PC-MAR23-PG50.1_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:55 Page 50


LABELLING & ARTWORK MANAGEMENT THE ART OF MANAGING SHARED ECOSYSTEMS


Bob Tilling, VP of Global Sales at Kallik, explains the value and challenges of developing a shared ecosystem, and how LAM solutions play a critical role in


collaborative success D


eloitte shows that a massive 88% of manufacturers agree it is important to work with outside partners and


vendors to reach their smart manufacturing and digital goals. With supply chains becoming ever more complex, it’s clear to see that collaboration is at a defining moment across the manufacturing industry. A recent analysis of Fortune 500 manufacturers identified that companies with more than 15 strategic alliances as part of a manufacturing ecosystem registered twice the revenue growth, compared with companies with fewer than 15 alliances. Deloitte sees an ecosystems approach as forming a core part of ‘smart manufacturing’ into the future. A manufacturing ecosystem can be simply defined as “different entities coming together in meaningful ways to solve shared challenges and meet shared objectives.”


The manufacturing supply chain is already a complex network of companies and stakeholders, especially in highly regulated sectors such as pharmaceutical, food and beverage and consumer packaged goods. Any manufacturing process and supply chain becomes more complex and intricate when more than one manufacturer is involved. For example, take an international food and beverage organisation specialising in making and selling a variety of cheeses. The company, as part of its growth plans, has very probably acquired other well-known organisations owning many brands within the same sector. Consequently, the organisation will have grown in size and complexity, with potentially thousands of suppliers globally. Managing any such complex manufacturing ecosystem requires a structured system to enable accurate updates and changes to vital processes, and here’s where labelling has a crucial role to play. Ingredient formulations and label artwork must be shared with the right people in the ecosystem at the right time in a seamless and timely manner in order for the ecosystem to live up to its role of a collaborative partnership of organisations


50 MARCH 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL with shared goals.


The already heightened complexity of manufacturing ecosystems is further exacerbated by regulation. Regulatory bodies such as the FDA now require food products to be tracked throughout the manufacturing and distribution processes. Adding more players as part of an ecosystem increases the complexity of building regulations into every stage of the manufacturing process for a particular recipe or formulation.


A controlled real time access and centralised data are essential ingredients of any efficient and safe manufacturing environment. Keeping the information printed on product artwork, labelling and packaging organised and accurate across the ecosystem of manufacturers and partners is vital. There are four areas of a manufacturing ecosystem where key parties will require varying levels of access to critical label and artwork information:


1. Laboratory and key ingredient information The need to share information such as ingredients and recipes while retaining information secrecy is vital in the manufacturing ecosystem.


Throughout the labelling and artwork system, a LAM (labelling and artwork management) system is needed in order to ensure that the most up to date and accurate ingredient information is shared to only the necessary individuals in order to create accurate labels and artwork. 2. Translation agencies


Translation agencies ensure that the necessary product information can be shared to an international audience across often hundreds of product lines. These agencies need access to a LAM software where they can upload information and translations but would only ever be able to see information intended to be translated such as warning phrases – LAM solutions ensure a translation agency see only the information and suggestions they are required to change, and


not for example have access to other recipe formulations.


3. Packaging designers


The use of different materials such as plastic and cardboard during the packaging process can be complex – however, using a single LAM solution can aid the organisations in this partnership to complete design and packaging processes or reflect any changes efficiently.


4. Sub-manufacturers


Ensuring that each sub-manufacturer involved in the end-to-end process in any industry is kept up to date with accurate information and artwork is essential to a smooth-running ecosystem. A LAM solution allows the artwork supplier to update artwork and information at any time and will pass this downstream, to provide only the intended recipients with the most up-to-date version. Any changes made to any artwork or labelling information will be recorded in a log, as required by EU FDA guidelines that require electronic signatures.


LAM solutions keep a single history of the complete lifecycle of the labelling and artwork manufacturing process from translations and packaging design to label and ingredient changes of the product. Barcodes on the packaging can provide further traceability once it’s in a consumer-facing position. LAM solutions provide the manufacturer with complete control of how their critical product information is shared and hidden from different individuals in different processes. The key element is all information is housed in one solution, managed by the parent or lead manufacturing organisation. Through various rules and access controls, each player in the manufacturing ecosystem can update packaging, label and artwork information individually – but all changes are visible and auditable down to the last detail.


Kallik www.kallik.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62