PMMI unites processing partners
Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development at PMMI, said its Operational Excellence Forums (OEFs) fit into PMMI’s big-picture plan to help bolster the processing and packaging industries.
“Our objective is to bring the entire packaging and processing supply chain together to create an environment in which people can collaborate, communicate and continuously improve packaging and processing operations,” he said.
Positive signs
Results from the organization’s recent OEFs in New Jersey and Wisconsin show the plan is effective, Izquierdo said. At both, PMMI members and machinery end users tackled hot topics such as total cost of ownership (TCO), design considerations, managing packaging materials and more.
“The participants as a group collaborated to find answers,” Izquierdo said. “They worked together, just as they must on the job, within the customer-supplier relationship.”
Crucial collaboration
The PMMI leader added that the cooperative project underscored the importance of real-world collaboration between manufacturers and food-company customers.
“While it’s critical that a customer and a supplier clarify customer expectations before the order is placed, OEMs and CPGs also need to come together as a group to create a standard template anyone can use,” he said.
Total cost
TCO is an area ripe for a meeting of the minds, Izquierdo said.
“When the supplier and the customer define it differently, the result is conflicting information and misunderstandings,” he remarked. “It’s only one example of where coming together, and working together, can benefit everyone.”
PMMI is the organizer of PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2013, scheduled September 23-25 in Las Vegas. The event will host more than 1,600 exhibitors focusing on processing and packaging solutions, including educational programming and market-specific show features. Learn more or register here.
