Lekkerkerker Group on Normec Label & Specifications

The Lekkerkerker Group—a producer of cream cheese, cheese products, and herb butter, among other items—has been working with Normec Foodcare from the very beginning. They have collaborated with our laboratory and engaged our labeling specialists for translation work. When they reached the point where their entire specification management process was to be restructured, they quickly got in touch. The case was presented to Normec Foodcare.

More Knowledge, Fewer Hours

Auke Snijder is the QESH Manager at the Lekkerkerker Group. He explains how changes in the specification management department led to the decision to bring in specialists from Normec Foodcare: “Previously, we had someone on-site who handled specification management a few days a week. But over the past year, some strategic decisions were made within the company that resulted in our product portfolio becoming smaller, yet broader and more international. It’s a challenge for a single person to be familiar with all national and international regulations. In addition, the regular workload involved in creating specifications had decreased somewhat. So we actually needed fewer hours, but more expertise.”

For the De Lekkerkerker Group, that was the reason to discontinue the position internally and outsource it. Auke: “That way, you work with a provider that does have that broad knowledge, but you’re hiring fewer hours. That balance is nearly impossible to achieve with just one person on-site.”

Availability

Currently, a specialist visits De Lekkerkerker Group one day a week. Labeling specialist Sandra Scholtus performs tasks such as creating and keeping end-product specifications up to date, as well as handling translations and ensuring compliance with national and international regulations.

“Although Sandra only works for us one day a week, we can always turn to Normec Foodcare with any questions.” Auke sees this excellent accessibility as a major advantage. “It’s no longer a problem if someone is on vacation or happens to call in sick. So we’ve become much more flexible in carrying out our work.”

Customer service representatives are working with headsets and computers at their office desks.

Reliability

The Lekkerkerker Group has set up their system so that Normec Foodcare can work remotely. This major advantage was a key factor for them. Auke: “Of course, we have a set day, but if something really needs to be done, we can handle it remotely. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened yet. But the idea that service is always guaranteed provides a sense of security.”

A Good Match

So far, the collaboration with Normec Foodcare has been a positive experience. Auke: “Of course, you have to get used to each other at first, but the collaboration is going very well. Sandra has already become part of the team and our company. That’s how she’s seen, and that’s how it works. I think we’ve aligned our expectations very well, and beyond that, it’s just a transparent way of working—informal, as befits our company culture. I think it’s a good match. That’s also what we already knew to some extent about the Normec Group.”

And the future? “We’ve just gotten started, so I hope we can keep this up in the coming years. Besides, we’ve always been fairly closely connected within the Normec Group. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”