Introduction
A Fresh Approach to Food Safety
When FE Ingredients, based in Toronto, Canada, faced an urgent food safety audit, they turned to GraniteWMS for a rapid digital transformation. As a trusted distributor of premium baking ingredients serving bakeries and food manufacturers across Ontario, FE Ingredients has built a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and exceptional service. In January, with a critical audit scheduled for February, they urgently needed to modernize their entirely paper-based warehouse operations to meet stringent food safety certification requirements.
The Client
FE Ingredients is a leading distributor of high-quality baking ingredients, trusted by bakeries and food manufacturers throughout Ontario. With a strong focus on delivering premium products backed by reliable service, FE Ingredients relies on effective warehouse operations to maintain its reputation and meet customer expectations.
The Challenge
Facing a tight deadline, CEO Dave Iacobelli and CFO & IT lead Jay Capaldi recognized the immediate need for a robust digital solution. Warehouse managers Rado and Michael fully embraced the project, understanding that a quick shift from manual processes to a digital system was critical to meet food safety standards.
Key requirements for the new system included:
• Real-time inventory tracking
• Accurate batch and lot traceability
• Comprehensive audit reporting
• Fast and efficient implementation
The Solution
GraniteWMS was selected for its proven success in food distribution, its user-friendly design, and its ability to be rapidly deployed. Within just four weeks, GraniteWMS transformed FE Ingredients’ warehouse from a paper-based environment to a fully digital, barcode-driven operation.
GraniteWMS delivered:
Real-Time Inventory Management: Immediate visibility of inventory status, stock locations, and batch numbers ensured full traceability and compliance.
Simplified Compliance Reporting: Automated documentation and comprehensive reporting made audit preparation simple and effective.
Easy Adoption and Flexibility: A user-friendly interface allowed for quick adoption by warehouse staff, minimizing disruption while ensuring integration with existing workflows and ERP systems. Throughout the process, GraniteWMS worked closely with FE Ingredients, providing hands-on support tailored to their specific needs.
The Outcome
Thanks to GraniteWMS, FE Ingredients passed their February food safety audit with an impressive score of 85% — the only deductions related to items handled before the WMS was implemented.
Key benefits included:
• Immediate Compliance: Successfully passed a critical audit just weeks after implementation.
• Increased Efficiency: Eliminated manual errors, significantly reduced inventory discrepancies, and improved order fulfillment accuracy.
• Enhanced Traceability: Real-time batch and lot tracking simplified recalls, reduced waste, and strengthened food safety practices.
Conclusion
GraniteWMS enabled FE Ingredients to rapidly achieve compliance and position itself for future growth. With a robust digital warehouse management system now in place, FE Ingredients is prepared to expand operations confidently and meet growing market demands with improved efficiency and agility. During a follow-up visit, the GraniteWMS team identified additional functionality to further enhance operations, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing support and continuous improvement. GraniteWMS continues to support FE Ingredients’ mission to deliver premium baking ingredients reliably and safely to customers across Ontario.
Contact GraniteWMS:
info@granitewms.com
www.granitewms.com