Multipak Awarded BRC/IoP Issue 4 Certification

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Multipak receives BRC/IoP certification and verifies its effectiveness, cleanliness, high and functional technical performance and product quality.

Multipak meets recognized international quality, safety and legal standards for food and non-food packaging products, according to the BRC/IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials certification. This certification helps provide protection to the consumer.

The BRC/IoP certification further verifies that the flexible paper packaging manufacturer adheres to principles from existing quality management systems, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Mohamed Koleilat, Multipak Technical & Quality Manager, states,

“In order to maintain our competitive edge in the European market, Multipak always strives to sustain and upgrade all of its quality standard certifications that will lead us to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction”.
 

Karl Hernmann Klêgel, Lead Auditor from TÜV NORD CERT, Germany, conducted the BRC/IoP audit at Multipak’s Jeddah-based plant on 20 and 21 September 2011. The 2-day audit covered BRC/IoP Issue 4 requirements, product safety, the quality control process, management systems and HACCP. The auditor acknowledged Multipak’s progress and improvement since the last audit.

BRC/IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials - Issue 4 is a revised version of the standard focusing more on quality and functional aspects of packaging which compliment the established requirements of factory hygiene. Although the certification was published in February 2011, audits against BRC/IoP issue 4 commenced in August 2011.[1]

Steps Taken by Multipak to Meet BRC/IOP Issue 4 Standards

Multipak implemented new procedures to enhance product safety and hazard free operation:

Sharp Tools Policy

To ensure a safer and more secure work environment Multipak uses single blade knives that are more secure, rather than using snap-off blades that can break and fall into products or harm employees.

Glass Policy

To avoid a dangerous work environment Multipak has enforced a policy making it mandatory that there be no pieces of glass on the plant floor.

Due to the fact that the BRC/IoP focuses on factory hygiene, Multipak improved worker laundry procedure and put into place instructions, such as ensuring that each factory worker was supplied with 7 numbered shirts to be tracked on a daily basis and ensure personal hygiene among factory workers for a healthier work environment. 


Read about Multipak BRC/IoP Certification 2010:

http://outbound.indevcogroup.com/2010/07/multipak-celebrates-passing-of-brciop.html

BRC/IoP Issue 4 Standards

Source: http://www.brcglobalstandards.com/GlobalStandards/Standards/Packaging.aspx

(Information below has been directly taken from the BRC Global Standards Website)

Changes to the revised standard - issue 4 include:

• Preparation and planning section, providing guidance and support for sites new to the certification process
• New requirements for managing print control
• Additional safeguards to reduce the risk of chemical migration from packaging into food products
• Greater emphasis on managing the functional quality of packaging materials to meet customers specifications
• Introduction of “Fundamental” clauses, relating to systems that are crucial to the establishment and operation of an effective packaging manufacturing operation
• Introduction of a grading scheme based on number and severity of non-conformities
• Audit frequencies and processes for corrective action review based on performance
• Reduction to 2 product categories based on the hygiene risk associated with the final use of the packaging materials

Company Background

Multipak produces ice cream packaging, paper bags, paper sheets, paper cups, and paper tubes. Established in 1997, Multipak supplies flexible paper packaging to ice cream producers, fast food franchises, retail, carpet and textile producers in the Arabian Gulf, Middle East and Africa.

Multipak is a Napco company and member of INDEVCO Flexible Packaging, a division of INDEVCO Group.

References:

[1] http://www.brcglobalstandards.com/GlobalStandards/Standards/Packaging.aspx

Contact Information

Mohamad Kolailat, Technical & Quality Assurance Manager
Multipak Ltd.
Industrial Area Phase #4, Street #405
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box  32826, Jeddah 21438, Saudi Arabia

Tel: +966-2-608-0704 Ext: 6560
Fax: +966-2-608-1063
E-mail: mohamad.kolailat[at]napcogroup.com

Web: www.napcomultipak.com

FAO & UNIDO Visit Lebanese Packaging Plants

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Masterpak and Unipak welcomed the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) seminar attendees to take plant tours and learn more about packaging manufacturing processes.

FAO and UNIDO organized a 3-day seminar on the agricultural and processed food industries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on 18 November 2011. Attendees visited a number of manufacturing plants in Lebanon, including Unipak corrugated packaging plant in Halat, Lebanon and Masterpak flexible packaging plant in Zouk Mosbeh.

