In 2020, Harlan Foods launched a new initiative called SAFE. SAFE stands for Standards Based, Accountability Driven Food Excellence. SAFE incorporates best practices from a host of different standards such as Six Sigma, ISO-certification, lean manufacturing, SQL, FSMA and other proven practices.
The proprietary SAFE program includes two key components; Food Professional Certification and Center of Excellence Certification. This all encompassing program is designed to ensure that every product and SKU we create is the best possible alternative to meet evolving consumer demand. To ensure that every product and SKU we manufacture is of the highest possible quality; its look, feel and taste. SAFE is also designed to ensure that all of our Food Professionals are properly equipped to feel purpose in what they do as well as work within a safe and inspiring environment.
The COE certification is the culmination of all of these efforts and follows a clear and repeatable methodology Harlan has spent considerable time and energy developing so that the end products we deliver the signature value expected every time.
As the above graphic showcased, each Harlan facility is designated the COE status when 100% of Food Professionals are certified and in good standing. COE certification also requires that each production team, production line and department in the facility has met COE performance thresholds including stringent production metrics, quality and waste standards, reportable incidents per week and customer satisfaction scores.
Harlan Food's mandate is to designate 100% of its facilities with the COE designation and 100% of its employee base with Food Professional Certification. This work is currently underway across the Harlan enterprise. We recognize the size and scope of this initiative. We also recognize its importance to Harlan consistently delivering on our promise of world-class products, breakthrough innovations and exceptional service.
What this means to our customer is that products and the revenue and growth opportunities that come with them developed and manufactured in a COE certified facility have Harlan's Signature Guarantee of meeting the highest possible standards available in the industry today. The net result is a product of quality, value and taste that delights the consumer every single time.
SAFE (Standards-Based, Accountability Driven Food Excellence) is a proprietary methodology developed by Harlan in order to integrate a number of quality and operational excellence initiatives into a single, all-encompassing standards-based process.
Harlan's SAFE process purposely impacts every aspect of the Harlan enterprise. The net result of SAFE is a high performing organizational structure with less friction, greater ability to respond effectively to customer needs, a cohesive culture and a higher level of operational performance.
Every Harlan team member plays an active role in SAFE and makes a formal commitment to helping the organization meet its customer's expectations.
There is a phrase we consistently use at Harlan. "Excellence is doing a common thing an uncommon way." While we manufacture food, we choose to do it in innovative ways. Our innovation can be seen through our SAFE and Food Professional Certification Programs and Center of Excellence Certifications.
Harlan has embraced new ways to approach R&D and product development through the use of data science and advanced manufacturing. Our approach includes leveraging innovative tools such as flavor profile mapping and retail market basket analysis.
Consumer behaviors in off-premise retail is rapidly changing. Digital, touch-less service and BOPIS (Buy Online Pick Up In Store) have become the norm. Dark stores have popped up in order to meet the ever evolving shopping and delivery options. Loyalty programs are no longer a nice to have, they are a retail requirement. Purchasing trends and market basket trends by consumer cohorts do not look the same as they did 3 years ago.
The growth of captive brands, premium category offerings, nutritional purchasing drivers and influence of end caps, in-store digital monitors and even product bundling are impacting how the consumer thinks and shops in grocery. The shift to the importance of drive-thru and artisan products for QSR (Quick Serve Restaurants) and the shift of C-Stores from convenience into a hybrid of QSR and specialty grocery.
Harlan understands that these changes are far reaching and impacts the food we produce, so maintaining a level of subject matter expertise with retail trends allows Harlan to be a more effective manufacturing partner. where other see problems, we see opportunities to grow, learn and improve as a company
We are very excited about what lies ahead for us as a company and the signature value Harlan Foods provide to the marketplace.
