The added value of independence

At a time when the food industry is constantly evolving and producers are facing increasingly complex challenges, ONDRAF/NIRAS plays an important role as a leading and independent engineering agency. With expertise in engineering and project management, ONDRAF/NIRAS provides essential support to food producers, enabling them in turn to excel in a competitive market.

Erik Snijders, Senior Project Manager at ONDRAF/NIRAS Netherlands and also team leader of the Packaging Engineering department, and Winfried van Klooster, Senior Engineer Packaging, talk more about the field of packaging engineering, clients within the food industry and their take on the services they offer with ONDRAF/NIRAS. 

Packaging Engineering

A particular expertise within food production is packaging engineering. This discipline is often seen as a logical consequence of the production process and therefore receives less attention in many cases. ONDRAF/NIRAS likes to emphasize precisely this expertise as an important link in the successful packaging of various types of food and beverages. "Often manufacturers put a lot of time and energy into the development and packaging of the product itself, but less thought is given to how to actually get the product into the conscious packaging," says Van Klooster and adds: "Smart choices regarding packaging machines, conveyors, palletizers, and so on can certainly make a difference in the big production picture." Both professionals from ONDRAF/NIRAS additionally highlight that intralogistic movements also fall within their expertise. The efficient supply of raw and packaging materials, storage of finished products and a suitable warehouse layout that supports further distribution are essential for a smooth flow of products.

"Manufacturers are increasingly realizing that packaging can be distinctive.

With this, packaging machinery or plants are also no longer seen merely as the final piece of a budget. And while packaging machine suppliers can also offer comprehensive engineering today, it is important to note that this often does not realize the full potential of the solutions available in the market or meet the actual need. By working with an independent partner like ONDRAF/NIRAS, manufacturers can benefit from an objective assessment of all available options and the latest technologies and thus select the most appropriate solution that best suits their specific needs and objectives," Snijders said.

Further explanation from Snijders indicates that the idea of having a single point of contact is initially seen as uncluttered and clear, so it is also frequently seen as the most suitable option for the client's project manager. "However, it also means that the client will be tied to this single supplier in the future. This is not necessarily a negative, but it can result in reduced flexibility for producers and their changes in the future. Therefore, it is important to carefully weigh how oversight relates to the need for independence, flexibility and diversity in a company's long-term strategy."

Independent party

So one of ONDRAF/NIRAS' core principles is that independence. Unlike suppliers focused on service regarding their own specific products, ONDRAF/NIRAS acts as an objective engineering party separate from commercial interests. This enables the company to offer the most appropriate solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. In addition, sustainability, including energy consumption, as well as hygienic design are woven into the company's DNA. Additionally, "Project Excellence" is a pillar. By this, ONDRAF/NIRAS refers to its proven project approach using the Stage Gate Method, a phased and structured project methodology where each new 'Stage' has a go or no-go moment, and the view to consider a client's plant as if it were its own facility. 

Preconditions and specifications

Another essential part of the service is the focus on clear specifications and requirements. By thoroughly documenting these aspects in the early stages of a project, ONDRAF/NIRAS helps prevent potential complications and delays in later phases. This not only results in more efficient project execution, but also leads to significant cost savings. These savings can be immediately visible in the project budget, but can also manifest themselves later as lower operational costs for producers. Snijders elaborates, "If there are ambiguities or inconsistencies, we take the lead in addressing them. Our expertise allows us to oversee the impact of changes on end products, budget and schedule, allowing us to provide valuable insights to our clients."

Establishing specifications and requirements early results in clear guidelines, protocols and procedures and enables the project team involved to identify potential bottlenecks and risks before they can occur. This approach ensures that producers are better prepared for potential challenges and choices to be made during the project, thus increasing the likelihood of successful project delivery. The project documents are thus a valuable reference point throughout the project, but continue to be so afterwards. Indeed, evaluation and subsequent optimization, when recorded correctly, can be carried out from a good foundation. 

Clients carry the knowledge

"What we think is important is talking to the right people to find out the specifications, preconditions and other requirements. By the right people, we mean those people within production who can properly name the processes, use of materials, bottlenecks and so on," says Van Klooster. ONDRAF/NIRAS organizes the process to collect all the necessary information efficiently and effectively. This means that this important step is taken even before purchase orders are issued to suppliers. One of the methodologies used for this purpose is Value Stream Mapping. During such a VSM session, the flow of materials, raw materials and data of a process is mapped. It is a powerful tool to identify process improvements and test the information you think you already have about the process.

Snijders adds: "ONDRAF/NIRAS likes to take a proactive approach in involving relevant stakeholders within the production processes. Preferably as early in the project as possible and sometimes even specifically per project phase. By working directly with those responsible for processes, manual operations and other crucial aspects of production, a project team can gather and sum up valuable insights. This leads to more informed decisions. In addition, this contributes to smooth project progress and support, with all stakeholders aligned and clarity on expectations and requirements."

Digital solutions and practice

Although digitization is playing an increasing role in the industry and ONDRAF/NIRAS is fully responding to this, the engineering party continues to emphasize the importance of physical presence at production sites. It enables engineers and project managers to understand the complexity of the real environment and thus come up with even better solutions for clients. "Walking around the plant ourselves is added value in our opinion," Van Klooster explains. 'Our projects are obviously partly carried out from our offices in Rosmalen, Apeldoorn or Sneek, but it is also important to see processes, spaces, operations, materials and so on in real life. Especially with modifications to long-established processes and production lines, seeing in practice is often the best starting point."

This approach demonstrates the importance of direct observation and hands-on experience in understanding the unique challenges and requirements of each production site. By regularly attending production sites in person, ONDRAF/NIRAS experts are able to fully understand the contextual nuances and operational complexities. However, this does not imply that digital solutions are not equally important, especially in the area of packaging engineering. Digital tools for various aspects such as digital design, maintenance, master planning, operational management, logistics and supply chain optimization are evolving at a rapid pace and have become an integral part of the engineering profession. ONDRAF/NIRAS consciously focuses on digital tools such as simulations and (BIM) modeling in order to execute projects even better and more efficiently. Here too, it is crucial to have the right information and to involve the right people in projects. 

At a time of constant change and growth in the food industry, ONDRAF/NIRAS fulfills an important role as an engineering firm. Through its focus on independence, clear specifications and stakeholder engagement within engineering projects, ONDRAF/NIRAS has proven to be a valuable partner for manufacturers in a competitive market. Its ability to understand both digitally and physically the complexity of production environments, combined with its commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, underscores the success of its collaborations with clients in the food industry.