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BRC global standard for Oakland International

The team at Worcestershire based contract packing, storage and logistics firm Oakland International Ltd are buzzing following confirmation they have excelled the industry's BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation for storage and distribution, passing with flying colours. Speaking for Oakland's QA team, quality assurance supervisor and Redditch local, Michelle Higgitt, said: "We are all delighted at the news. Oakland insists on the highest possible standards throughout and we are overjoyed to have been awarded BRC's best possible accreditation resulting in Oakland's next audit now not due until January 2009. Maintaining our BRC certification is acknowledgment of the team's ability to perform, not just on audit day, but every day." Internationally recognised, this new 'global standard' for storage and distribution initiated earlier this year by the BRC, now covers environment standards, operating systems, traceability, layout and product flow. It also incorporates handling requirements for specified materials. The rigorous daylong audit, carried out by leading international food safety and assurance company CMi plc, included inspection of the firm's processes; quality management systems and overall factory environmental standards were also scrutinized. This accreditation standard enables the company to attract interest from new business markets, globally. Oakland's MD Dean Attwell said: "Retaining BRC's accreditation is fantastic and continues to provide our customers with the confidence that they are dealing with a specialist multi temperature supply chain business, ranked among the very best. "With a dedicated QA department to oversee all operations, our customers are secure in Oakland's capability to complete the chain between manufacture and the end retailer. Oakland's team produce high levels of service, react quickly and provide our customers with the flexibility they need, when they need it. This accreditation is acknowledgement of the 100 per cent effort everyone at Oakland puts in." Recognised as a key player within their sector, Oakland offers a complete supply chain management solution for frozen, chilled and ambient product, along with an extensive range of co-packing support services. Oakland International Limited Tel: 01527 596222 www.oakland-international.com