Unipak Halat-Based Plant Visit

Marwan Diab, Unipak General Manager, introduced INDEVCO Group operations worldwide including INDEVCO Paper Containers division and its corrugated packaging manufacturing companies: Unipak in Lebanon, Unipak Nile in Egypt, and Easternpak in Saudi Arabia.

After his presentation,  Diab held a question and answer session followed by a tour of the plant guided by Hady Darwish, Unipak Plant Manager, and Henry Richa, Unipak Administrative Manager. 

Robert Abou Gebrael, Unipak Creative Packaging & Export Sales Manager, and Nazha El Habr, Unipak Management Systems Representative, also attended the event.  

For the food industry Unipak manufactures:

• Shelf ready packaging (SRP)
• Promotional boxes 
• Point-of-purchase (POP) displays
• Frozen food boxes
• Corrugated base wrap
• Corrugated boxes 

For the agricultural sector Unipak produces:

• Bulk bins
• Edge protectors
• Open-top corrugated trays
• Top and bottom boxes 

Masterpak Zouk Mosbeh-Based Plant Visit

At Masterpak, visitors learned more about INDEVCO Group and Masterpak through presentations from Nicole Jabre from the INDEVCO Online Communications Unit and Amal Merhi, Masterpak Marketing Manager.

Visitors also toured the plant, guided by Elie Chehwen, Masterpak Printing Section Head, and Mario Nasr, Masterpak Extrusion Section Head, and received information-rich brochures about Masterpak products.

Masterpak manufactures agricultural and horticultural PE films:

• Compost and forage bags
• Grapevine cover film
• Greenhouse plastic
• Ground cover film
• Hydroponic gully film
• Low tunnel film
• Mulch film 
• Protective bags for banana cultivation
• Silage cover
• Soil disinfection film
• Water membrane 

The PE film manufacturer produces for the food sector:

• Processed food packaging films
• Power pre-stretch film
• Shrink wrap film
• Stretch film – machine
• Stretch film - manual

Unipak and Masterpak are members of the multinational INDEVCO Group.

Lebanese Minister of Industry Visits Masterpak & Sanita Zouk Plants

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Masterpak and Sanita welcomed the Lebanese Minister of Industry, Vreij Sabounjian, for a tour of the manufacturing plants in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon.

On 16 November 2011, Lebanese Minister of Industry, Vreij Sabounjian, toured Masterpak and Sanita plants joined by Neemat Frem, INDEVCO Group President & CEO and President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) next to industrialists from Keserwan. The minister set out on an industrial day visiting manufacturing plants of aluminum, printing, packing, plastic, paper, textile, detergent, and other plants in Keserwan, Lebanon across Zouk Mosbeh, Ghazir, and Safra.

Located in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon, Masterpak, polyethylene (PE) film manufacturer, and Sanita, consumer disposables manufacturer, are sister companies and members of INDEVCO Group, the multinational Lebanese manufacturing group.

Masterpak Plant Visit

Accompanied by Wissam Moubarak, Masterpak Area General Manager, Frem commenced the tour at Masterpak plant by briefly presenting to the minister the seven core values and cornerstones of INDEVCO Group: family spirit, entrepreneurial drive, hard work, honesty, precision, modesty, and servant leadership. He further addressed how each value affects everyday life at INDEVCO Group and its member companies.

The tour continued with a gathering in Masterpak conference room, where Frem presented the INDEVCO book, ‘Echoes of a Nation’ to the minister.

Wissam Moubarak, Masterpak Area General Manager, explained,

“He (Neemat Frem) emphasized the role INDEVCO played during the Lebanese civil war through its communication program. INDEVCO spread the late founder’s (Georges N. Frem’s) belief in enhancing faith in Lebanon, as well as diffused messages of hope calling for resistance against challenges and difficult times.”

Furthermore, Moubarak presented Masterpak core business activities and emphasized the PE film manufacturer’s export strength, where consolidated export sales with sister company Micro Epsilon, masterbatches and additives manufacturer, reach anywhere between 65% and 70% of total turnover.

Moubarak and the minister discussed challenges Masterpak and other companies in the sector face and support needed. Moubarak emphasized on the high energy costs in the manufacturing sector, specifically the plastic film converting sector, rendering conversion costs extremely high. He also focused on the importance of exempting companies from income taxes on export activities and the reduction of port fees, in addition to any other initiative that would support export sales.

A plant tour then took place where the minister had the chance to view first hand overall operations at the plant, including the CEDEX Plastics set-up. CEDEX Plastics, co-extruded polyethylene film manufacturer, is a joint venture between Exopack, flexible packaging group headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and INDEVCO.

