Following an intensive on-site audit by Graphic Measures International (GMI) Ltd. in the first quarter of 2012, Leo was awarded Full Certification, thereby becoming a certified supplier to produce Target Owned Brand packaging.
There is more to this certification than quality. This is a supplier certification program based on the Target Packaging Program (TPP). Full certification signifies the packaging supplier is capable of producing packaging that consistently meets Target’s specifications.
Target contracted with an independent third party (GMI) to perform package supplier evaluations and conduct ongoing package sample measurements. GMI manages packaging quality programs for many well-known retailers and consumer product companies. GMI also hosts a website that houses all of their packaging audit data whose viewers include Target, vendors and certified package suppliers. As a result, GMI certification has become very desirable in the packaging market.
During the Package Supplier Evaluation & Certification process, GMI conducted on-site evaluations at our Hehsan facilities and reviewed our press test sheets. This on-site evaluation focuses on four categories of packaging manufacturing: prepress, plate making, press and post press. Each of these categories is divided into sub-categories, and these sub-categories are measured by five criteria: documentation, maintenance, operator capability, performance and training. Each of these criteria is scored on a zero-to-three-scale. The goal of this evaluation is to determine how well the packaging supplier is able to control the packaging manufacturing process.
In addition to scrutinizing manufacturing capabilities, GMI consultants also evaluated overall safety in the areas of prepress, plate making, press and post press. This indicates that there are no critical defects in all sub-categories, and the test press sheet also meets quality standards. Suppliers must pass all safety criteria in order to obtain Full Certification. Leo was awarded Full Certification as a result of passing all safety criteria.
As a certified supplier, Leo can produce Target Owned Brand packaging. This showcases that Leo’s packaging manufacturing capabilities are in compliance with Target’s strict packaging standards.