Brand Masters. Among other things, the company looks at its own carbon footprint, invested in solar panels and electric cars, and combines efficient freight as much as possible. The question is whether its suppliers also consider sustainability important. "You want to be able to test that," says Astrid. "Not to force suppliers to make sustainable choices, but to make them aware of possibilities. In this, too, the supplier audits offer us insight." "The theme of sustainability and its importance is alive and well everywhere, so also at KTBA," Valerie hooks up. "Not only for our own organization, but we also advise and support our customers on this. In Belgium, for example, we have a retailer who opts for an eco-label on packaging. Another retailer actually values recyclable packaging. Every step is a welcome one. Wonderful if you can secure the chain this way." "KTBA also helped us with this," notes Astrid. "For example, they created a questionnaire around this topic that helps us visualize the supplier's priorities in this area. KTBA then provides advice on this." Astrid believes that with the insights gained, there is also a nice role for Brand Masters' buyers. It gives them the space to share knowledge and create awareness.

Taking business to the next level

Within the food industry, supplier audits are a valuable service for any company to ensure the best possible food safety, nationally and internationally.

"As an organization, we have grown tremendously in recent years and are constantly innovating, but you have to prepare for that in time. If you want to take your company to the next level, you have to invest in audits," Astrid explains. A supplier audit makes the supplier aware of the importance of having its affairs in order. For the supplier this is also extra feedback, which they can work with, you can also see it that way.

ASTRID DE WEERD
Senior QA Officer at Brand Masters

"I am happy to have a partner like KTBA. Flexibility marks our cooperation. Not only when things are going well, but also when we run into things."

KTBA takes the worry out of your hands

Brand Masters has a lot of knowledge in-house, but due to busy work, employees often lacked time. KTBA now takes this worry off their hands.

"Before we partnered with KTBA, we had invited other potential partners to the table," Astrid says. "In the end, a top three of favorites emerged. KTBA emerged as the winner. Because it has everything under one roof and the price-quality ratio is excellent. We now also make use of the services in the field of labeling and receive support in matters of legislation and regulations. KTBA also really thinks along with you. She does not wait, but comes up with ideas and suggestions, tailored to who we are. This is very useful for an organization. If you say no all the time as a consultant, the door keeps closing. At KTBA, it opened further and further. I am happy to have a partner like KTBA. Flexibility characterizes our cooperation. Not only when things are going well, but also when we run into issues. Looking to the future, I think we are going to need KTBA a lot more," says Astrid. "We love hearing this," Valerie responds. "KTBA is indeed a one-stop shop for all kinds of expert services related to food quality and safety. We provide customized services, and the customer is always our main focus. We enjoy working with companies that are open to advice and don't shy away from a good discussion at times. Brand Masters is definitely one of them."