Sanita Plant Visit

Elias Esta, Sanita Vice President, Youssef Fakieh, Sanita Zouk Plant Manager, and Dounia Aoun, Sanita Quality Assurance Representative, welcomed minister Sabounjian and Frem at Sanita plant in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. At the reception the minister viewed a display of all Sanita products and discussed plant production and quantities produced of baby and adult diapers, as well as feminine hygiene disposables.

Minister Sabounjian, Frem, Sanita representatives, the press and visitors toured the plant and viewed Sanita baby diaper and adult diaper, as well as feminine hygiene disposables manufacturing machines. Additionally, they visited the workshop area, where Sanita encourages physically challenged people to work and feel independent and empowered.

Finally, they visited Sanita’s quality control laboratory, where raw materials and finished goods all undergo testing and inspections before they reach the market to ensure high quality products.

Masterpak and Sanita are member companies of the multinational INDEVCO Group.

Unipak Nile Manufactures 8-Color Wraparound Cartons Using 6-Color Pre-Print Technology

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Unipak Nile and its vertically-integrated sister companies deliver ‘smart-graphics’ water packaging for Nestlé Pure Life in Egypt.

Packaging is a crucial element of the Nestlé Waters-Warner Bros. Consumer Products joint campaign to encourage children worldwide to be physically active, healthy and hydrated.

Egyptian manufacturer, Unipak Nile, cooperated with sister companies, Easternpak and Unipak, to print vivid, eye-catching Looney Tunes cartoon characters on corrugated wrap-around boxes for Nestlé Pure Life 0.33L water bottles.

Nader Tahtouh, Unipak Nile Business Development Executive, states:

“The Nestlé Waters Looney Tunes wrap around carton was released in the Egyptian market and schools and had an excellent impact. The separation of colors, high pre-print quality, and final finishing of the box contributed to this success.

This is a real example of the added value a customer can obtain by using a smart graphic design.”

Unipak Nile worked closely with Nestlé Waters and leveraged on the expertise of its sister companies to find the best combination of design, printing, finishing and capabilities to come up with the appropriate packaging solution.

Nestlé Waters & Warner Bros. Consumer Products Partnership

In June 2011, Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) renewed its partnership with Nestlé Waters to continue the joint campaign featuring Looney Tunes on Nestlé's water bottles. The extended partnership allowed new geographic expansions including the Middle East, Africa and Asia and added  Nestlé Pure Life, Nestlé Véra and Nestlé Aquarel's brands to the project.[1]

Vertically Integrated Corrugated Manufacturing

Unipak Repro Center of Halat, Lebanon produced the digital flexographic printing plates for Easternpak pre-print operations. Easternpak manufactures pre-print paper rolls in up to 6 colors and converts corrugated packaging in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Unipak Nile then converted the pre-print paper rolls into wrap around cartons.

DuPont awarded Easternpak’s pre-print quality and Unipak Repro Center’s photopolymer plates for excellence in flexography in the ‘Corrugated Pre-Print E Flute & Finer’ category.

Benefits of Corrugated Wrap Around Cartons

Corrugated wrap arounds reduce paperboard costs, increase efficiency and enhance product display. Wrap around boxes are ideal for high-speed automated packing lines and are primarily used to pack beverage bottles, cans and multipacks.

About Unipak Nile

Established in 1996, Unipak Nile manufactures shelf ready packaging,  promotional boxes, point-of-purchase (POP) displays,  bag-in-box (BIB) cartons, corrugated base wrap, corrugated boxes, and corrugated trays for the beverage sector.

The corrugated packaging manufacturer also serves the agricultural, catering, chemical and petrochemical, dairy, food, hygiene disposables, industrial, paramedical, soap and detergent sectors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Unipak Nile is ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and HACCP certified.

Unipak Nile, Easternpak and Unipak are members of INDEVCO Paper Containers, a division on the multinational INDEVCO Group.

References:

[1] http://wbcplima.com/2011releases/wbcp_looney_tunes_nestle_renewal.html 

For More Information

Nader Tahtouh
Business Development Executive
Unipak Nile
6th of October City, 5th Industrial Zone
Area 49 - Street # 2 - Giza - Egypt
P.O. Box: 46

Tel: +(20)(2)38164041/2/3/4/5/7 　Ext.　2404
Fax: +(20)(2)38164049
Web: www.unipaknile.com 
E-mail: nader.tahtouh[at]unipaknile.com

Photoblog: Phoenix Energy at Mechanical Week 2011 in Lebanon

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Phoenix Energy representatives met with attendees at the 11th Mechanical Week 2011 in Beit Al-Mouhandes (Syndicate of Engineers), in Bir Hassan, Mar Elias in Beirut, Lebanon. The supplier of renewable energy products exhibited Solior solar water heaters and biomass boilers at the annual exhibition which took place from 15 – 17 November 2011.

