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Fresh Produce Label Printing

AusFresh

INDUSTRY FRESH PRODUCE
PRODUCT CARTON PRINT-AND-APPLY SYSTEM & iDSNET INTEGRATION SOFTWARE

Background

AusFresh is one of Australia’s leading antipasto manufacturers and distributors. Established in 1994 as a small operation by the late Fermo Marchetti — a pioneer in Australia’s continental smallgoods trade — today the company supplies retailers, wholesalers and food service vendors around Australia.

 

Situation

Despite sending volumes of goods nationwide, AusFresh was still hand labelling cartons.

In a highly manually intensive process, one person printed 5,000 to 7,000 labels a day with product information and TUN barcodes on a desktop printer. Needing to stand there the entire time to remove printed rolls and wind them manually.

That worker would then hand labels to another operator, who applied the batch code and use- by date with a date-gun.

These labels were then applied, two labels to each box, front and side.

The manual-only process had high risk of human error, including the wrong label being printed or a permanent label design accidentally changed when creating temporary label formats.

AusFresh wanted to automate carton labelling, remove the high reliance on manual labour, free up workers for other tasks and increase efficiency.

 

Process Needs

As part of the solution, AusFresh wanted to be able to remotely select labels (for packaging, trays, product and cartons), without operators necessarily being near the labeller.

The carton-labelling system also needed to be able to print and apply labels to adjacent sides of a carton

 

Business Needs

AusFresh wanted a solution that could be integrated with its existing primary product labeller, the new carton coder and, in the future, be able to be integrated into its SSCC pallet labeller.

Print quality on the carton label needed to be excellent, for smooth product flow through the supply chain and professionalism.

Solution

After researching several options, AusFresh chose Matthews and its solutions, finding the carton coder more compact and easier to use than others and the knowledge of Matthews’ staff excellent.

AusFresh installed a FOX IV carton print and apply system, iDSnet integration software and iDSnet Portal on Matthews Australia’s recommendation. The coding specialist then integrated the carton print and apply system (a Label Printer Applicator (LPA)) and AusFresh’s existing Bizerba labeller.

The LPA sits at the end of the packing line, just before the taping machine.

The iDSnet packaging automation software selects the required label, and automatically provides best before data. It also monitors the Bizerba’s status.

Using the iDSnet Portal, operators can remotely select labels with iDSnet — including via smart phones and tablets — without going near the coders. As well as initiating product changeovers for its integrated coding and labelling devices, the straightforward web interface also gives AusFresh a simple view of activity on its production lines.

Outcome

On top of the automation improving accuracy, AusFresh has also achieved big productivity gains, saving a person a day between the two functions of a worker at the printer and one overprinting with the date-gun.

This has resulted in a far better use of labour and reduced pressure. Previously, boxes with missed labels meant the line had to be stopped, losing productivity.

With all its coding equipment integrated, AusFresh can do up to 7,000 labels a day, knowing they are all accurate and it’s the best use of the company’s resources.

The smooth, hassle-free commissioning also impressed AusFresh, with training and support exceeding their expectations.

“I chose Matthews because of their reputation... the staff, no matter whether they’re the tech people, the software people, whoever ... everybody knows what’s going on. It made such a difference.”

— Leo Soccio, General Manager, AusFresh

AUSFRESH

INDUSTRY:FRESH PRODUCE
APPLICATION:PRODUCT INFORMATION & TUN BARCODES
TECHNOLOGY:LABEL PRINTER APPLICATOR + INTEGRATION SOFTWARE & REAL-TIME PERFORMANCE MONITORING
PRODUCTS:CARTON PRINT-AND-APPLY SYSTEM & iDSNET INTEGRATION SOFTWARE
Carton Labeller

BACKGROUND

AusFresh is one of Australia’s leading antipasto manufacturers and distributors. Established in 1994 as a small operation by the late Fermo Marchetti — a pioneer in Australia’s continental smallgoods trade — today the company supplies retailers, wholesalers and food service vendors around Australia.

SITUATION

Despite sending volumes of goods nationwide, AusFresh was still hand labelling cartons.

In a highly manually intensive process, one person printed 5,000 to 7,000 labels a day with product information and TUN barcodes on a desktop printer. Needing to stand there the entire time to remove printed rolls and wind them manually.

That worker would then hand labels to another operator, who applied the batch code and useby date with a date-gun.

These labels were then applied, two labels to each box, front and side.

The manual-only process had high risk of human error, including the wrong label being printed or a permanent label design accidentally changed when creating temporary label formats.

AusFresh wanted to automate carton labelling, remove the high reliance on manual labour, free up workers for other tasks and increase efficiency.

PROCESS NEEDS

As part of the solution, AusFresh wanted to be able to remotely select labels (for packaging, trays, product and cartons), without operators necessarily being near the labeller.

The carton-labelling system also needed to be able to print and apply labels to adjacent sides of a carton.

Coding Rules For Fresh Produce

BUSINESS NEEDS

AusFresh wanted a solution that could be integrated with its existing primary product labeller, the new carton coder and, in the future, be able to be integrated into its SSCC pallet labeller.

Print quality on the carton label needed to be excellent, for smooth product flow through the supply chain and professionalism.

SOLUTION

After researching several options, AusFresh chose Matthews and its solutions, finding the carton coder more compact and easier to use than others and the knowledge of Matthews’ staff excellent.

AusFresh installed a FOX IV carton print and apply system, iDSnet integration software and iDSnet Portal on Matthews Australia’s recommendation. The coding specialist then integrated the carton print and apply system (a Label Printer Applicator (LPA)) and AusFresh’s existing Bizerba labeller.

The Label print and apply machine sits at the end of the packing line, just before the taping machine.

The iDSnet packaging automation software selects the required label, and automatically provides best before data. It also monitors the Bizerba’s status.

Using the iDSnet Portal, operators can remotely select labels with iDSnet — including via smart phones and tablets — without going near the coders. As well as initiating product changeovers for its integrated coding and labelling devices, the straightforward web interface also gives AusFresh a simple view of activity on its production lines.

Carton Labels

OUTCOME

On top of the automation improving accuracy, AusFresh has also achieved big productivity gains, saving a person a day between the two functions of a worker at the printer and one overprinting with the date-gun.

This has resulted in a far better use of labour and reduced pressure. Previously, boxes with missed labels meant the line had to be stopped, losing productivity.

With all its coding equipment integrated, AusFresh can do up to 7,000 labels a day, knowing they are all accurate and it’s the best use of the company’s resources.

The smooth, hassle-free commissioning also impressed AusFresh, with training and support exceeding their expectations.

“I chose Matthews because of their reputation… the staff, no matter whether they’re the tech people, the software people, whoever … everybody knows what’s going on. It made such a difference.”

— Leo Soccio, General Manager, AusFresh

“We’ve saved a person a day between the two functions of the person at the printer and the one overprinting with the date-gun. Not only is that a far better use of labour, it’s reduced the pressure.”

— Leo Soccio, General Manager, AusFresh

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