Upfield, who are the manufacturers of BlueBand brand products, has attained a 4-point improvement in the annual AIB unannounced quality audit in its Kenya factory. This improvement has enabled the company to retain an A classification.
The AIB quality audit is conducted annually and focuses on good manufacturing practices such as process control and monitoring, personnel and hygiene standards, facilities and infrastructure and compliance. The audit is also recognized internationally.
Upfield East and Southern Africa Managing Director, Peter Muchiri said the improved score was as a result of various measures taken by the organization. Such measures include sustainable closure of previous AIB audit actions, implementation of the FSSC 22000 standard, increased trainings and awareness sessions for staff, identifying gaps at the factory and facilitating closure and provision of CAPEX funds in closing actions that required huge capital investments.
“This quality audit means our factory is audited and graded against other factories worldwide using internationally recognized Good Manufacturing Practice standards. Our Nairobi factory achieved an A rating of 94.5% which means that our production environment, processes and site meet world class standards in terms of hygiene. Our consumers are therefore guaranteed of high-quality products,” added Muchiri.
On his part, Upfield’s Head of Supply Chain for East and Southern Africa, Alice Majani said, “We remain committed to producing and selling high quality products that meet global nutritional requirements whilst observing local statutory and regulatory requirements. Our production environment will remain clean and of world class standard in order to deliver safe and best quality products always.”
Last year, Upfield Kenya attained an A classification of 90.5%, an improvement from a B classification recorded the previous year.