THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESSES OF A FOOD INDUSTRY

Abstract

This article arose from the need to identify and apply quality management tools with the greatest impact on reducing the number of incident calls in the logistics area, due to the high number of leaking primary packaging and damaged secondary packaging (boxes). In order to reduce the number of incidents, two quality tools were implemented, with the main objective of ensuring the need to maintain standardization in the company's industrial processes. Data collection was carried out over a period of sixty days in the incidents sector, where it was possible to identify damage to the primary and secondary packaging of sweets and sauces in the “sachet” format. The Pareto Diagram was used to identify, in numbers, the causes of the recurring problem. After implementing improvements in the machinery for sealing sachet packaging, an analysis of the secondary packaging - the cardboard boxes - was proposed. The check sheet was the tool used to identify and analyze damage to the secondary packaging; it was suggested to reduce the number of units inside the box and the number of boxes stacked on the pallets. Significant numbers were obtained with improvements in machinery and with harmonious palletizing with the appropriate and non-overloaded load. The company's shipping sector achieved a significant reduction of only 5% in damaged packages that presented some type of problem.