7 replies to this topic

[beautiophile]

Hi all,

 

Context first, my company produces plastic packaging for food. We own a land of ~20,000m² in an industrial park. The local regulation requires that at least 1/3 of the land is dedicated for green area. So the company built the factory, paved routes for vehicles, and preserved some soil alongside the fences for grass & trees. Whenever a personnel of big customer come, we invite them to plant a mango tree with their name plate in that green area. After years, we have dozens of tall mango trees surrounding the factory building. Our neighbour companies have trees too, just different species.

 

Last month, a foreign client (a branch of our largest customer) carried out a supplier audit here. He insisted that we needed to chop all mango trees because his food-process factory did so some years ago and the trees attracted pests.

 

Since the issue affects the customer relation matter, the global head-office would take care of further discussions (I wouldn't).

 

What do you think about the idea of tree demolition?

Our BRCGS Auditors have given no NCs for pest control and we also have to maintain the garden to comply the law.

 

Any comments are much appreciated,

 

 

 

 

[Tony-C]

Hi beautiophile,

 

I would ensure that my pest controller was inspecting this area regularly.

 

If pest control reports and BRCGS Audit report state all is clear and there are no issues then I don’t think your customer has a leg to stand on.

 

Write to the customer pointing out that there are no pest control issues on site and include copies of the above as evidence.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[jfrey123]

Agree with Tony.  If you've got some solid records to reflect that insects are not an issue inside your facility, then the "risk" posed by the nearby trees is not sufficient to require action.  When it comes to customers with strong-but-wrong beliefs, I normally tell them that our facility is in compliance and good standing with our GFSI certification body and their perceived issue has not raised concerns with certified auditors.  We tell them we'll note their concern should any actual issues arise from the area they're focusing on.

[G M]

Fruit bearing plants in the vicinity might increase the level of pest risk, but as others have stated you can still control that risk through your pest control program.

[Setanta]

How close are the trees to your production building?

 

Less than 100 feet you MAY have an increased risk of pests, but anything over that I would think you would be fine. Your numbers of insects and other pests caught in your perimeter traps should be the bigger indication of potential problems.

[TimG]

I don't want to be the guy to say it, but here's your problem right here:

a foreign client (a branch of our largest customer) carried out a supplier audit here. He insisted that we needed to chop all mango trees because his food-process factory did so some years ago and the trees attracted pests.

 

That's a him problem. His plant, his risks, his past should not be the deciding factor on impactful changes in your plant.

"Thank you for your input, we will include that in our risk analysis to be considered at our next site food safety review." If they push, you can go deeper into pest logs etc.

 

If I had a buck for every time a customer auditor made suggestions (even strongly) that either had no risk associated, or would actually INCREASE RISK, well I'd be able to have dinner and a drink for sure... 

[nwilson]

I don't want to be the guy to say it, but here's your problem right here:

a foreign client (a branch of our largest customer) carried out a supplier audit here. He insisted that we needed to chop all mango trees because his food-process factory did so some years ago and the trees attracted pests.

 

That's a him problem. His plant, his risks, his past should not be the deciding factor on impactful changes in your plant.

"Thank you for your input, we will include that in our risk analysis to be considered at our next site food safety review." If they push, you can go deeper into pest logs etc.

 

This is a very valid statement. 

 

I worked at a plant that had a large field at the rear of the facility that was adjacent to a creek.  The field was a purchased property and was completely fenced in.  During a customer audit it was pointed out that the grass was very high and in excess, and they wanted us to have it mowed down.  Mind you the owners would place a couple of cattle and/or goats in the fields periodically and this is how they managed the grass mowing.  I then proceeded to walk up to the fence line and told the auditor to come join me.  Then had them look down the entire fence line.  I asked "how many rodent trap boxes do you see down this fence line?" They stated there was too many to count.  I then pulled out my phone and showed a trend report direct from the Pest Control website showing a very small amount of activity at these sites, and no activity of sites at the building entrances along the backside of the facility.  Even with evidence showing control and explaining the "natural" grass mowers they were still insistent on mowing the grass and contacting the owners as well as issuing a finding.  I told them right then and there, thanks for your opinion on this subject, we have risk assessed this internally and have successfully mitigated any risks to not warrant any finding and our 3rd party audits have not considered this an issue.  They were very pushy on the subject and even stated that this could be a "deal breaker" in supplying them product.  They issued the finding in the final report and all I did was send them the pest control trend reports I showed them on my phone and reiterated we have a documented risk assessment.  Finding was closed that day I sent it off.  

 

It just goes to show that peoples options on a subject are not always risk based and just that an opinion.  Being objective is a hard thing to find and live by in general.  If you have evidence to support your claims and the risk to your facility is covered, strongly stand behind that evidence.  It is ok to push back when you know that you've done everything right.  Some just need to nitpick to justify their own means rather than base in a standard or risk aspect.  

 

On the topic of your trees make sure you have the evidence to support your claims and if anyone gives you any fluff you whip out that risk assessment and pest control records to let them know you are on top of it.  

[Setanta]

^ THAT had to be so satisfying!