Two new Alliance for Innovation & Operational Excellence (AIOE) "solution groups" of production and operations executives from consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) with experts from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have launched into action.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Solution Group is collaborating on a standard set of TCO metrics suppliers and CPGs can apply industry-wide, while the Engineering Solution Group is developing guidelines for sanitary equipment design for low-moisture foods.
As they create these guidelines, the Engineering Solution Group is also developing a process and approach that will encourage the industry as a whole to adopt and use the guidelines.
"By including engineering, quality, sanitation, operations and OEMs early in project sanitary design discussions, the collaboration will result in not only improved equipment design, but also, a common understanding of the benefits of investing in sanitary design," says AIOE participant Randy Porter, vice president of quality and product safety, Post Foods.
Similarly, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) share group is developing guidelines and metrics suppliers and CPGs can apply — consistently — to their operations.
"The Alliance is PMMI's bridge to connect the supply chain and help us all to work together to address our common issues," says Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI. "And TCO was a major topic of conversation when PMMI leaders and CPGs sat together at our recent 'Top to Top' meeting. This is an ideal way to harness the strength of the Alliance to the benefit of everyone on the supply chain.
PMMI launched AIOE in 2011. The group brings together OEMs and their customers to address key issues and establish best practices. Solution Groups to date include: Engineering, Sustainability, Operational Reliability, Product Safety, Workforce Development and Total Cost of Ownership.
