John Signal

General Manager

Venison Packers

What was the situation?

Venison Packers is a toll processor located in Fielding, New Zealand. Venison Packers resides at the same site as Lamb Packers and as General Manager, John Signal is responsible for all activities at both sites.

The New Zealand meat industry operates in a highly regulated environment and compliance is a key function of any site.

InformationLeader was developed by Theta Technologies to provide an electronic solution to the capturing, relaying, and reporting of data captured within a processing line.

Why is this a significant change?

“We could see that with InformationLeader through the input of all information into a database we could get a live record of all compliance requirements and thereby achieve a transparent audit trail of who did what”, said John.

“Our paper based system therefore could be adapted to go completely electronic. And with the alert system – for both major and minor alerts when over pre-set limits – it means that we can see potential problems and be on top of minor issues so they don’t get forgotten”.

The capturing of live data into the one electronic repository has also provided management with the ability to source reporting information for trend analysis with ease.

“From a management perspective it provides us with a tool that can provide information in a timely fashion – usually instantaneously. That type of time efficiency is of great benefit to have”, John said.

What does the future now look like?

The utilisation of the data recorded in the InformationLeader database allows John to take a wholistic and strategic view of the operation. Timely information regarding not only quality assurance aspects of the business, but also productivity allows the use of actuals for budgeting, providing in turn a solid platform for the continual improvement in business performance and future growth.

Clinton Reeve

IT & Technical Manager

NZ Lamb Packers

What was the situation?

As Technical Manager for the NZ Lambpackers site, Clinton Reeve saw a gap in the site’s ability to monitor and control the process line on a daily basis.

InformationLeader was developed by Theta Technologies to provide an electronic solution to the capturing, relaying, and reporting of data captured within a processing line.

Since its installation, Clinton has been able to see significant benefits in many of the process operations of the plant.

“Since its implementation we have been able to introduce performance monitoring such as animals per man per hour, yielded product information and cost of production information even including chemical usage. We are able to provide management reports including graphs simply and efficiently. This data has enabled us to have much more than a quality assurance program; we have been able to introduce a continual improvement program,” Clinton Reeve said.

Why is this a significant change?

InformationLeader has provided NZ Lamb Packers with an application that through monitoring performance in all aspects of the business has enhanced the business’s processes and in turn increased productivity.

Audits are now easier to conduct and report both through the unique date stamping of data entering the system and the real time recording of information. Information on yields and productivity has reduced costs and increased budgeting forecast capabilities.

What does the future now look like?

Through the better management of the information available to the QA department business practices and productivity have been increased. In the future NZ Lamb Packers can look to having real information on which to base budgets, cost reduction strategies and areas of opportunity in work performance.

Neville Hensel, Operations Manager, Norvic Food Processors

What was the situation?

Prior to the use of InformationLeader, Neville describes the main challenge in using a paper based QA system being the traceability of forms to identify trends and when required to rectify an issue in the processing line.

This is achieved through the use of mobile hand held computers (web tablets) that allow the entire processing chain to electronically record information and send it in real time to the central location of the Quality Assurance office.

Why is this a significant change?

Since the implementation of InformationLeader at Norvic the traceability of forms has become significantly simple and has saved a lot of time.

“Because all forms are now electronic and all product will have an electronic ID we will be able to search quickly for auditing purposes, reporting and analyzing data collected. Also allows quick response for recall and rejection if required. It has and will save an enormous amount of time,” Neville said.

Another benefit has been the reduction in duplication of forms across different areas of operation at Norvic.

“This has increased the communication between departments as InformationLeader connects all of the parts of the site. We have a great deal more continuity with the way the forms are used as well. The time that this has saved me means that I can spend more time on the floor instead of being stuck in the office”.

What does the future now look like?

Neville Hensel believes that Norvic can look forward to more gains through the use of InformationLeader.

“With the release of new versions of the product by Theta, we will achieve even greater efficiency in our operation into the future. The product is flexible enough to be adapted to our own specific needs, so we can look forward to increasing our competitive advantage and best practice standing.”

Rob Radford, General Manager, Radfords

What was the situation?

Radfords & Sons was established in 1946 and has been managed by Rob Radford for the last 20 years after taking over from his father.

The operation turns over approximately $24 million per year and processes approximately 60,000 cattle and 100,000 sheep and lambs on an annual basis. It is one of the few holders of an organic meat license in Australia.

