Customer Stories
Micarna Group

Micarna Group Doubled Sample Processing and Made Compliance Audits Stress-Free

With Stefania Cesarano, Head Laboratory Manager at Micarna.

Micarna, a leading meat producer in Switzerland, faced challenges with outdated paper-based processes in its quality control laboratory. The introduction of 1LIMS has transformed Micarna's QC operations. Now, the laboratory is processing 50% more samples. Micarna has reduced per-sample analysis costs and simplified compliance audits.
Micarna Group, part of Migros Industry, is the leading producer of meat, poultry, fish, egg, and seafood in Switzerland
Website
Headquarters
Fribourg, Switzerland
Industry
Food and beverage
Key features used
Master data
Analysis management and reporting
Integration with an external service lab
Audit trails
Label printing & barcode scanning
Dashboard mockup

About

For over half a century, Micarna Group, part of Migros Industry, has been the leading meat, poultry, fish, egg, and seafood producer in Switzerland. It produces more than 4,500 products and employs around 3,052 people at 23 sites in Switzerland.

To maintain high product quality standards, Micarna ran its in-house quality control laboratory, managing 100 to 200 samples daily with just three technicians. Despite this heavy workload, the lab relied on paper-based systems and traditional manual data management methods for years. However, with the arrival of a new head lab manager, it became clear that a change was necessary.

We interviewed Stefania Cesarano, an ex-head laboratory manager at Micarna, to find out how the company uses 1LIMS to optimize quality control.

Bringing structure to chaos

When Stefania joined Micarna in 2017 and assumed responsibility for the lab, she faced a daunting challenge. The lab's operational procedures were outdated, characterized by a labyrinth of disparate Excel spreadsheets and abundant amounts of printed paperwork.

Overwhelmed by cumbersome paper-based processes, Stefania approached Micarna's quality manager with a simple yet pressing concern: "There is so much paper, I can't work like this anymore." Recognizing the need for change, the company turned to 1LIMS to help improve the efficiency of its quality control operations.

Our 1LIMS' experts analyzed Micarna's existing processes and offered a tailored solution that the quality control team at Micarna could use.
It took Micarna about four months to implement 1LIMS at the leading production site in Courtepin, Fribourg. After that, we helped input all the master data and sampling plan and gradually incorporated the system into all 23 locations. We worked closely with Micarna to ensure a seamless transition and tackled any issues that cropped up along the way. Automated imports of SAP article master data into 1LIMS proved essential for both stakeholders and the lab in accessing the right information.

The transition to 1LIMS has transformed how Micarna approaches quality management. What was previously chaos and paper now becomes organized and structured.
"
It was great to see everything being structured, ordered, and organized within 1LIMS.
It really impressed me.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

Effortless to use by anyone

Transitioning from traditional paper-based processes to a digital environment posed challenges for Stefania and her team. Some of Stefania's technicians, though experienced, were only somewhat comfortable with computers.

Implementing 1LIMS proved to be a remarkably smooth process. The intuitive interface of the system made it easy for even the most technologically hesitant team members to adapt. "With just one or two clicks, you're exactly where you need to be. With other LIMS, I always found myself clicking through multiple screens to accomplish my goal," says Stefania.
It was crucial that everybody in the lab could use 1LIMS effortlessly. This way, they could improve productivity and output.

1LIMS helped simplify the administrative processes, cutting the time Stefania and her team spent on paperwork by half. "We reduced the administration tasks, leaving more room for lab work," she explains.
"
1LIMS was so easy to work with! I've been a lab manager for 30 years and tried a few other LIMS, but 1LIMS is the most intuitive one yet.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

From documenting test orders to reporting results – all automated

Micarna has 23 production sites in Switzerland. As the head lab manager, Stefania's role was to oversee testing and result validation across all these facilities. 1LIMS has helped speed up the interactions between all the stakeholders by providing access to a shared data platform.

The ability for stakeholders to access relevant information in real-time was crucial in improving laboratory performance.
"
I think this was the main benefit – documenting test orders and sending results back quickly. I didn't have to reach out to anyone to confirm the orders or look up metadata for every sample written by hand. All I had to do was scan the QR codes on the labels.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

Streamlined coordination of external testing

Micarna performed most of the testing in its leading laboratory which is equipped with all the needed devices to ensure comprehensive quality control. But they also use external service labs for chemical analyses. 1LIMS made managing these external testing processes remarkably straightforward.

We seamlessly integrated external service lab processes into Micarna's workflow, facilitating coordination between the leading laboratory and external service providers. "1LIMS made it very easy," Stefania affirms.
The use of QR code labeling proved effective in automating sample identification and routing. It speeded up sample handling but also minimized the risk of errors associated with manual data entry.

With 1LIMS, Stefania and her team got complete visibility and control over the sample management process.
"
My stakeholders placed the orders, and when the samples arrived, I could quickly define if they were meant for us or the external lab just by checking the label. Then, with 1LIMS, I could instantly see the order details and prepare samples for shipping to the external lab. It was incredibly efficient – no more digging through files or Excel sheets. Just a quick barcode scan, and we were good to go.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

No more stress during compliance audits

For audits, traceability is crucial, because auditors can request test results for specific batches or samples. Traditionally, this meant sifting through Excel files, which was quite stressful. Also, you never knew if the test results were accurate. With multiple stakeholders, anyone could make mistakes and there was no mechanism to monitor and verify changes.

With 1LIMS, ensuring compliance became effortless. With just two clicks, auditors could access the required information, enabling them to proceed with their assessments quickly.
1LIMS not only simplified traceability and eliminated stress during audits but also contributed to the company's overall accreditation. The auditors assessing Micarna's quality control processes found the system to be exemplary. Thanks to the system's audit trail, which provided clear documentation of activities, they could see every step of the testing process. This transparency boosted confidence in the company and its ability to uphold compliance and quality standards effectively.
"
Before 1LIMS, our compliance audits were a nightmare. Even our seasoned technicians made plenty of mistakes because they were under so much pressure to find the right Excel spreadsheet during audits. Plus, there was always the risk of stakeholders accidentally messing with results, and we had no way to keep track of changes.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

50% more samples with lower per-sample analysis costs

Implementing 1LIMS improved the efficiency in the lab, reducing the time required for sample management.

Previously, the process of handling incoming samples consumed the entire morning, spanning three to five hours. However, with the introduction of 1LIMS, this duration was reduced to two hours.

Thanks to this newfound efficiency, the Micarna lab saw a significant increase in sample throughput, processing 50% to 60% more samples than before.
"
With 1LIMS, tasks like making orders, registering test results, and reporting became so much faster. I can say it made data management 50% faster. With the time saved, we were able to handle more samples coming in.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna
Also, 1LIMS freed up valuable time for lab technicians to dedicate to analytical tasks.
By increasing the lab's productivity, Micarna was able to reduce per-sample analysis costs, ultimately contributing to overall cost savings for the lab.
"
With the extra time available, I could implement advanced analytical techniques such as PCR. 1LIMS enhanced our lab's capabilities.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

Expertise and support

Stefania highlights the exceptional support received from the 1LIMS team.
"
What truly impressed me about the team at 1LIMS was their combination of youthfulness and competence. I could feel their dedication to their work, which gave me a sense of security. I always knew that any issues would be handled with professionalism and expertise.
Stefania Cesarano,
former Head of Laboratory Manager at Micarna

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