At Esseco UK, quality runs through every stage of manufacturing — from raw material checks to the final product that reaches our customers.
“Quality means building trust with our clients and ensuring every product meets their specific needs”.
Quality is not limited to the lab or the production line — it’s embedded in the way we operate across every team and process. Supported by ISO 9001 certification and a culture of continuous improvement, quality forms the foundation for everything we deliver.
A Culture of Quality Beyond Manufacturing
“Quality is not just a department’s responsibility — it’s part of everyone’s mindset,” explains Akhtar Mahmood, Quality and Laboratory Manager at Esseco UK. His team ensures that every product meets stringent standards through a comprehensive approach:
- Pre-approval and testing of raw materials before they enter the site.
- In-process checks and adjustments to guarantee consistency.
- Final product testing and positive verification for food-grade materials to avoid contamination risks.
Maintaining this consistency is not just routine — it’s the result of a system built on people, collaboration, and a willingness to adapt.
“Our customers are the most important people for us,” says Akhtar.
“We work closely with them to understand their processes and help them operate more efficiently.”
The Quality Forum: A Cross-Department Effort
To strengthen this culture, Esseco UK has introduced a Quality Forum, a cross-functional group that includes members from production, engineering, purchasing, HR, maintenance, and R&D.
“Quality used to be seen as the quality department’s problem,” says Akhtar.
“Now, we’ve built a forum where everyone contributes to finding solutions. The diverse perspectives have improved our audits, reduced errors, and increased shared understanding across teams.”
Certified Excellence
Our Wakefield site operates 24/7, with a team of analysts and technicians monitoring every shift. Each raw material batch is tested prior to approval, and in-process controls allow us to make real-time adjustments when necessary. Final analyses ensure compliance not only with internal targets but also with any regulatory or customer-specific requirements.
Esseco UK’s quality management system is built on ISO 9001 certification, recognized globally for its rigor and reliability.
“This certification doesn’t tell you what to do,” Akhtar notes.
“It checks that you do what you say you do — consistently. It’s the foundation of our customers’ trust in us.”
Looking Ahead
From raw material approval to cross-department audits, Esseco UK’s quality culture is about much more than compliance. It’s about building confidence, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that every product meets the highest standards.
As Akhtar puts it:
“To have a safe and consistent product, you need a quality system in place”.
