Food Processing - Food Handling

Reducing the Costs Associated with Food Safety
Spending for food safety and HACCP compliance has risen dramatically. From 1996 through 2000, U.S. plants as a group spent about $380 million annually and made $570 million in long-term investments to comply with USDA Regulations, according to a survey initiated by the Economic Research Service. The U.S. meat and poultry industry as a whole during the same period spent an additional $360 million on food safety investments that were not required by the PR/HACCP rule.

Recognizing the opportunity to drive down the total cost per plant for implementation of food safety and quality solutions, CCS created a paperless enterprise solution that enables companies to comply with regulatory bodies and reduce costs by improving production efficiency, increasing worker productivity and reducing waste.

Modularity, Flexibility and Fast Deployment
The solution combines Document Management, HACCP/SOP and SPC in modules which can be used individually or as a tightly integrated suite. If desired, CCS also provides all ruggedized mobile and stationary computer hardware for successful deployment and operation in a poultry environment.

The Document Management Module reduces costs associated with the creation, distribution and retrieval of QA Documentation. All documents are easily created, edited, approved and distributed electronically. The system maintains the latest published version of documents ensuring documentation control and reducing costs associated with scrap and rework. “More informed users make better operational decisions,” notes Daryl Scott, Director of QualTrax, CCS’ document management subsidiary. Audit tools to support proper regulatory or certification compliance are included. Data can easily be shared with ERP, MES or other business control systems.

The HACCP/SOP Module is a paperless data collection system for food safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance. It integrates with existing systems and delivers critical real-time data throughout the enterprise. “The system delivers on the promise of paperless data collection and management of HACCP and SSOP data, from the shop floor to the highest levels of your organization,” comments Matt Magallanes, CCS Director of Sales. “Management can now easily view and supervise all HACCP activity across an entire organization—from plant floor areas to corporate compliance functions,” said Magallanes.

The SPC Module is a real-time statistical process control tool set. This module puts organizations in control of their systems and data, giving supervisors and decision makers the power to make accurate and informed decisions in real-time. The SPC module allows companies the opportunity to reduce the "give away”, such as larger chicken portions due to out-of-calibration equipment. “Poultry customers now impose their own requirements on Processors,” says CCS’ Magallanes, adding “Fortunately our SPC customers can satisfy customers through effective portion control and weight control systems that have delivered ROIs exceeding 90%.”

To see a demo of this solution visit booth 5267 at the International Poultry Exposition or contact CCS at 800-277-3077.

About CCS-Inc.
Founded in 1981, CCS consists of two business units: CCS-Industrial and QualTrax, Inc. QualTrax provides web-based document management software valuable for companies working in regulated industries that must comply with ISO, QS, FDA, HACCP or other guidelines. QualTrax greatly simplifies document/content management, workflow tracking and business/manufacturing process control. CCS-Industrial provides Industrial-grade ruggedized computer hardware, integration, design and engineering services for OEMs and industrial clients. CCS-Industrial’s product line features NEMA-rated integrated workstations, enclosures, industrial computers, mobile computers and panel PCs for the food and beverage, marine, manufacturing, communications, energy and utilities and life sciences industries. CCS is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company based in Christiansburg, VA and serves customers worldwide. Partners include Virtuant Corp (www.virtuant.com), provider of Mobilitee HACCP software, and InfinityQS International (www.infinityqs.com), provider of SPC software.

For more information, please contact Amy Ankrum, Director of Marketing at 800.277.3077, extension 127, or visit the company’s web site at www.ccs-inc.com