The Greif Global Operations Group compliance team has launched the 2025 edition of the Test to Last North America competition, a significant initiative that underscores our commitment to compliance and product performance.
The competition is designed to inspire and promote comradery and friendly competition while boosting product performance at our steel, IBC, fiber, and plastic drum manufacturing facilities in North America. The competition motivates plants to share and learn from each other’s best practices while maintaining UN/DOT compliance accountability toward Delivering Legendary Customer Service.
John Foryt, Director, Global Product Safety and Compliance, explains, “Ultimately, our customers rely on us for packaging that carries the certifications and performance for transporting their goods. We can’t service our customers with drums that don’t perform up to regulatory standards. Our UN/DOT compliance program is built around this idea, and everyone involved, from myself to the shop floor testing technician, has to be engaged so we can continue to create safe, compliant, quality packaging to meet our customer’s needs.”
The contest is based on points to be given for everyday UN/DOT testing activities. With every UN/DOT test performed, teams earn points, which are divvied out by our Greif product standards and compliance team. They determine the accuracy of each test as part of their everyday role.
Testing and scoring criteria include:
- Test Results – Are the products passing their performance tests?
- Corrective Action Effectiveness – Are issues being corrected after a failure?
- Test Documentation – Are test results documented with required photos and data?
- Ability to follow the testing process – Are the QS-based systems being used to properly workflow the testing?
- Timeliness of Testing – Are test drums being submitted well ahead of the certification’s expiration date?
Beyond the points, there is also valuable feedback following each completed work order as the plant teams can see where they lost points and how to improve for the future.
The Defending Champs
Congratulations to The Regulators, the team comprised of Florence, Kentucky, and Englishtown, New Jersey, for earning First Place in the Test to Last competition!
John Foryt stated, “The first iteration of the competition successfully reinforced the proactive, engaged approach to compliance we hoped to see in our plant teams. Not only was it fun, but we saw more on-time testing, greater test report accuracy and fewer certification expirations – all leading to fewer critical business disruptions for our customers. I’m excited to see who can improve on their previous performance and take top prize in 2025!”
A mid-January celebration took place at the Florence, Kentucky plant to recognize Florence and Englishtown for a job well done. Will they repeat in 2025? Only time and testing will tell.
