Audit time

[Kiwi Phil]

The wife and I are sitting here like a couple of stunned mullets.
It has been audit time again, for our Quality Assurance Program.
Auditor was here for 6 hours, and although you don't get grilled, you get questioned on 'everything', and answers must be 'quantitative' (have firm documentary evidence to directly support).
We spent weeks beforehand, making sure everything was correct, and we still got 2 CARS (Corrective Action Reports) issued against us. Nothing serious....we just hate it happening.

Here is a new word we learnt today....Organoleptic (put the meaning below)

We have just spent the last 2 hours drawing up a chart called Organoleptic Assessment and we have to complete it on every pick and pack. If you need one, let me know and I'll send a copy of mine.

It really is quite tiring, and darned expensive. This audit will come it at around $2k, plus I spent about $500 before hand with a consultant to check everything out properly.

What gets us the most is, we go thru all these hoops and hurdles, then our purchaser announces they have employed a consultancy team (always oversea) for $m's, and our supply is being reviewed.

Anyway, up the old red rooster, and drink more ......

Cheers
Phillip

Organoleptic refers to any sensory properties of a product, involving taste, colour, odour and feel. Organoleptic testing involves inspection through visual examination, feeling and smelling of products.

 

[JB]

Re: Audit time

Eek!!

Sure glad I am retired, Phil.:redface:

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Audit time

I know this will not soften the impact of the inspection however I fully understand.

My neighbor is a farmer who specializes (supplements) his dairy farm with growing and selling fresh vegetables. This year his business really took off big and he was notified that the USDA would be inspecting the farm.
The USDA inspected everything from soil samples, water samples, field locations and even the worker's sanitary habits. Those inspections did not come without paying the "proper fee" to the USDA (and the farm required two inspections - one scheduled and one surprise).

My neighbor came through with flying colors and actually attained the highest marks possible. Now that the substantial fees were paid and the two inspections are done...... the farm is now certified for 1 year. We get to do this all again next year!

And people wonder why farms are vanishing

 

[angus63]

Re: Audit time

I used to design and manufacture military/aerospace systems and components, many were mission and flight critical. As project manager, I spent 75% of my time involved in QA (ISO9001-AS9100-MSxxxxxx-FAA-etc). CAR was an everyday joy for me to resolve. I loved the work, but don't miss the stress and headaches!
Good luck with your product Phil!!!!

PS Could you translate the meaning behind "up the old red rooster" please? I have some ideas but am often surprised by the origin of phrases from other cultures. Thanks! By the way, "drink more" I already have covered...

 

[emoney]

Re: Audit time

I can feel your pain. I have both the Department of Health and the State Treasury to deal with. I test hearing and fit/repair/maintain hearing instruments.
Due to the cost, we also need to offer patient's financing alternatives. So,
we get hit with the "red tape" in every direction.

I have a friend that owns a car lot and he just got a Dept of Finance audit.
The thing lasted 2 weeks, resulted in his owing a few thousand dollars in
"errors found" and then, the guy hands him a bill and says, "Oh, btw, this
is my fee for doing the audit". $2850.00 I told him I would've been like,
no thanks, I didn't want this audit in the first place!

Anything like this can easily be a shake down, especially when they know you
need it or are required to do it.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Audit time

Hey Phil, I feel your pain. What Standard are you audited to. Is it ISO 9000-2000? I'm preparing to go through the process as we speak.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Audit time

PS Could you translate the meaning behind "up the old red rooster" please? I have some ideas but am often surprised by the origin of phrases from other cultures. Thanks! By the way, "drink more" I already have covered...

This vet has it down pat.
He is an Aussie. In Viet Nam I was a Kiwi, and an ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). (Now I'm an Aussie)
Anyway this is the 'old red rooster'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjVP6fIk1Hw

http://www.5rar.asn.au/retreats/red-rooster.htm

The Kiwis came up with a Hymn we use to sing.

Under the Southern Cross we stand,
God bless our native land -
AUSTRALIA!!
Australia????
What ships that mate?
HMNZS Australia!!
Up the old Red Rooster and
DRINK MORE PxSS!!

At that point the room erupted, Kiwis upturning tables for cover, Aussies climbing on top of other tables to hurl beer cans at them. When the Aussies expend their 'ammo', the Kiwis gather it up and the positions are reversed.
Now there is one little secret one must clearly understand.....never throw an empty beer can.....it must always have some 'weight' left in it, ensuring it goes further, hits harder, but often gets major wobbles and is highly inaccurate, but leaves a nice 'odor' on one.
The fight pauses when some dip-sticks off the USS Texas walk in the room, and someone says something derogatory about colonials, then it's every one against 'them', at which point they leave wondering just WTF that was all about!!

Anyway, these little forays were always brought to a halt by a screaming mama-sarm (sp), although on one occasion someone hit dumb-dumb on the head with a can and the look on her face....well ...it stopped proceedings.

One must also remember, Mama-sarm (sp) wasn't just just a big old chick running a tight shop....she also had the brains to say "you no bring back empty can, you no buy next one", which kept a tight reign on the ammo supplies

Being 20 was a long time ago, so maybe it all seems brighter now than in fact it was.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Audit time

Ah yes the ISO audit. Costing already well run businesses lots of money and keeping auditors well fed and housed while on the road and constantly employed.
I have just returned from China where I visited several Chinese tool and die shops. All are ISO certified and proudly display their certification as well as telling you all about it. Reality when you see what is actually going on is a completely different thing.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Audit time

Hey Phil, I feel your pain. What Standard are you audited to. Is it ISO 9000-2000? I'm preparing to go through the process as we speak.

They keep changing on me.

1st time is was an Industry owned and run called Freshcare 2, $1,500, + $750 annual audit.

2nd time made us change to SQF 2000 with full HACCP, $5,000 + $1,500 annual audit

Then SQF got greedy. Increased audit costs and insisted 6mthly audits, so....after an industry revolt

3rd time (current - 12 mths ago) Freshcare 3 with full HACCP designed for us by our industry $1,500 + $1,500 annual audit.

We never get a choice re changing...just get the dreaded e-mail.

We need Cert III in Food Processing.
They are really tough on us, but I am led to believe the 3rd world countries exporting fresh food, buy from growers with NO certification what-so-ever, but the exporter does, and when things go wrong, he just changes his name to a 2nd registration he owns, and carries on uninterrupted.

I am not normally pessimistic, but I believe growers like me are on borrowed time, and our solution will be owning freehold property, modern efficient infrastructure, own water/resources, and hopefully the development of demand for chemical free produce at farmers markets.


Limited Time.
You got a PM. Might be able to help you.

Bob VT.
you got one too.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[angus63]

Re: Audit time

Thanks Phil - There always seems to be an interesting story behind every phrase, often more than one version as well!