Earlier this month, Matthews took part in the “Grow National” program, helping to educate food & beverage manufacturers on a range of essential topics around labelling and coding practices crucial to the Australian market.
Run by the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN), Grow National is a pathway for food, beverage and agribusinesses in the start-up and scale-up journey, aimed at building capability and networks at all levels to grow into sustainable, profitable enterprises. The program has two phases: “Seed to Sprout” followed by “Ready and Ripe”, with Matthews presenting at the latter – a 10-week intensive program designed for established businesses looking to scale their distribution, production and market access beyond their current operations.
Braydon Cocks, our Sales Product Specialist – iDSnet & LPA Solutions (which covers integration and labelling), along with National Business Development Manager Boyd Rose and Sales Engineer Tim Naylor, were on the Sunshine Coast to deliver the presentation to a niche group of F&B manufacturers.
Braydon said, “The presentation went well, there was lots of engagement and interest in iDSnet Cloud, Matthews’ free online labelling tool to ensure the right label is printed at the right time, every time, and the ‘Elreid handheld’, as the Edding Portable is commonly known, which is designed for high-speed applications requiring 2D barcodes printing.
“The attendees used this thermal inkjet to print their name onto a GS1 pen. It was a great opportunity for us to show our industry engagement and trusted advisor status.”
He said during the interactive session, Matthews talked to participants about coding and labelling practices crucial to the Australian market, including:
Braydon said the impact of Matthews’ presentation at the Grow National program extends beyond the immediate engagement of participants.
“By educating attendees on the latest in labelling and coding practices, our aim is to help elevate the standards of the Australian food & beverage industry. Using simple, yet advanced tools such as iDSnet and the Elried Portable equipment provides manufacturing businesses with the resources to improve efficiency, accuracy and traceability in their operations.”
Participants left the workshop with a better understanding of how to meet barcode requirements, implement 2D barcodes in their supply chains, and avoid common pitfalls that lead to product recalls.
“This knowledge is crucial for ensuring that food & beverage products are safe, correctly labelled and easily traceable – ultimately protecting consumers and enhancing brand trust.”
Braydon said the positive feedback on the day underscored Matthews as a trusted advisor, able to provide best-in-class equipment and free industry education.
“In doing this, Matthews supports the growth and development of the F&B sector, reinforcing our status as a go-to expert for labelling and coding solutions.
“The Grow National program, supported by FAN, is a platform for fostering innovation and collaboration within the industry, and we were proud to be able to present as part of the 10-week course.”
The membership-based FAN is a not-for-profit cluster organisation with members spanning the entire food and agribusiness value chain across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie and beyond. With some 380 member business members within the network, FAN is one of the fastest-growing food industry clusters in Australia.
Participants in the Grow National ‘Ripe and Ready’ 10-week intensive.