Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has obtained BRCGS AA Grade accreditation across all three sites of their Group.

Retaining accreditation for well-over a decade, Oakland International Redditch has held certification since the introduction of the storage and distribution standard in 2006 and introduced to compliment the suite of global standards covering production, packing and consumer products. Oakland International Ireland has held certification since 2013 and Oakland International Corby since 2018. BRCGS (previously known as BRC British Retail Consortium) stands for brand, reputation and compliance global standard.

Oakland International Head of Supply Chain Compliance and Accreditation, Louise Smith, stated:

“This is a fantastic result and no small achievement, and down to the dedication and hard work of every team member and so important in maintaining our quality standards, not just on audit day but all year round. Working within the supply chain, food safety is of paramount importance with BRCGS accreditation providing Oakland International with a recognised industry endorsement for food quality, safety and responsibility.”

One of the first businesses in their sector to achieve BRCGS accreditation and internationally recognised as the ‘global standard’ for storage and distribution, the standard encompasses all actions undertaken that may affect safety, quality and legality of products handled and stored, with the standard viewed as a cross-function responsibility.

BRCGS version 4 will replace version 3 as of May 2021, when there will be significant changes in several clauses and encompassing staff training and most noticeably food safety culture, with Oakland International already working to this new standard and prepared for V4 audit in 2022.

Added Louise: “Holding AA storage and distribution certification across all of Oakland’s facilities provides confidence that the quality and safety of customer products, whist in the hands of Oakland, will be maintained.

“Securing BRC’s AA rating is a clear endorsement for customers and our supply chain partners that they can have absolute faith in every area of Oakland’s operation, from product safety to quality and legality, that they won’t be compromised in any way.”

Operating 24-hours/7 days a week, Oakland International is a D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.