ASSOCIATED VOLUNTEER experts

 Quality mission in Vientiane in Laos

  Alain Coupel, AVe expert, carried out a one-month mission to Miracle Lao in Laos.

Laos’s economic situation has improved since the 2000s (+ 6.5% in 2019) but it still depends on international aid and the export of natural resources (hydroelectricity, wood and mining).
Most of the economic activity is based on trade with neighbouring countries : China, Vietnam, Thailand, from which most products are imported. Laos has few production enterprises, a situation due to the lack of human skills. "Made in Laos" does not yet inspire confidence.
"Miracle Lao Coffee Factory" is an SME, subsidiary of the family group "Miracle Lao", which is based in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. It has just set up a modern coffee roasting factory with a "pharma" quality top level equipment (clean rooms, all stainless steel), a real willingness of professionalism which deserves recognition on the domestic market and on the international roast coffee market.
The SME has decided to set up an ISO procedure according to the ISO 9001-2015 standard with AVe's support for the implementation. Alain Coupel, who has acquired experience with this kind of approach in his company in France, has just carried out a 1-month mission there.

Two main processes have been identified :

• "The "Production Process" : from the green coffee beansincoming inspection, the various roast profiles, to the roasted coffee packaging  in 250 or 500g bags.
• "The “Quality Contro Process"  : Laboratory analyzes : % humidity, impurities, colorimetry and tasting test on 8 criteria (fragrance, taste, acidity, clarity, etc.). This is the "cupping test".

The ISO procedure allows the control and mastery of roasting, including heat treatment, which is so decisive for obtaining an aroma and taste of coffee that are pleasantly perceived by customers. But it is also necessary to control the risks of impurities and cross-contamination. Hence the proposal for a health control plan in accordance with HACCP principles, an essential approach for the development of export activities.
The very intense one-month mission led to the drafting of a "QMS Handbook", which will be the assistance manual for staff, auditors (internal and external), and all interested persons (customers, authorities, suppliers). It is a basic document for the corporate communication of "Miracle Lao Coffee Factory".
The mission continues with remote support : weekly Skype meetings. Objective : ISO certification of the SME in June 2020.
Alain Coupel - AVe Expert