Using a 3rd party to warehouse our finished product?

Good morning all

We are contemplating using a 3rd party to warehouse our finished product (we would be present for each shipment) as we've plum run out of room

Our product is shelf stable and cannot be adulterated without the compromising the seals (so we would know)

My question:  would they simply be a contract supplier? Do they HAVE to be certified?  Is this really any different than when our product gets cross docked?

Thanks

Good morning !

We use a third party for our raw materials (As they are frozen and we do not have sufficient storage for all of it). They are considered to be a contract supplier. I would assume, unless they get shipped from that location, that they would also be considered a contract supplier. You could always have specific requirements for them, as they need to give you a Letter of Guarantee certifying that your product will not be compromised and will be stocked in a specific environment, etc. 

Hope it helped ! :)

- Julie

Scampi,

I am pretty sure you would have searched and went through the following discussion, but just referring it again here:

https://www.ifsqn.co...qf-requirements

IMO: These can be considered as a 3rd party contract service provider. Most of the 3rd party warehouses are getting certified these days against some form of standard (to satisfy their customer needs), in your case it would be preferred, as well. However, if this is not the case with the warehouse you are dealing with, they should satisfy your company's contract provider standards. Conduct an audit of the site (particularly of Pest control, Food defense, Product release/control- as your product should be low risk due to the temper evident packaging) , unless temperature control comes into play/product based.

IMO: this can be considered a cross-dock if it is stored there for a shorter or no time at all, but in your case it seems like you might be storing it there for some more time, so i would recommend to consider it as a 3rd party storage site.

Hope it helps.

Thanks to all!  Confirmed what I was thinking!

Contract service provider - subject to inspection.

Hello Scampi,

we handle this as third party service provider with rules similar to transportation - means contract, audit, certification - and clear separation of food and non-food areas (if present).

Rgds

moskito