Phoenix Energy representatives included Fadi El Chiti, Marketing and Sales Manager, Rony Bassila, Sales Representative, and Alain Aoun, Mechanical Project Engineer.

Neemat Frem, INDEVCO Group President & CEO and President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), was present and spoke at the opening session of Mechanical Week 2011.

 Phoenix Energy Solior solar water heater

displayed at booth

(L-R) Phoenix Energy representatives: Fadi El Chiti, Marketing &

Sales Manager, Rony Bassila, Sales Representative,

 and Alain Aoun, Mechanical Project Engineer

 Visitors viewing the Solior solar water heater

displayed at Phoenix Energy booth

Rony Bassila discussing with booth visitor 

About Phoenix Energy

Phoenix Energy, located in Safra, Lebanon, supplies renewable energy products, such as solar water heaters, biomass boilers, wind turbine systems and solar outdoor lights. In addition, it provides resource assessment services and turnkey commercial projects to recycle and transform waste into electricity using waste to energy systems.

Phoenix Energy is a member of Phoenix Group of Companies and a member of the multinational INDEVCO Group.

For More Information


Rony Bassila
Sales Representative
Phoenix Energy
Safra, Lebanon
PO Box 11-2354
Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-855-690
Fax: +961-9-855-696
E-mail: rony.bassila@phoenixlb.com
Web: http://energy.phoenixlb.com/



INDEVCO Group Wishes Lebanon a Happy Independence Day 2011!

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INDEVCO Group Headquarters prepares for Lebanese Independence Day 2011, 22 November 2011. Decorated in red, white and green, Lebanese flags cover the INDEVCO buldings in Ajaltoun, Lebanon.

INDEVCO Group wishes Lebanon

a Happy 68th Independence Day 2011!

Member company, Sanita, consumer disposables manufacturer in Halat Lebanon, has re-launched its 'Shouf 7alak bi Lebnan' TV advertisement to promote Lebanese nationalism. Watch and share the 'Shouf 7alak bi Lebnan' video.

About INDEVCO Group

INDEVCO, international manufacturing group headquartered in Lebanon, produces paper and plastic flexible packaging, corrugated containers and displays, and consumer tissue and institutional disposables.

INDEVCO is the managing partner of Napco, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Napco, a leading Middle Eastern group of manufacturing companies, employs over 3000 employees.

The group employs over 8500 people in Cyprus, Egypt, England, France, Greece, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Sudan, Ukraine, and the United States.

مشروع تطبيق مواصفة المسؤولية المجتمعية وتهنئة ليونيباك

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وكالات - مواقع إخبارية - الجمعة 18 تشرين الثاني 2011

اختتم وزير الصناعة فريج صابونجيان في فندق "متروبوليتان" المرحلة الاولى من مشروع تطبيق المواصفة القياسية الدولية الخاصة بالمسؤولية المجتمعية "ISO 26000" في عدد من المؤسسات اللبنانية.

وشارك في الاحتفال وزير الطاقة والمياه المهندس جبران باسيل ممثلا ببيار خوري، المدير العام للامن العام اللواء عباس ابراهيم ممثلا بالعميد فؤاد خوري، رئيس مجلس ادارة مؤسسة المقاييس والمواصفات اللبنانية "ليبنور" حبيب غزيري، نائب رئيس جمعية الصناعيين اللبنانيين زياد بكداش ممثلا رئيس الجمعية نعمة افرام، المدير العام لمعهد البحوث الصناعية بسام الفرن، المدير العام لمؤسسة "ليبنور" لينا درغام الى حشد من الخبراء والصناعيين وممثلين عن المؤسسات المعنية.

بعد النشيد الوطني، أوضح حبيب غزيري "اننا نجتمع اليوم لاستعراض هذه التجربة الرائدة في لبنان ودول المنطقة وتقييم نتائجها، على امل تطويرها في اطار المرحلة الثانية التي يفترض ان تنطلق بداية العام 2012 بعد تأمين التمويل اللازم من الوكالة السويدية للتنمية الدولية والتي سيتم خلالها تدريب عدد اكبر من الخبراء وتقديم المساعدة التقنية لعدد اكبر من المؤسسات اللبنانية". ورأى ان "نجاح المؤسسات لم يعد يقاس فقط بمردودها المالي والاقتصادي، فقد اصبحت مساهمة المؤسسات في التنمية المستدامة عنصرا اساسيا في قياس نجاحها وتقييم ادائها".

