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Operations > SCIP > PIT > Non-Tobacco-Related Materials (NTRM) |
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Universal’s Non-Tobacco-Related Materials (NTRM) Program has three major goals: |
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Prevention on the farm and throughout the supply chain. |
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Detection and removal of NTRM throughout our process. |
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Protection of the product through sanitation programs and the proper management of equipment, tools and materials. |
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NTRM programs are formalized in each origin through the incorporation of specific policies and procedures. Our programs begin with the recognition that the best way to address NTRM issues is by prevention at the source. For this reason, we continually promote NTRM awareness and prevention through training and assistance to farmers and suppliers. Farmer interaction takes place either through company-sponsored training by agronomists and technicians or through farmer, government or third party extension organizations. Awareness and training are also passed to third party organizations such as auction warehouses and transport organizations who handle the tobacco before delivery to our processing facilities.
Awareness and training programs are also aggressively undertaken in our receiving, warehousing and factory locations. NTRM awareness is included in employee orientation meetings. Employees in all functional areas are carefully instructed regarding NTRM prevention policies and procedures. Additionally, our employees are trained in the identification and removal of NTRM from the process flow and the proper separation of NTRM and tobacco.
The Company has also developed, invested in, and currently operates numerous mechanical NTRM removal devices which greatly assist the traditional manual detection and removal process. Currently, our facilities are utilizing mechanical devices such as rollers, free lamina/NTRM separators, airleg dropouts, magnets and optical detection devices. The investigation into new and better technologies continues, as the Company seeks to further improve removal efficiencies.
Once removed, NTRM is classified and weighed and the data is used to produce reports for facility management. The data can then be analyzed and used to create specific action plans to address NTRM issues. Facility management also performs daily final product inspections in which all aspects of product quality are assessed. Of particular importance at this point is good communication between our buyers, agronomists, and processing teams. Information regarding issues identified in the factory can then be transmitted to the field through our agronomists and leaf buyers. This feedback loop is critical to reducing and eliminating NTRM throughout the supply chain.
Another key component of our NTRM programs is our focus on sanitation and contamination control. We focus our efforts on inspection, maintenance and cleanliness of buildings and machinery and the careful review and control of materials used in our facilities and on the farm.
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P.O. Box 25099 :
Richmond, VA 23260 US :
804-359-9311
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