Digital traceability improves meat processing operations

Application area: Meat processing, inventory management, digital traceability, order fulfillment
Industry sector: Food processing and meat supply

Fairway Packing Co. is a custom meat purveyor serving chefs, restaurants, hotels, country clubs, stadiums and other customers. Before the digital transformation, receiving, order fulfillment, inventory tracking, returns and other operational activities were largely managed through handwritten records and manual data entry.

The company wanted better visibility of inventory and product locations while reducing the amount of physical movement and manual communication required to complete orders.

“As the next generation, we wanted to transform the business into one that could compete everyday with the biggest and best,” said Emmet Baratta, CEO of Fairway Packing Co.

Digital traceability across the facility
In mid-2024, Fairway Packing Co. implemented AXIN Solutions from JBT Marel Software at its new Michigan facility. The system was deployed across receiving, inventory management, end-of-line operations, dispatch, packing and labeling, providing digital data collection throughout the factory.

The implementation allows products to be tracked from receiving through dispatch, while operators, managers and sales teams can access information about product locations, inventory levels and order status.

Digital records also allow staff to search for batches and lot items more efficiently. This supports reporting for audits and USDA food safety requirements, including HACCP and SQF, while providing a more direct process for recalls and order verification.

Reducing manual communication
The previous paper-based system required employees to physically check inventory, locate products and communicate production information. This became particularly inefficient across the company's large facility.

Tony Sieracki, Plant Manager at Fairway Packing Co., explained that employees could previously walk hundreds of steps simply to communicate information about an order. Manual and verbal communication also created opportunities for information to be missed or incorrectly transferred.

The digital system centralizes operational information, reducing the need for repeated physical checks and allowing information to be shared across the facility.

Improving inventory control
Inventory visibility was a key reason for the implementation. Fairway Packing Co. handles high-value meat inventory stored in coolers and wanted accurate information about product location and availability without relying on manual inspections.

The digital inventory system provides detailed information on stock and product flow, helping the company monitor inventory and provide customers with greater transparency.

“For our business, we need to be able to know where our inventory is at all times,” said Baratta.

Supporting customer-specific production
Fairway Packing Co. operates a customized production model in which products are processed according to individual customer and chef specifications. This creates additional complexity compared with standardized, high-volume production.

The company therefore required a system that could accommodate variations in products and production runs while maintaining consistent operational control.

AXIN Solutions provides visibility into inventory, production, order status and labeling, allowing data to be captured and shared throughout the operation. According to Fairway Packing Co., this supports smaller production runs, reduces errors and allows the company to respond to customer-specific requirements while maintaining consistency and quality.

Implementation alongside a new facility
The software implementation took place during the company's move to a new production facility, creating a combined operational and technology transition.

Fairway Packing Co. worked with the JBT Marel Software team during installation and implementation to refine workflows, configure the system and introduce new processes. The company also continued adapting the system as employees became familiar with its functions.

“We’re working with the JBT Marel Software team to change some processes and implement new processes, configuring the system to work for us and learning new features,” said Amanda Ferrin, CFO of Fairway Packing Co.

Greater visibility for operational decisions
Fairway Packing Co. reports that the digital system has improved visibility across its operations and reduced the reliance on manual processes. The company also uses the resulting operational data to support business decisions, identify trends, improve efficiency and reduce waste.

The case demonstrates how digital traceability and inventory management can support a customized meat processing operation where product specifications, inventory control and order accuracy are closely connected.

“Looking back, it’s difficult to imagine operating without the visibility, control and confidence that these systems provide today,” said Baratta.

Edited by Sucithra Mani, editora de Induportals – adaptado por IA.

www.jbtmarel.com