Golden Pasta and Golden Noodles Agbara Plant Secures ISO Certification
Nigeria's leading food brands, Golden Pasta, a division of Flour Mills of Nigeria and Golden Noodles Nigeria have achieved another milestone in their operations by securing an ISO certification for their Agbara plant in Ogun state. The plant which was certified in September, 2013 for conformity to the requirements of NIS ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System (QMS) standards became operational in 2012.
At the certificate presentation ceremony, the Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumosu declared that Golden Pasta had joined a privileged class of Quality Management System certified organizations in Nigeria. He further stated 'this giant stride in the pursuit of excellence in providing quality services to the Nigerian Public is commendable and worthy of emulation by all service providers whether private or public'. While speaking through his representative, Mr. Abiola Komolafe, the Head of Department Product Certification, Standards Organization of Nigeria, the SON boss congratulated the management of Golden Pasta for having installed the highest production capacity line for short pasta in the world, capable of producing 6,200kg per hour.
Mr. Yiannis Katsichtis, General Manager and Director of Golden Pasta who received the certificate at the presentation ceremony held at the Agbara plant along with other staff of the company, thanked the SON for guiding his team through the whole process of achieving the certification. 'Now that we are fully ISO certified with this certification of our Agbara plant, we promise the Standards Organization of Nigeria and our Nigerian consumers of best practices in achieving high quality food products at all times', he said. Katsichtis acknowledged that though it was a great occasion for the company, sustaining the certification was no easy task which was why they had trained 15 members of staff on ISO certified auditing who will help ensure that the standard was upheld at all times.
While also commenting on the certification, Costas Kountouris, the Site Manager, Golden Pasta Plant, Agbara said that he believes the certification was a morale booster for all staff of the company. He explained that it was recognition of the good work going on in the company and the staff should be given credit for that, having worked tirelessly towards achieving the certification.
The event which witnessed the certificate presentation also had the ceremonial unveiling of a life- size framed portrait of the certificate. Members of staff of the plant were visibly elated and expressed their excitement. The Marketing Manager, Golden Pasta, Mrs. Modupe Babalola stated that the certification was a validation of the company's dedication and passion to always produce high quality products for the consumers regardless of the economic climate.
Kayode Aseperi, Sectional Head, Management System Certification, SON who delivered the citation before the presentation, made it clear that no stone was unturned throughout the assessment that led to the certification. He stated that personnel were trained, resources provided and procedures were put in place in accordance with the requirements of the QMS NIS ISO 9001:2008 Standard. And he further described Golden Pasta as a good corporate citizen of Nigeria that has strengthened its processes for better service delivery.
