PPS Begins Regular Site Audits
Consistency between sites is the key as PPS continues to expand its brand, its footprint and its services throughout North America. “Having consistent processes across multiple industrial facilities is important for several reasons,” said Process Engineer Brendan Varmazis. “Consistent processes ensure that our services meet the same high standards across all facilities. Standardized processes streamline operations, reduce waste and optimize resource utilization.”
PPS has assembled the Comprehensive Assessment & Site Evaluation, or CASE, audit team—including Varmazis and Windsor Plant Manager Brad Thompson—to visit all PPS sites on a regular basis and perform an audit of process control at each site to ensure they are all being operated similarly.
Consistency leads to cost savings and improved productivity across all facilities. Having consistent process also helps maintain consistent safety protocols, ensuring that PPS meets regulatory requirements, and everyone is safe while they work. Consistent processes provide a baseline for continuous improvement efforts. “By measuring and comparing performance across facilities, we can identify best practices and areas for enhancement more effectively. This knowledge can then be applied to each site,” Varmazis said.
“I’m thrilled with the launch of our new PPS audit process. It’s a significant step forward in our continuous improvement journey,” said MPW President Jared Black, adding that this innovative approach is designed to enhance operational quality, production efficiency, safety standards and professional conduct, all while delivering added value to our customers.
“As we roll out this new process, I am confident that it will not only improve our business operations but also strengthen our position as a leader in the industry,” Black said. “Our customers rely on us for our expertise and reliability, and with the new PPS audit process, we are poised to exceed their expectations.”
“It doesn’t mean that any plant manager is in any sort of trouble,” said District Office Manager Samantha Zemnicky said. “We’re going to see a really positive outcome from it all.” She said as PPS continues to grow and the brand name builds, keeping all the sites operating alike is going to be essential to PPS’ success.
PPS General Manager Chris Hughes explained that the first day Varmazis and Thompson arrive on site, they will tour the site with the plant manager and conduct a preliminary audit. Some of the things they will observe include LMS compliance, safety observations performance, the level of clutter around the plant and whether there are any waste chemicals, among many other criteria. They will assign a rating number to each of the criteria.
“Brad and Brendan stay there the rest of the week and work with the plant manager and the people at the site to do whatever they need—throwing out garbage, getting people on team in group LMSs, getting rid of chemicals, buying or ordering PPE, whatever is necessary to get all of their systems consistent and compliant,” Hughes said.
At the end of the week, the site will be re-evaluated and assigned updated ratings based on how the site appears on Friday after all the work is complete. “They’ll go to that extent to show that we’re helping you,” Hughes said. “We’re not waiving our finger at you.”
Hughes said the sites are given advance notice of the audit out of fairness, but the real test for each site is how they continue to comply once Varmazis and Thompson have traveled to the next site. To ensure continued compliance, Hughes said each site will receive an audit every six months.
Thompson said the CASE audit will help all PPS sites work in unison. “If I have a problem here in Windsor, I can call Brampton and we can discuss the same things because our working standards are the same throughout each facility,” he said. The audit is designed to highlight each site’s strengths as well as what needs improvement.
Thompson acknowledges the CASE audit can seem intimidating to plant managers at first because there’s a report involved. The Windsor plant, which he manages, was the first to be audited; the Toronto and Fairborn sites have been audited since. “I liked it because I could see where our shortcomings were, and also what we’re doing really well,” he said.
Varmazis said that consistent processes mean consistent results. Reliability enhances customer satisfaction and trust in the brand, leading to repeat business and positive interactions. “It reflects professionalism and attention to detail,” he said. “An inconsistent process across sites can make PPS appear disorganized or unreliable, which undermines trust and credibility.”
Looking toward the future, consistent processes facilitate smooth expansion into new markets or regions. They provide a framework that can be replicated, ensuring that the PPS brand identity and reputation are maintained as the company grows.
EHS Manager Anthony Tagliaferro emphasized the significance of the new PPS CASE audit tool in ensuring consistency. “The PPS plant audit tool is an excellent resource for standardizing compliance across plants,” he said. “It will assist plants in several key areas, including safety, a culture of cleanliness and environmental compliance.”
“Personally, I think it’s the most positive thing that we could do,” Zemnicky said. “The nature of this business has a dangerous component to it,” Zemnicky said. “So, it’s really going to drive home some of the safety aspects, too, which I think is going to be huge.”