For decades, meat and poultry processors have used Bettcher’s Whizard power trimmers to remove muscle from bones and carcasses. However, “unengaged, inexperienced, or poorly trained workers can cost protein processors up to 59% in lost revenue from underutilized yield potential,” according to Alchemy and Bettcher.
So the two companies collaboratively developed a program that uses Alchemy’s workforce training platform to teach processing plant employees how to best apply Bettcher’s Whizard Series II and Quantum Meat Trimmer cutting tools.
“We have always believed that well-trained operators of our tools are the safest and most productive operators long-term,” said Paul Pirozzola, Bettcher’s VP of marketing. “By utilizing Alchemy’s training platform, we can facilitate the proper use and application of our tools in a new way that helps create additional value for Bettcher customers.”
Data-driven
Alchemy and Bettcher gathered millions of training records from meat and poultry processors throughout the country and applied those data to their program.
The training program is designed to speed up on-boarding of employees and make refresher training sessions more efficient. The training focuses on efficiency and safety to help processors maximize their yield potential and minimize operator concerns.
“Our recent behavioral change study demonstrates the long-term benefits of front-line food worker engagement,” said Laura Dunn-Nelson, Alchemy’s VP of technical services and business development. “The results show that the combination of effective training, corrective observations, and coaching can improve productivity performance by up to 26 percentage points.”
Quantum timing
The two companies have announced their partnership at a strategic time, as Alchemy and Bettcher are exhibiting together at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta next week (January 26-29). They will share Booth B-5647.
Alchemy’s Dunn-Nelson will deliver an educational session entitled “The true cost of an inexperienced and poorly trained production workforce.” Bettcher will be demonstrating the recently introduced Quantum series of trimmers.