والقى بكداش كلمة رئيس جمعية الصناعيين، فقال: "ان التنمية مسؤولية كبيرة وتبدأ في موقع العمل وتمتد الى محيطه القريب لتصل الى المجتمع كافة. والتنمية المسؤولة تفترض اعتماد منهجية جديدة لجعل البيت العامل موطنا للصداقة والمحبة والعناية في سبيل تفعيل الانتاج وجعله اكثر تناغما وقدرة وتميزا".

واعتبر ان "تقييم الاعمال كما المجتمعات، يرتبط مباشرة بالسلوكيات المعتمدة ليس فقط في بيئة العمل، بل ايضا في تحسين البيئة المحيطة بالعمل. فالمسؤولية المجتمعية فعل ايمان بالانسان اللبناني وبكرامته، جسدته العديد من مؤسساتنا الوطنية الخاصة، لا سيما في قطاع الصناعة منذ عقود".

وقال الوزير فريج صابونجيان: "يسعدني رعاية الاحتفال الذي تقيمه مؤسسة المقاييس والمواصفات اللبنانية "ليبنور" لمناسبة اختتام المرحلة الأولى من المشروع الذي أطلقته أيضا برعايتنا قبل أربعة أشهر بالتعاون مع المنظمة الدولية للتقييس "ISO"، وسررنا بنجاح الخطوة الأولى من هذا المشروع"، مهنئا "شركة "UNIPAK" وثانوية الكوثر على مشاركتهما في هذا المشروع، وكونهما المؤسستين السباقتين في لبنان على صعيد إعداد البرنامج التفصيلي تمهيدا للمباشرة في تطبيق مواصفة المسؤولية المجتمعية. وهي مواصفة دولية جديدة ضرورية للتنمية المستدامة".

وذكر بأن "هذه المواصفة فائقة الأهمية، لأنها تركز على الشراكة الإجتماعية بين أرباب العمل والعاملين داخل المؤسسات. كما أنها تحدد الوصايا التي يجب الإنضباط تحت سقفها، ليستقيم العمل وفق قواعد أخلاقية ومهنية عالية تقوم على الإحترام والإلتزام وتطوير الأداء من الجانبين، فتتكامل العلاقة ويصبح جو المؤسسة شبيها بالبيئة العائلية الموحدة والمتماسكة".

ورأى ان "الدور الإجتماعي الذي يؤديه صاحب العمل تجاه العاملين معه والبيئة التي يتواجد فيها يعتبر إستثمارا بحد ذاته. فهو يزيل بذلك بعض الأعباء التي تضغط على كاهل العاملين، فيبادلونه الإلتزام وتطوير الأداء والفاعلية، ويتكون فخر الإنتماء إلى هذه المؤسسة ويتولد نوع من الثقة والولاء، مما يحقق مزيدا من الإنتاجية والربحية ويقلل الخلافات الداخلية، وتنعكس هذه البيئة على تحسين العلاقة بين مؤسسات القطاع العام والخاص، فتتوحد المفاهيم المسلكية وتلتقي على مسار بناء مجتمع متحضر ومتفاعل مع سائر المجتمعات المتقدمة التي تنعم بالرفاهية والرقي والإزدهار".

اضاف: "كما أن علاقة المؤسسات الجيدة بالمجتمع مهمة جدا، إذ من الضروري أن يكون المجتمع حاضنا لهذه المؤسسات وداعما لها. فلنحرص إذا على بناء الإنسان في لبنان ورعايته وتعليمه وتثقيفه. لأنه يشكل غنى لبنان ومصدر قيمته الحضارية"، مجددا "التهنئة ليونيباك من مجموعة اندفكو الصناعية وثانوية الكوثر على تعبيدهما الطريق أمام سائر المؤسسات اللبنانية لتبني مفهوم المسؤولية المجتمعية، على أمل أن تحتضن المرحلة الثانية عددا أكبر من المؤسسات".

ثم وزع صابونجيان على ممثلي شركة "يونيباك" وثانوية الكوثر شهادات لتطبيقهما مفاهيم هذه المواصفة.