Following a recent audit, leading warehousing and distribution specialist Bretts Transport has been awarded a BRCGS AA grade for Storage and Distribution.

The BRCGS is a globally recognised food safety and quality certification program that sets the benchmark for food manufacturers and suppliers – ensuring that they are compliant to the Global Food Safety Initiative.

As one of the UK’s most experienced operators for food packaging and distribution, the coveted AA grade is a significant achievement for Bretts, which last year celebrated 90 years in business.

Over the decades the business has stood the test of time priding itself on continually demonstrating a high level of commitment to providing a best-in-class service to its customers, with the BRCGS AA accreditation being a testament to this long-standing ethos.

In order to help achieve the BRCGS AA standard, Bretts took the strategic decision to appoint Jo Doyle as its new HSEQ Manager – who arrived with an extensive track record in achieving BRCGS and ISO standards at her previous places of employment.

Hitting the ground running, Jo managed to support the team in obtaining the AA grade within just 3 months of her joining.

Along with implementing and maintaining quality management standards, in her new role Jo has been tasked with ensuring the well-being and progression of all staff, as well as being responsible for driving forward solutions to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Simon Brett, Managing Director at Bretts Transport commented: “The importance of achieving a AA grade cannot be overstated. In line with our long-standing ethos of delivering excellence in every aspect of the business we felt obtaining the standard was fundamentally important in order to reflect that commitment and dedication to new and existing customers.

“In order to comply with the accreditation, we placed huge emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene within the warehouse where we both store and handle ambient, packaged food products, bulk ingredients and packaging materials. In an environment where retailers demand precise adherence to quality, consistency, and service, our BRC AA offers customers the assurance that we are committed to maintaining high operational standards.

“A significant thanks must go to Jo Doyle, our HSEQ Manager, who played an integral role in increasing our BRCGS rating to AA standard. Her expertise and experience in supporting the business with the implementation of HSEQ processes and initiatives, will enable us to not only ensure a safe and healthy working environment but also to maintain all-important standards such as the BRCGS AA as well as enhance the best practice of our team members.”

Jo Doyle is looking forward to the challenge ahead. She said: “We have so far managed to make significant inroads in achieving the BRCGS AA grade, as well as to streamlining the company’s HSEQ processes and policies.

“Ultimately, the business is passionate about doing things in the correct manner and understands both the short term and long-term benefits in investing in health and safety, staff training, sustainably and various standards, which is hugely refreshing.

“Over the coming months I will now set my sights on fine-tuning Bretts’ processes and policies in order to deliver improvements for the business as well as further develop its much-valued staff.”