Seventy years ago, in post-war Japan, Shota Saraya invented the first liquid soap in a dispenser. Today, the company is a global leader in health and hygiene products. Saraya Australia director Leon McIndoe talked to Kim Berry at the Food & Drink Business Media Hub at foodpro about the business.
At the core of hand hygiene company Saraya’s operations is the mission to provide sanitation, protect the environment, and protect people’s health.
McIndoe said, “Its philosophy ‘connect through life’ drives the whole company. When Shota Saraya established the businesss, he made sure his right-hand person was the head of R&D, not an accountant or lawyer. He wanted someone next to him who could work with the mindset of ‘how can we make this better’.”
Australian first
McIndoe joined Saraya when it launched in Australia in 2007, and introduced the country to foam soap in a sealed bottle that was suitable for food-grade applications.
“It was hand sanitising technology that Australian regulations didn’t have a standard for. We had to go through all manner of tests, which proved its claims and was declared safe to eat. We were behind the creation of the category for no rinse sanitisers.”
At foodpro, Saraya had its new boot sanitising unit and the latest Saraya Sanistar on display.
“The Sanistar is a tank of slightly acidic water which kills the nasties on your fresh food and fish, which doesn’t break down the membrane on the food, can extend shelf life by 25 per cent and is tasteless.”
McIndoe says the boot sanitiser doesn’t require any capital costs and can be transported easily. A worker simply steps their food onto the unit, presses down, and is sprayed with disinfectant, “so you don’t tread listeria from one end of the factory to another”.
Public Hygiene is still the driving force of the business,but as the company has grown so has its scope, moving into health care and food processing, its most well-known venture being Lakanto – a natural sugar alternative.
