Girteka Logistics, the largest asset-based logistics company in Europe with a fleet of over 8,000 trucks and over 8,400 trailers, has been certified as an IFS Logistics Version 2.2 logistics provider. The certificate will allow the company to not only expand its current services but also expand its portfolio of clients.
The certificate, developed by IFS with the goal to create transparency and trust across the supply chain, and has the goal to standardize the storage, distribution, transportation, as well as loading and unloading activities for the food supply chain. However, the certificate is also applicable to the non-food supply chain. Girteka Logistics achieved the Higher Level of IFS Logistics 2.2 standard, as out of the 121 requirements, only five areas were deemed as areas that need improvement.
“The IFS Logistics 2.2 certificate is an important step for Girteka Logistics, as it will help to strengthen our offering and to continue our growth in the food supply chain that is an important part of the company’s offering,” says Ramūnas Stanišauskas, the Head of Operational Excellence at Girteka Logistics.
The audit was challenging due to a combination of factors, including the fact that the auditors had to ask the management of IFS Standards that the certificate would specify Organization of Food Logistics, rather than Food Logistics, a first for the management of IFS.
“While the audit had its challenges, including the fact that it could not be done remotely despite the quarantine conditions in Lithuania, achieving certification and having a unique certificate is a testimony that Girteka Logistics is a trusted partner in the food supply chain, whether that would be shelf-stable, refrigerated, frozen food, or non-food products,” notes Stanišauskas.
According to the Head of Operational Excellence, the newly-obtained certificate will not only allow the road transport company to expand services to its current customers but also tap into new markets with at least 200 new customers within the food industry with an annual turnover of more than 100 million euros.
“I want to personally thank all of our colleagues, especially our colleagues at the business compliance team, for their effort and involvement to obtain the IFS Logistics 2.2 certificate,” concludes Stanišauskas.
Girteka Logistics specializes in the transportation process of fresh, frozen and shelf-life food, retail, automotive and industrial, consumer and household goods, excise products as well as high-value cargo and pharmaceuticals. In addition to the recently-obtained IFS Logistics 2.2 certificate, the company also has ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), Good Distribution Practise (GDP) and Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA) TSR level 1 certificates, as well as Safety & Quality Assessment System (SQAS) attestation.