In October 2024, Hardtank received a BRCGS Food Safety Grade A certification, the highest possible rating issued for food manufacturers.
In the food and beverage industry, safety standards are of utmost importance. They protect customers, reassure distributors and partners, and maintain brand integrity.
At Hardtank, we are committed to providing both our customers and end-users total peace of mind when consuming or selling our private label cold brew coffee.
Achieving a Grade A BRC certification is another step in our continued efforts to manufacture the highest-quality and safest private label cold brew products on the market.
Maciej Duszak, co-founder and head of sales at Hardtank, shares some of his thoughts on the positive news.
What is a BRCGS certification?
BRC (British Retail Consortium) is a leading organisation that has developed a set of global standards known as BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standard) to ensure product safety, quality, and operational consistency across various industries, particularly in food production.
The standard has been in effect for nearly 25 years, is recognised in over 130 countries, and is crucial for businesses aiming to meet stringent regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
A BRCGS certification is more than just a badge. It signifies a food manufacturer’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety and quality standards throughout production. In today’s competitive market, achieving BRCGS certification enhances a company’s reputation and consequently opens doors to new business opportunities.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a foundational element of the BRCGS certification. The standard requires businesses to implement sound HACCP-compliant practices throughout their production processes. Through this complimentary association, the client, whether distributor, retailer, or consumer, can be doubly sure of quality and safety standards.
A BRCGS certification is awarded by grade, ascending from Grade D to Grade A. Grade A ratings are the pinnacle of compliance: this designation indicates that a company has demonstrated exceptional adherence to the BRCGS standards.
By earning a Grade A, the manufacturer illustrates to its clients and customers a rock-solid commitment to food safety while simultaneously setting itself apart from competitors of lower Grades or those uncertified.
Why is BRCGS important for Hardtank?
Attaining a Grade A BRCGS Food Safety certification signifies a new, positive benchmark in the Hardtank journey. It solidifies our commitment to quality and safety, gives existing and future clients greater confidence in our services, and opens doors to new opportunities.
The BRCGS certification helps us in several important ways:
Business development
Many retailers require BRCGS certification from their suppliers as a prerequisite for partnerships. While some retailers may have lower thresholds than others, Grade A opens doors to those with the highest standards, presenting new business opportunities.
“If you want to talk to Tesco, Shell, 7-Eleven – any big customer – they will always ask for food safety certifications, especially BRCGS,’ says Maciej.
“If you don’t have it, you’re either immediately barred from a supplier relationship, or you will be subject to an audit, which takes time and money and slows down the entire selling process.”
Operational efficiency
Obtaining a BRCGS certification has helped us improve our operational practices, making our facilities both more efficient and more sustainable.
“BRCGS dictates the way your manufacturing facility works. It makes the entire production process very well organised and verified. Now, our team works better, with more confidence,” Maciej explains.
“The entire Hardtank workflow has been thoroughly assessed, optimised, and verified by third-party auditors. The result is a comprehensive upgrade in operational efficiency, and the results are tangible.”
Furthermore, BRCGS enhances our risk management protocols, the level of trust and credibility with our partners, and end-consumer confidence in Hardtank-produced products:
- Risk Management: In our application process for BRCGS certification, we have deployed risk management protocols to improve our identification and control over production hazards, improving product quality and safety.
- Trust & Credibility: By achieving a Grade A certification, Hardtank has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to food safety and quality, building trust with retail partners, distributors, and consumers.
- Consumer Confidence: Modern consumers have an informed understanding of food quality and safety and look for clear compliance from the brands and businesses they support. Grade A illustrates Hardtank’s commitment to them.
Choose Hardtank for private label cold brew coffee
At Hardtank, we are combining over twenty years of specialty coffee experience with state-of-the-art BRCGS Grade A-certified facilities to offer our clients and customers the highest-quality private label cold brew coffee available.
Our commitment to food safety and quality is constantly evolving. In addition to this BRCGS gold standard, we continue to take further steps to ensure our partners’ trust.
We send every batch of cold brew we produce to an independent laboratory for further safety testing and retain a sample for the duration of that batch’s shelf life for further analysis if necessary.
We offer MOQs of just 3,000 units per SKU, turnaround times of less than six weeks, lower overall costs, and favourable payment terms. Moreover, we are built to scale alongside you, matching your volume requirements every step of the way, and committed to continuous, flawless support and delivery.
To source your own line of private label cold brew coffee manufactured in our BRCGS Grade A facility, visit our website or get in touch with us directly.
You can still watch a recording of our Cold Brew Masterclass by following the link.
