Bell Flavors & Fragrances Completes Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit
Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. has finalized its 2020 Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit at corporate headquarters. As a signatory member of the IFRA-OIFI Sustainability Charter, the company closely tracks five focus areas including: 1) Responsible Sourcing, 2) Environmental Footprint, 3) Employee Well-being, 4) Product Safety, and 5) Transparency. Bell is focused on improving its business value chain via responsible and sustainability-forward practices.
“As an active Sedex Corporate B member, Bell Flavors & Fragrances is committed to being a responsible business, sourcing with critical impacts in mind and improving ethical standards and working conditions within the supply chain. Having Sedex’s tools and services at our fingertips allows Bell to continually implement and improve sustainable business practices,” said Diego Darquea C., vice president of global flavor & fragrance quality, compliance and safety.
Sedex is the largest and most recognized ethical data exchange platform and audit program with over 55,000 members in 180 countries, across 35 industry sectors, including food, agriculture, financial services, clothing and apparel, packaging and chemicals. The program’s voluntary, global certification is renewed annually, with Bell required to undergo a SMETA performed at five site-specific levels, including Illinois (corporate headquarters), New York, Mexico, Canada and Germany.
SMETA is one of the most widely used social audits in the world, conducted to understand labor and human relations conditions, such as the health and safety of workers. Through ethical trade auditing, Sedex focuses on three key areas, including: 1) Standards of Labor, 2) Health and Safety, and 3) Environment and Business Ethics. Customer and suppliers with access to the Sedex platform are able to view Bell’s full audit report, which has been added to the 40K+ SMETA audits uploaded to the platform annually.
Bell is proud to partner with suppliers and focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing in order to provide solutions for customers and consumers that demand transparency. From tracking its carbon footprint using the GHG Protocol to taking measures to minimize waste and handle disposal in a safe and regulated manner, Bell takes an active approach to maximizing positive environmental and social impacts on both a local and global scale while minimizing our footprint worldwide.
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Seviroli Foods Partners With Mill Point to Expand Growth
Seviroli Foods, Inc., manufacturer of frozen pasta and other food products, and Vertullo Imports LLC, a specialty food importer, have partnered with Mill Point Capital LLC, a middle-market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the business services, industrials and technology sectors in North America.
eviroli has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1960 and provides a leading line of chef-inspired artisan-filled pastas, sauces and Italian desserts. Joseph Seviroli Jr., CEO and second-generation owner of Seviroli, will continue in his role alongside President and COO Paul Vertullo and other key members of the management team.
“We are excited to continue building upon my family’s proud 62-year operating history alongside Mill Point,” Seviroli said. “Seviroli’s track record of growth, innovation and quality customer service are expected to be significantly enhanced through our partnership.”
“The partnership and combination of resources with Mill Point accelerates our ability to continue Seviroli’s and Vertullo’s long-term growth trajectory and execute strategic initiatives,” Vertullo said.
“We have been thoroughly impressed by the strong operating foundation and culture Joe, Paul and the rest of the Seviroli team have created. I am confident that with their expertise and Mill Point’s insight, the company will further elevate its product ideation, customer relationships and operational excellence,” said Jim Schubauer, Mill Point’s executive partner and executive vice chairman of Seviroli.
“Throughout its history, Seviroli has continually distinguished itself as a leader in its sector. We are committed to maintaining the core values that the Seviroli family and team have created and look forward to pursuing numerous growth avenues ahead,” said Dustin Smith, partner of Mill Point.
Seviroli manufactures products for the foodservice, club and grocery/retail channels, offering a variety of items including ravioli, tortellini, stuffed shells, manicotti, short cut pastas and other products. Seviroli operates out of three manufacturing facilities in the New York Metro area with the capability to serve customers nationally.
Vertullo imports over 150 items from 19 countries including pasta, rice, sauces, oils, truffles, and other fresh and frozen goods. Vertullo supplies products to Seviroli as well as third-party foodservice, retail and e-commerce trade customers.
Mill Point Capital LLC is a private equity firm focused on control investments in lower-middle market companies across the business services, technology and industrials sectors in North America. Mill Point’s experienced team of investors and Executive Partners seek portfolio company value enhancement through rigorous implementation of transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Mill Point is based in New York, N.Y.
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Wine To Water Restores Volunteer Program After Pandemic Pause
More than two years ago, global clean water nonprofit, Wine To Water was forced to put a growing volunteer program on pause due to the global pandemic. The program is open again with an expanded reach, bringing water filtration and well construction, thereby reducing bottled water dependence or a complete lack of clean water. The program is led by the dynamic former Texas A&M educator and anthropologist, Judy Nunez.
“The Wine To Water team springs into action whenever there is a need for clean water, but the pandemic made it challenging for many nonprofits to recruit and support volunteers outside of their own communities,” said Doc Hendley, a CNN Hero and the founder and international president of W|W. “Volunteers are critically important to the work of nonprofits because the donation of services allows other donations to go further and be applied to the cause served.”
W|W has several upcoming service trips including one to the Dominican Republic in December, where volunteers will build filters in the local factory. They will also deliver a filter to a home and share in the experience of the family taking their first sip of clean water. On a recent trip to Nepal, the mission included rehabilitating a well, painting a water tank, and visiting with school children. These experiences are designed to immerse volunteers in the community and culture in a way that is enriching for both the volunteer and those receiving the services.
A water emergency is occurring somewhere in the world at this moment, so there are ongoing relief efforts in the United States and around the world requiring volunteers. Wine To Water’s volunteer program involves students in a broader way. Nunez is working to grow student programs in colleges across the country, especially for domestic relief projects.
W|W leads emergency response to water crises. Part of its ongoing mission is the Filter Build program, which provides another volunteer experience. These filters have increased the capacity of W|W to provide clean water to those in immediate need.
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