Heinz reviewed every stage of Buckleys processes, from receipt of raw materials to delivery of the finished wet-glue labels, and found it to consistently deliver to our stringent specification.
Justin Caetano, Heinzs supply chain quality assurance manager, said the development of a supplier to the highest grade demonstrated the importance of supplier relationships to Heinz.
From our point of view it means were confident that we can use the labels without further inspection or asking for certificates of conformance, he added.
Buckleys has supplied Heinz with more than 40m wet-glue labels a month for its Baked Beans range since 2001. This has recently been extended to nearly 60m with the contract to print labels for its canned pasta and puddings ranges.
Only three of Heinzs eight print suppliers have Grade A status, added Caetano, and the company is more likely to position business with suppliers of a higher grade.
One way in which Buckleys improved operations was with the introduction of a Gerber computer-controlled cutter - only previously used in the textile industry to replace the scalpel and ruler method to create a cut-out blanket for UV or aqueous label coatings.
In 1989, Buckleys also obtained the BS 5750 Quality System accreditation, which it has retained though biannual audits, and it recently achieved ISO 9001:2000.
