Nigerian Client Upgrades Packaging with 'Kaizen' Mindset

Founded in 2014, Amel Susan is a Nigerian food company specializing in breakfast cereals, cocoa beverages, and baking products. As a valued PFS client since 2018, they have actively leveraged PFS services to enhance their operations.

One of their recent requests was for advice on procuring automated packaging lines for their icing sugar products. Having expanded their factory, Amel Susan needed expert guidance on selecting packaging lines that fit their new space. Though their primary request was for supplier recommendations, they also sought solutions for dust control, vibration mitigation, process flow optimization, and maximizing the efficiency of their grinding machines.

To support this project, PFS matched Amel Susan with Iluobe Osazemhen, a Bühler automation engineer. Iluobe brings extensive expertise, with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Nigeria, a master’s in automation and control engineering from Scotland, and an advanced diploma in industrial automation from Canada. After working with Bühler in Nigeria, he now serves as a customer service automation engineer in Canada, providing technical support to Bühler’s North American clients.

“I have gained diverse experience in problem-solving, workplace culture, and technical skills from the various countries I have lived in. Volunteering with PFS allows me to apply these skills to processors in need, aligning with PFS’ vision,” shared Iluobe.

Iluobe’s first step in the project was to understand Amel Susan’s current processes and long-term goals. By actively listening to and engaging with their engineering team, he helped streamline the selection process, ensuring the chosen solution aligned with their needs. Several factors were carefully considered throughout the process. This included the client’s budget; the equipment’s warranty; availability and cost of spare parts; technical support and maintenance feasibility; as well as scalability of the equipment and future upgrades. Through vendor research and local site visits by the Amel Susan team, they successfully identified and selected a packaging solution that met their needs. “With a ‘Kaizen’ (a Japanese word meaning continuous improvement) mindset, I always strive to leave systems better than I found them," said Iluobe. "This project demonstrated how process changes can significantly boost productivity and seeing the client’s satisfaction at the end—that feeling is priceless.”