ZOUTMAN pioneers AI in quality management with Backbone
At ZOUTMAN, quality is not an afterthought but a driver of growth. As one of the first customers of Backbone, a Belgian AI platform for quality management in the food industry, our quality team brings all its information together in one place. The result: faster answers for our customers and more time for what really matters.
Quality as a driver of growth
At ZOUTMAN, quality sits at the top of the agenda. It shapes our reputation, our customers' trust and our day-to-day operations. As we continue to grow internationally, quality is one of the first areas we invest in.
Growth also brings complexity. Our quality team handles a growing number of customer questionnaires, manages certificates and specifications, and keeps track of the requirements of a wide range of international markets. Much of this work is administrative and time-sensitive. On top of that, the information needed was scattered across different systems and formats, so searching, checking and revalidating data cost our experts valuable time.
One platform, the full picture
With Backbone, ZOUTMAN brings all its quality information together in one place. The platform automates compliance checks and supports structured workflows: from customer questionnaires to complaint handling and CAPA, the follow-up of corrective and preventive actions. A clear dashboard shows the team every day what needs attention.
For Quality Manager Sam Quartier, the goal was clear from the start: find information quickly, so customers get an answer faster. As a result, our quality experts spend less time searching and more time improving processes and our food safety culture.
A pioneer in digitalisation and AI
ZOUTMAN has been making a deliberate choice for digital innovation for years. In 2018, we were one of the first Belgian companies to introduce the electronic consignment note (e-CMR). Through our MyZOUTMAN customer portal, customers today find their documents online and always up to date, such as the PPWR declarations of conformity. With Backbone, we are taking the next step: artificial intelligence that supports our quality team in its daily work.
Backbone was founded in 2025 by Louis Opsomer, Siska Lannoo and Julien Steel, the former management team of Ghent-based AI company Henchman. The platform checks quality data against food safety standards such as IFS and BRCGS. ZOUTMAN is one of its first customers. Backbone has since raised 4 million euros to develop the platform further, including AI agents that track certificates, check documents and log incidents. This keeps ZOUTMAN at the forefront of using AI for quality assurance.
What does this mean for you?
For our customers, it means above all speed and reliability. Questionnaires, specifications and certificates are available faster, and every answer is based on a single, central and up-to-date source.
Do you have a question for our quality team? You can reach them at quality@zoutman.com.