METRO Cash & Carry trains Meat Suppliers

Bangalore, July 15, 2011: METRO Cash and Carry, the international leader in self service business-to-business wholesale, recently launched ‘The Meat Suppliers’ Development Initiative’ aimed at providing long-term strategic expertise to meat suppliers, besides providing better quality and safer meat for its customers, especially for those from the HoReCa (Hotel/Restaurant/Cafe) segment in India. The programme aimed at educating METRO’s suppliers in handling, storage and production of meat to ensure better sales to business customers further assuring its end consumers that the meat they procure from METRO is handled, stored and cut in stringent HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certified conditions.

Initiated for the first time ever for meat business in India, the training programme was focused on aligning varied processes and techniques employed by suppliers of meat for METRO India with the company’s International best practices and experience. It was conducted recently at the Center for Free Development in the IIHM (Indian Institute of Hotel Management) campus, Bangalore, in collaboration with M/s Sealed Air (Cryovac), a global leader in fresh food packaging technology.

Over 40 suppliers who attended the programme were given elaborate training on international industry trends, production methods, new types of meat cuts, cold cuts, innovative packing solutions and food safety & hygiene. Experts from M/s. Sealed Air demonstrated techniques of hygienic meat production, handling and packaging using illustrative business cases, along with photographs and videos. Entire production teams from various METRO ‘Own Brand’ suppliers were trained specifically in production techniques, cold cuts, packaging, safe and hygienic product handling and storage. Meat suppliers, who attended the programme, appreciated METRO’s efforts to update their knowledge base and skills. 

“METRO offered us a great opportunity to interact with fellow suppliers in the trade”, said Mr. T.G. Suresh of Venkateshwara Hatcheries. “The experts clarified many doubts on meat production techniques, and we look forward to other such programs for our benefit,” he added.

The training was an engaging session in which industry experts outlined market dynamics and the key challenges faced by the meat business in India. Prof. Md. Nadeem Fairoze, Head of the Department of Livestock Products Technology, Veterinary College, Hebbal Campus, Bangalore, conducted an interactive session to highlight the importance of hygienic production & implementation of norms prescribed by the Food Safety And Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Government of India. He shared significant information with the meat suppliers on various advancements in poultry and livestock development, as well as in meat production across the country. To demonstrate the range of meat products available in the market, various samples were also displayed and discussed. METRO’s efforts in streamlining the meat supply chain for the benefit of its suppliers and customers were lauded as an exemplary case study in the meat trade.

About METRO Cash & Carry

METRO Cash & Carry is represented in 30 countries with around 700 self-service wholesale centers. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, the company achieved sales of about € 30.6 billion in 2009. METRO Cash & Carry is a sales division of the METRO GROUP.

For media queries, contact: press@metro.co.in