Reefer operations at P&O Ferrymasters have achieved British Retail Consortium (BRC) accreditation for the transport of packed, temperature controlled food products following an audit by the business assurance arm of Det Norske Veritas.
The BRC certificate confirms compliance with the Global Standard for Storage & Distribution Issue 2 September 2010 regarding the carriage of chilled, frozen and ambient food packaged as consumer products.
Following audit of the logistics company's processes and facilities in July, the certificate was issued in early August. It is valid for one year and renewable subject to annual audit.
"This accreditation is essential in retaining current business and securing future customers," says general manager operations trailers Vleming Geerligs. "Our internal audit team will regularly cross-check procedures to help maintain the quality levels required for annual renewal."
The BRC is involved throughout the retail chain - from manufacture to supply and sale - to ensure that customers receive the highest standards of product and service. Quality, safety and hygiene are paramount in the food processing sector, where BRC accreditation supports monitoring by quality control professionals on all aspects of production, storage and distribution - from the condition of wall seals to the provenance of every ingredient.
P&O Ferrymasters is one of Europe's leading specialists in temperature controlled logistics services, which are HACCP certified and SQAS assessed. The company operates a dedicated reefer fleet with up to 24-tonne payload capability. The trailers move some 25,000 loads per year and can now display the BRC logo.
P&O Ferrymasters is one of Europe's leading logistics providers, offering tailor-made transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions. The company is part of P&O Ferries - which is owned by Dubai World - and employs 530 people at 25 strategic locations across 12 European countries.