Scranton, Pa.-based warehouse RLS Gress, an affiliate partner of cold chain solutions provider RLS Logistics, recently earned the top food safety certification for cold storage warehousing and distribution through the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRCGS), garnering the organization’s highest AA rating.
The BRCGS certification for storage and distribution is an international accolade awarded to companies to meet BRC standards of best practices for quality, hygiene, and product safety. The BRCGS grading system ranges from AA, A, B, C, and D to Uncertified, from highest to lowest. The scale is based on the amount and type of non-conformances found in the audit; a double-A BRCGS rating signal less than five minor nonconformances.
RLS Gress said the AA rating proves it is a trusted, food safety-focused logistics provider. Partnering with an AA BRCGS-certified 3PL company is beneficial to food manufacturers who value cold chain visibility, brand protection, and best food-safety practices, the company added.
“I am very proud of our team that we get to raise the BRCGS AA flag here at RLS Gress,” said Glenn Gress Jr., vice president and regional partner at RLS Gress.
Part of the BRCGS Issue 4 new audit protocol requires cold storage warehouses to agree to unannounced audits. Surprise audits hold companies accountable for adhering to the most current standards and ensure the company remains a trusted cold storage warehouse and shipping company in the industry.
“Having witnessed how RLS Gress transformed its culture to understand what BRCGS does, come together as an example of what cold storage warehouse teams should behave like, and complete the audit the way they did is truly special,” said Jose Maldonado, director of quality and safety at RLS Logistics.
“It’s not only special because RLS Gress is the first RLS cold storage warehouse partner to achieve their goal of completing the food safety audit, but because the hard work they put forth made them deserve it.
“It’s a pleasure to see team efforts come together in that manner.”
