Case Study

Smurfit- MBI and Orkin: Creating the "Total Package"

7/7/2006

Smurfit-MBI is Canada’s leading producer of corrugated packaging, and takes pride in offering food manufacturers and grocers the highest quality of food protection in their packaging products.  To assure customers of the cleanliness and safety of their packaging, Smurfit-MBI is certified by the American Institute of Baking (AIB).

Pests and Packaging: An Unhealthy Combination

Corrugated board attracts a variety of pests that feed off the glue that holds it together, and Smurfit-MBI requires a vigilant program that prevents pests while maintaining the safety and integrity of their products for use in the food industry.

In 1995, Smurfit-MBI’s 16,000 square-meter plant in New Westminster, British Columbia, turned to Orkin Canada (formerly PCO Services) for such a program.  Smurfit-MBI chose Orkin’s Gold Medal Protection, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program specifically designed to meet the AIB’s strict regulatory requirements.

Working Together to Meet the Challenge

To maintain AIB certification, Smurfit-MBI facilities undergo rigorous annual AIB audits.  Since pest control accounts for 200 out of the total 1,000 points in an AIB audit, it is essential that thefacility employs an effective pest management program.

To facilitate the success of the New Westminster plant’s program, Smurfit-MBI’s Quality Facilitator Ross Powell meets weekly with Shawn McDonald, his Orkin technician, to monitor the facility for any pest activity or potential pest threats. 

“Our pest control program is so successful because we can work very closely with Orkin,” says Powell.  “When Shawn is making his rounds, I rely on him for suggestions on anything from pest control to employee safety.  It is this communication and cooperation that is beneficial to both companies.”

Open communication between Smurfit-MBI and Orkin also allows for immediate evaluation of pest threats and quick action to eliminate the problem.

“Smurfit-MBI never shies away from listening to our recommendations and implementing them,” said Bola Fagbamiye, who served
as branch manager of Orkin’s Valley branch before taking over management of Orkin’s Ottawa branch in mid-2005.  “They know Orkin has a good understanding of their audit requirements, so they respond quickly to our pest control recommendations.  That responsiveness is helping them pass their audits with flying colors.”

Award-Winning Results

As a result of the successful partnership between Smurfit-MBI and Orkin, the New Westminster plant has achieved perfect pest control scores on their most recent AIB audit (200 points out of 200) and internal audit (100 points out of 100).  To honor Smurfit-MBI’s commitment to IPM, Orkin and The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. are proud to present the New Westminster plant with a 2005 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award.