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Helping Campbell’s with continuous improvement

Campbell Soup Company uses a joint collaboration process to effectively work with its OEMs and internal stakeholders when developing and purchasing hygienic equipment.

Matt Swanson uses the joint collaboration process at Campbell Soup when the company purchases equipment.
Matt Swanson uses the joint collaboration process at Campbell Soup when the company purchases equipment.

Matt Swanson, manager of global packaging systems at Campbell Soup Company, is a member of the OpX Leadership Network’s Engineering Solutions Group that developed One Voice for Hygienic Equipment Design for Low-Moisture Foods. He shares his thoughts with ProFood World (PFW) on the joint collaboration process (JCP) and how it has helped Campbell’s with its continuous improvement journey.

PFW: What challenges were you facing at Campbell’s regarding hygienic equipment design for low-moisture foods production that motivated you to join the OpX Engineering Solutions Group? 

Swanson: When we used to prepare request for proposals (RFP), for the most part, they only included a reference to either USDA or other industry sanitary standards as part of the overall specifications. This practice often did not provide enough detail for the OEMs to develop a proper proposal that met our sanitary design expectations, nor did it necessarily ensure the equipment was built to maximize sanitation effectiveness. Purchasing equipment in this manner often resulted in suboptimal sanitary performance and required field modifications to improve the issues. 

With the challenges we were having with new installations and the implementation of FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), our food safety director requested the engineering group to develop a comprehensive set of sanitary standards to give better guidance to OEMs on our requirements. 

In the process of finalizing the standards, I was concerned that it would be difficult or confusing to apply them to equipment purchasing. I wanted to have multiple OEMs review the standards and make recommendations to ensure they would be used effectively. I attended the OpX Engineering Solutions Group presentation at PMMI’s PACK EXPO and afterwards became a part of the group to help develop the standards. OpX provided a platform to openly discuss and develop standards with peers and OEMs, and ensure that we had a feasible process to purchase equipment with the appropriate level of sanitary design.   

INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Food Products at PACK EXPO Southeast
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INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Food Products at PACK EXPO Southeast