When speaking on the industry, Rob Radford points to the massive rationalization that has occurred over the last 5 to 10 years that has in turn required operations like Radfords to adopt best practice processes to stay viable.

Implementing InformationLeader therefore was seen as a significant tool to further enhance the performance management at Radfords.

Information Leader was developed by Theta Technologies to provide an electronic solution to the capturing, relaying, and reporting of data.

Why is this a significant change?

Rob points to the success the middle management team has had in cutting down a lot of valuable time in filling out the required paperwork.

“The technology has made their lives a lot easier. Whereas before there was a lot of writing, now they use web tablets for data recording which then goes directly into the QA computer. It means that these guys can do other jobs, in other areas of the plant more likely to make money such as looking at running costs or new markets for product,” Rob said.

What does the future now look like?

The next stage for InformationLeader at the Radfords site is to move into the maintenance area and also to be used in the new boning room for stock take and value-adding on boning products.

With Rob’s middle management team now able to devote increased time and energy into developing other business opportunities for the enterprise, further areas of adoption for InformationLeader are hoped within the near future.

Jon Hayes

Managing Director, Norvic Food Processors

What was the situation?

Jon Hayes has been the General Manager at Norvic for 5 years. Prior to this he worked with AQIS for 15 years. Working on both sides of the red meat industry fence, he has a good understanding of the regulatory framework Australia works in and the large amount of paperwork required to satisfy this level of regulation.

The Norvic Processing plant is a complex site with 15 processing areas that need to be constantly monitored and assessed for performance. Prior to the implementation of InformationLeader this was a long, manual process.

Why is this a significant change?

The application has resulted in the elimination of approximately half of the time spent on filling out paperwork and through its reporting features has allowed management to get a real time snapshot of the plant’s performance.

InformationLeader has provided Norvic with a single solution to integrate all areas of environment, industrial relations, training, food safety, maintenance and Occupational Health, allowing management to make proactive as opposed to reactive decisions.

“What quality is about is getting it right the first time – measuring it. Prevention costs might go up a bit but failure costs come down” Jon Hayes said.

What does the future now look like?

The red meat export industry is worth $6 billion to Australian trade each year. InformationLeader can now be used as a marketing tool given its ability to provide accurate assessment and traceability of the product.

As Jon states “Everything is recorded and measured. It means traceability from the farm to the box. That’s the key to this (application). What we need to market is our safeness, our quality. If we all get focused on that as an industry we are going to take the global (and domestic) situation head on”.

InformationLeader is the tool that can keep Norvic and the Australian meat industry at the helm of best practice and as industry leaders locally and globally.

Alistair Baker, QA Manager, WAMMCO International

What was the situation?

The Australian red meat industry is one of the most highly regulated in the country, requiring a large amount of paperwork in order to comply with numerous audits carried out by the regulatory authorities.

InformationLeader was introduced at WAMMCO to provide an electronic system to manage the Quality Assurance process of the site. Information recorded at the processing line would now be electronically recorded, sent to the QA office, and information there provides an instantaneous snap shot of any issues that were being encountered and also provides management with an accurate reporting tool.

Why is this a significant change?

“InformationLeader has cut down our paperwork by 75%. Instead of taking a full day to go through the day’s checks we are now only taking half an hour”, Alistair Baker said.

The application has also provided the site with an immediate benefit in auditing processes.

“All information entered into the QA system is done in real time and date stamped. It is also available at the touch of a fingertip – no more scrabbling through filing cabinets” Mr Baker said.

WAMMCO has also looked to InformationLeader as providing a central repository for information linked to on-site training. The forms within the program can be linked to work instructions and standard operating instructions with video and pictures.

“Our most non computer literate person on site has become the best person in terms of operating the application” said Alistair Baker.

What does the future now look like?

WAMMCO have seen the capability of the InformationLeader and are now developing 21st century options for the training and development of operational staff, environmental monitoring, and the maintenance of their HACCP program.

Steve Crook, QA Manager, Radfords

What was the situation?

The large amount of paperwork required to fulfill his job role was the major challenge to affect Steve Crook’s role as the QA Manager at Radfords.

Utilising a paper based quality assurance system meant much time bogged down doing paperwork and a long protracted process in order to fix faults from the processing line.

Similarly, a large amount of time was needed to generate management reporting requirements.

Since the implementation of Information Leader at Radfords Steve maintains that the main benefit of the application has been the capture of the live data and the dramatic reduction in time spent doing paperwork.

