Manama Packaging Industry (MPI), a polyethylene products maker and polymer converting company in Bahrain, has been awarded a Grade A British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification.

The accolade has prompted the company to consider exploring new markets and a spokesman said it would work towards further penetration into the European arena.

The BRC certification came after a comprehensive audit of the flexible packaging company by certification specialists TUV Nord, who assessed and approved the company’s food safety management systems, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper.

As of now, the company is third in the kingdom to be accredited with BRC certification but is the first of its kind in Bahrain to receive such certification for manufacturing flexible food and non-food packaging materials.

MPI already has ISO 9001:2008, ISO 22000:2005, ISO 9000 and HACCP certification, the report stated.

Currently it supplies local operations including Kraft, Henkel and DHL in Bahrain  but exports some 80 per cent of its production.

FAR-FLUNG MARKETS
Its markets include the Gulf region plus places as far afield as South America and Africa, covering a total of more than 20 countries, said an MPI statement.

MPI is manufacturing and exporting a comprehensive range of products for various industries such as food, snacks, confectionary and medical.

“This certification is very important to international customers,” remarked MPI factory manager Javed Mahmood.

“Currently our markets are turning over at a steady pace but this certification should help us further expand our business, particularly internationally with multi-national companies. It is particularly important for doing business in Europe,” said Mahmood.

“We currently have some business with companies in Holland but this award should allow us to expand this and also open up other European markets,” he added.