Freeze-Dry Foods continues to take its environmental sustainability further with Newton
Monday, 13 December 2010 11:57
TORONTO, November 2010- Newton, North America’s leading operational and financial improvement specialist and Freeze-Dry Foods, expert leader in Freeze drying food ingredients and other speciality products, have recently commenced phase two of its environmental sustainability program which will look at further equipment and process improvements, and improved cycle times.A few months ago when trying to establish new grounds for best practice in environmental sustainability and overall operational efficiency, Freeze-Dry knew they would need to collaborate with an outsider to gain an alternative perspective. They felt that their plants in U.S and Canada were running at full capacity 24-7, and subsequently needed to outsource orders to keep up with their demand. Acknowledging that they needed a specialist improvement company, Newton not only gave them a solution, but an opportunity catered specifically for Freeze-Dry Foods that would take them further in terms of sustainability.
“When we were looking for a consultant, we wanted someone who would help us make this a bottom-up process,” Karen Richardson, President of Freeze Dry explains. “We found Newton was most knowledgeable about what our problems were, how we could improve and what we were already doing well. They also understood that we really wanted to invest in our employees – that this wasn’t just a flavor-of-the-month type of directive. This wasn’t a ‘management says do it, so get it done’ sort of thing.”
To get started, Newton’s engineers looked at all the different products made by Freeze-Dry Foods and studied the equipment at each factory. “We had to determine which products and which equipment was the least efficient, and put in place measures to make the improvements,” Adrian Butler, Director of Newton notes.
Kian Kasravi, the main engineer from Newton set up an office in Freeze-Dry Foods’ lunchroom so he was close to employees at all times. Newton’s engineers and Freeze-Dry Foods’ production staff worked together to control the weights, temperatures and vacuums of each product, and also improved the efficiency of equipment changeovers.
Freeze-Dry Foods implemented its improvement projects at its Oakville facility from September to December 2009, and then worked at its Albion site from January to March 2010. The first goals, according to Richardson, were to establish employee buy-in, implement a culture of continuous improvement, develop key performance indicators and achieve new efficiencies.
“We saw clear, definitive improvements, which was really exciting,” Karen Richardson says. “The challenge was not to take on all of the problems we saw at once, but to stay focused on what we were trying to fix in those first projects.”
These projects were so successful, that Freeze-Dry Foods kicked off another project with Newton in the upcoming October of this year at its Oakville site. “For this new project, we are looking for more equipment and process improvements, and to improve cycle times,” Karen Richardson says. “By layering on this second project, we expect to see greater gains in what our equipment can produce.”
About Freeze Dry Foods
For over 40 years we've been serving our clients by freeze drying food ingredients and other specialty products. Our customers include many of the world's leading food companies and other specialty processors. With our fully equipped laboratory we are able to help customers develop the products they need. We can also show you how freeze dried ingredients can have a very positive impact on your product's quality. For more information on Freeze Dry Foods, go to www.freeze-dry.com
About Newton
Newton is a leading operational and financial improvement specialist. Founded in 2001 by a group of highly qualified and experienced engineers, the company’s objective is straightforward; to deliver performance improvement of 10%-50% in any client’s operations and supply chain without capital expenditure.
From its roots in manufacturing, Newton applies its unique engineering based approach across a wide range of industry sectors, working in areas as diverse as Aerospace, Automotive, Defense, Food and Drink and Healthcare, from the factory floor to design offices and throughout the supply chain.
Newton are not management consultants, they do not focus on strategy, re-structuring or re-organization- their focus is on identifying and resolving the isssues that limit performance, to deliver a tangible and measurable improvement, backed by Newton’s guarantee “no results, no fee”.
Newton has a substantial proven track record and has worked with many forward thinking organizations including Northstar Aerospace, British Airways World Cargo, KIK Custom Products and Freeze Dry Foods.
For more information on Newton, please go to www.newton-na.com