Gourmet's Choice open up revenue streams by achieving Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) accreditation.

The challenge

SMAS's help has proved essential, as year-on-year growth of 10% brought new challenges. 

To improve the efficiency of the business the development of a key performance indicator (KPI) dashboard was essential. The review and development of a manufacturing strategy was important to the business's continued expansion. 

And in view of the company's growth plans, it was important to redefine the roles and responsibilities of the managing director and senior management team.

Henry was immediately impressed by the SMAS practitioners: "They possessed a high level of industry knowledge and could source any specialist help that we required."

The company

Since 1908, the family-owned company has been selling the finest smoked fish, originally just to local buyers but nowadays Gourmet's Choice distributes smoked salmon to international markets, with half of all products exported to the Middle East and Europe.

How SMAS helped

Practitioners came in for a 10-day "intervention" and worked with managing director Maurice Sutherland - the fourth generation of the Sutherland family to run the company.

SMAS immediately assisted Gourmet's Choice with what Henry described as: "very comprehensive technical support and mentoring for business improvement and SALSA accreditation."

He continued: "SMAS really went the extra mile. They put is in touch with the right support and went a long way beyond their contract to ensure that we were ready for the SALSA audit." 

Key outcomes

Now fully SALSA-certified, Gourmet's Choice has the credence to approach established regional, national and international buyers. This has opened up lucrative revenue streams for the company, and brought new customers on board.

Other changes around the Portsoy base have been equally positive. "They (SMAS) challenged our working practices to improve understanding and cooperation between production staff, office staff and the end customer," Henry explained.

"They also helped to make changes which ensure that product quality is constantly challenged by regular benchmarking against competitors."

Henry added: "Overall, business performance has improved after SMAS measures were put in place to more effectively manage factory processes.

"We're also benefiting from ongoing support from an organisation that knows and understands our business and the needs of the senior management team. This has led to integrated support and co-ordination between SMAS, SE and SDI in respect of both our local and international markets.

Moreover, the greater synergy between Gourmet's Choice and these organisations is a continued benefit: "We now have the confidence to turn to each of these organisations. They have shown strong support for our business, our products and our customers." 

So would he recommend SMAS to other businesses?

Without hesitation.

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