Stanfilco, MD Agriventures cited for business practices

Stanfilco (a division of Dole Phils.) and MD (Marsman Drysdale) Agriventures, two top companies, demonstrated anew their commitment to quality, with the former achieving Social Accountability 8000, and the latter receiving SQF (Safe Quality Food) 2000 cm certification.

Stanfilco was audited in October and December 2000 and its unique achievement demonstrates the company’s commitment to managing its business in a manner which respects and promotes the basic human rights of all workers.

The company’s scope of certification in their Davao plant covers growing and packaging of fresh bananas in Maragusan (Dole Valley) site, and HR, finance, engineering, information services, operations planing, research, material management and quality systems in Belisario site.

SGS provided audit and certification services to Stanfilco which has a leading edge in both global trade and social consciousness. Congratulating Stanfilco for its achievement, David G. Horlock, SGS Phils. president and general manager, remarked, "Stanfilco has certainly done its stakeholders proud and SGS is very honored to be associated with you."

SA 8000 is an international standard developed to promote socially-responsible business by encouraging practices reflecting the values of society. It sets out expectations regarding health and safety, child labor, forced labor, freedom of association, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and compensation together with the management systems to deliver them.

SQF 2000 cm is a world class HACCP-based food safety and quality system designed for the agri-food industry, and compatible with ISO 9000.

MD (Marsman Drysdale) Agriventures’ goal is to strengthen its bid towards globalization. To the company, one way to achieve this is through certification to SQF 2000 cm. The company’s scope of certification covers production and packing of fresh green asparagus at their Polomolok, South Cotabato plant. Prior to this, the company’s quality system was certified to ISO 9002 in October 1999.

In its recent awarding ceremony, Horlock, acknowledged the hardwork and dedication of the company’s management, employees and farmers from the local community. He commended MD Agriventures’ quality manager and his HACCP team on their total commitment to food quality and safety. "By being he first SQF 2000 cm certified company in the Philippines, you have demonstrated that you are an industry leader and a company to be trusted. This will send a very strong signal to world markets that the Philippines can do it, is doing it and it is ready for globalization," Horlock said.

The SQF certificate means that people in the Philippines and around the world will know that MD Agriventures is a company dedicated to quality and a company that they can trust.