A flexible packaging plant in Auburn, Wash., operated by ProAmpac has some new bona fides to show off.
The facility has been awarded Level 2 Food Safety Management Certification by the Safe Quality Food Institute, the company said.
The Auburn site becomes the 14th ProAmpac site to receive food-quality certification and the eighth to gain SQF Level 2.
"The SQF certification for Auburn now offers our West Coast customers a regional fulfillment option," said Tom Geyer, president of ProAmpac's US Flexibles Division, in a statement. "Work is currently underway to certify additional facilities to meet the growing demands of our food customers in North America."
ProAmpac said it will continue to seek SQF certifications at its locations throughout the rest of this year.
There are three levels of certification for the SQF standard, the SQF Institute notes on its website. Level 1 is mainly for low risk products and it incorporates fundamental food safety controls. Level 2 is a certified HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) food safety plan that is benchmarked by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). Level 3 is a comprehensive implementation of safety and quality management systems that incorporates Level 2.
"In many cases, a supplier's customer has already designated a minimum level of certification," the SQF Institute noted.
The Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by PPC Partners, which is led by Tony Pritzker and former investment and operating professionals of Pritzker Group Private Capital.
Investment firm Pritzker Group Private Capital formed PPC Partners in early 2018 "as its exclusive acquirer of middle-market companies," according to its website.
PPC Partners also involves investors outside of the Pritzker family, including "other long-term focused family and institutional investors," the firm said.
"We are constantly demonstrating our commitment to SQF certification. ProAmpac strives to exceed the growing number of requirements to ensure food safety," said Rob Manning, vice president of quality, in a statement.
The Pritzker family includes Tony's brother J.B. Pritzker, who is currently running for governor of Illinois. The family rose to prominence as owners of the Hyatt Hotels.