FALFISH TAKE SUSTAINABLILITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Falfish take sustainablility to the next level. Independently owned multi-species seafood processor, Falfish, is pioneering an integrated approach to protecting the sustainability of its supply chain and the unique traceability challenges faced by the sector. By collaborating with technical specialists from food software specialist SI (Systems Integration), Falfish has developed and implemented very specific software solutions, that support the sustainability of its business operations.

Unlike many other fish processors, Falfish not only purchases fish from the auctions, it also guarantees to purchase whole catches from skippers of individual boats. The catches are processed on the same day and either sent straight to customers fresh or immediately processed for frozen customers. As the amount and type of seafood caught each day varies, Falfish needs to operate with great flexibility, to ensure all its orders from key customers in the UK and Europe are fulfilled quickly and efficiently.

Putting fishermen first

A major part of the success of Falfish is how it works with its fishing partners, as Managing Director, Mark Greet explains: “ We recognise that the sustainability of our business is inextricably linked to the need for a healthy marine environment, robust fish and shellfish stocks and vibrant fishing communities. This is why we have developed strong long-term relationships with skippers, crews and fishing vessel operators. As part of these relationships, we strive to ensure we help them in any way we can, so they can concentrate on landing their catch each day, whilst maximising the value achieved from every sailing.”

To achieve its focus on sustainability, Falfish uses SI’s technology for full end to end stock and traceability control, allowing it to automatically report back information required by fisheries departments, whilst having a real-time view of available stock. This information is also used in the automation of trawler payments, supporting swift payments for each skipper.

Commenting on the development of the Falfish solution SI MD Rob Stephens added: “Because no catch is ever the same and customer orders vary every day, Falfish have to deal with unique processing challenges. This is why we have worked with the business for several years to take a very deliberate modular approach to integration, building in customisations to the modules themselves, so no bespoke programming is required.

“For example, when we introduced the stock and order modules, we developed a batch barcode approach to traceability. Each batch is assigned a unique code with all data captured assigned to this code. This code and data follow the product throughout the processing line, together with the individual species barcode information. It also informs label generation details, when the produce is packed and dispatched, or when put into cold storage. This delivers a fully automated and auditable traceability system, giving complete mass balance on all products and packaging, which allows Falfish to focus on other tasks.”

The most recent piece of Falfish’s integration has involved the digitalising of its QA process, with the adoption of handheld devices to perform and log all QA tasks and deliver live data straight to its technical managers. By integrating with stock control, this enhanced QA process supports the overall delivery of quality processed seafood to the end consumer, whilst ultimately supporting the wider sustainability of the sector as a whole.

For more information on Falfish, visit www.falfish.com

For more information on SI’s integrated food processing software solutions, together with its work within the fish and seafood sector visit, www.sifoodsoftware.com