Information Leader was developed by Theta Technologies to provide an electronic solution to the capturing, relaying, and reporting of data captured within a processing line. This information is then assessed and management decisions made, where needed within minutes, regarding any issues that the data records.

Why is this a significant change?

Since the implementation of Information Leader at Radfords, Steve Crooks saw an extraordinary saving in his time.

“Within 6 months of Information Leader being implemented within the site, I cut down the time I spent on paperwork incredibly – probably by about two thirds. The other benefit of the system that I have gained is the Crystal Reports and the ability to graph the information contained within the system and reports”, Steve said.

“We are able to show auditors the time stamp for all information logged into the system. It also means that there is responsibility and accountability from our guys to making sure if they need to, things can get rectified quickly. If they don’t the alerts head up the chain. The system is foolproof and that’s the best thing about it” he said.

What does the future now look like?

Ultimately Steve can see major benefits in implementing the software through all areas of the Radfords site such as maintenance. That would take about another 6 to 12 months; however the benefits that would provide to the site would be enormous.

Stu Brown

Technical Manager, Alliance Meat Processors

What was the situation?

Alliance had been previously utilising a Scottish based QA system with limited user access per site, but it was not equipped to analyse and report on the data contained within the application.

With the demonstration of InformationLeader to the site decision makers the analysis and reporting capability of the application became clear and their ability to enhance the processes at Alliance were obvious.

Why is this a significant change?

“Because the system is now electronically based you have to react to it straight away. Because of the date, time and identity stamp feature of the application along with the real time reporting, if a fault is not dealt with by the assigned person straight away the system will flag it” said Stu.

Another benefit of the application for Alliance was the ability to monitor recurring faults.

“For example the application reports on our fat tests and that gives us a great deal of flexibility to be able to drill down and look at specific areas by writing specific reports into the database. Through InformationLeader we’ve got instant reporting – that means compliance is happy. We are able to provide information quickly and it looks presentable too – even the graphing feature has saved us an enormous amount of time, ” said Stu.

Even more time was saved when InformationLeader gave the lab the ability to send the report directly to the printer housed in the QA office on site.

What does the future now look like?

Looking towards the future Stu can see the benefit in linking the health and safety to the program also and further developing the ability to manage resources through InformationLeader’s reporting mechanisms.

From Stu’s point of view he couldn’t be happier with the improvements the applications has made to both his job role and the benefits it has given the site as a whole.

Kim Jorgensen

Quality Systems Manager, Golden Circle

What was the situation?

Based in Northgate, Brisbane, the Golden Circle main manufacturing operation is large and diverse. Over 850 farmer shareholders supply over 120,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables every year to the factory for processing.

Over the past several years, Golden Circle has invested extensively into its operations. Part of Golden Circle’s investment strategy was the bench marking of its operations utilising the latest technology, and implementing InformationLeader as the organisation’s document management software application was a result of this.

Why is this a significant change?

The InformationLeader implementation has saved the QA department enormous amounts of time by streamlining their document control process.

“Access levels have been assigned to others within the organisation to update their own documentation without the reliance on the Document Control department. This has therefore meant that the time saved in updating and superceding documents for the department can be utilised elsewhere in the operation”, Kim said.

What does the future now look like?

With document management under control, Goldern circle can now look at developing more business tools with InformationLeader.

“We are currently looking at record management processes for the 500+ suppliers that supply our products. This will include production specifications for suppliers and approvals for processes and ingredients.

We are also looking to dispense with our old customer complaints database and move to InformationLeader. Because the application is web based, greater access can be achieved and other people can input data in from other places. We can also use the application’s reporting function to tailor our reporting a lot better. I’m looking forward to rolling it out in the near future” Kim said.

Brett Osrin, Managing Director of Ecowize

Ecowize is a leading provider of specialist outsourced cleaning services in South Africa, New ZealandandAustralia. Ecowize focuses on providing highly customised cleaning solutions to the food manufacturing and processing industry at competitive prices.

Ecowize has recently chosen to implement a total quality management system to realise their vision to be the preferred food safety partner in their target markets. A significant component of this plan is to introduce InformationLeader for document management and electronic record keeping across the entire organisation.

“[Ecowize has] made a bold investment in the best information management system we could find – InformationLeader” says Brett Osrin, Managing Director of Ecowize. “InformationLeader is a system that will facilitate Ecowize’s continued competitiveness in the high-compliance food industry.”