With a team of 120 dedicated production employees, the team works daily to process halal meat into nothing less than top quality.
In this blog, our Production Manager Erik Waajen takes you through the daily operations of an essential link within Simons Halal Food: the Production Department.
The journey to high-quality halal meat at Simons Halal Food starts early. At 5 a.m., the first shift begins preparations by placing meat into containers, carefully recording everything, and setting up so the production process can kick off promptly at 6 a.m. From there, the “cutting” team takes over, where the meat is ground, bound, and enriched with a selection of flavorful spices to create the perfect piece of meat.
The processed meat is then precisely measured and filled into casings, ready to proceed to the smoking and cooking department. Once smoked and cooked, the products move to the vacuum-packing department, where they are freshly and securely packaged. These ready-to-go items are then passed through the Quality Assurance and Slicing departments to be packed, labeled, and transported according to customer specifications before finally reaching the consumer.
“It’s a world where precision, timing, and teamwork are essential to keep the process running smoothly,” says Erik Waajen.
At Simons Halal Food, teamwork forms the foundation of our production operations. From early morning to late evening, various departments work hand in hand to tackle challenges and achieve success.
Erik Waajen’s journey began as a traditional butcher and transitioned through a sausage factory to halal production. He has proudly served as Production Manager at Simons Halal Food for 13 years.
As the manager of the department, Erik, alongside his team, ensures the entire production process runs seamlessly. Each morning, Erik leads a stand-up meeting involving sales, planning, production, slicing, vacuum-packing, quality assurance, technical services, and other production areas. These meetings not only address daily targets but also identify and solve obstacles to ensure a smooth workflow. The results speak for themselves: the department proudly reflects on its collective achievements, with the team capable of producing up to 100,000 kilograms of products in a single day during peak periods. This demonstrates the critical role of timing, teamwork, and collaboration.
Hot dogs, garlic sausages, sous-vide meats, premium deli products, and much more. Simons Halal Food produces a wide range of halal meat products daily. What truly sets them apart is their artisanal approach.
In addition to leveraging complex machinery, the team prepares products with passion and craftsmanship, strictly adhering to halal certifications. From carefully using wood chips for authentic flavors in products like sausages to the precise addition of spices and tailoring to specific customer requirements, every detail is meticulously executed. This ensures the Production Department delivers not only the most delicious halal meat but also exceptional craftsmanship in every product that leaves the factory.
What’s the best part of working in the Production Department? According to Erik, it’s the diversity and the opportunity to work with many nationalities. Working at Simons Halal Food offers an engaging and varied experience, with employees representing over 15 different nationalities.
Erik’s ambition is to continue perfecting his role and contributing to Simons Halal Food’s ongoing success. Together with his current team, he’s proud to be part of a strong, motivated, and dynamic group that he hopes to lead for many years to come.
