International benchmarking of the small goods industry

Summary

​This was the first benchmarking study undertaken of the performance of the Australian processed meats industry - subsequently referred to as the smallgoods industry.

The study provides objective measures of the current structure of the industry, and the performance of a range of large and medium sized plants.
The performance of Australian smallgoods plants is compared with that of best practice plants in the United States and Europe.

The objective of these comparisons is to provide information, ideas and stimulus to promote continuous improvement in the performance of Australian plants.

The data for the study was provided by:six major Australian plants who participated in detailed plant visits and follow-ups by Hassall & Associatestwelve medium sized plants who responded to a mail questionnairesix overseas plants - three in Germany, two in the United States and one in the United Kingdom.

The cooperation of all the above companies is gratefully acknowledged.
Like most pioneering ventures, the study has faced many barriers in terms of product and process definition, allocation of labour and costs, and more generally in persuading participants of the value of better measurement of their performance relative to others.

The market and business environments faced by the overseas plants are difference in many respects from the Australian environment. Nevertheless, the best practice plants in Europe and the United States have prospered in a more competitive environment. They are a rich source of knowledge and innovation as to the necessary steps to improved performance.