FORKLIFT TRUCKS
FOOD & BEVERAGE AUTOMATION IS KEY TO DELIVERING
THE CORRECT INGREDIENTS A
combination of staff shortages, Natasha’s Law and the need to improve fulfilment speed and accuracy are driving the pace of automation in warehouses. Labelling is a crucial but mundane task. So, is it time to move away from too much reliance on human assistance for this repetitive process? It is now a legal requirement for food businesses
to provide full ingredients lists and allergen labelling on foods packaged for sale on the premises. When dealing with high volumes of labels per day it only takes one oversight to slip through the net and you have a potential risk for the consumer. Automated labelling systems can prevent sleepless nights!
INGREDIENTS MUST BE IN PLAIN SIGHT
To ensure consumers’ trust in what they are purchasing, detailed information must be clearly visible on labels. They also have to carry a descriptive name, for example, cheese and pickle sandwich, while all label and ingredient information should be clearly legible, using regulation font size. This legal requirement was enforced following the introduction last year of Natasha’s Law. Software exists that automatically highlights any allergens for compliance with the law. For example, if a supplier adds spices for a ready meal, labels will need checking and amending accordingly, to remove risk. Using an automated system helps with substitutions. Also, consideration has to be given to how the labels are being used. Is the product being supplied for the oven or is the food frozen, with the risk of the adhesive failing? One solution does not fit all.
We have seen demand for automated labelling solutions shoot up with manufacturers looking to boost productivity. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to eCommerce to keep up with this growth and to compete effectively across multiple market sectors. Automation is no longer just a competitive advantage - more so a safety necessity for many businesses.
There are systems that offer in-line verification when printing barcode labels to make sure they will scan properly at their delivery point. Any defective label is overprinted and a replacement reprinted without manual intervention. The end result is the elimination of rejected deliveries, food is not compromised and there are no costly charge backs and fines for non-conforming labels.
BARCODE VERIFICATION Phil Swinn, Special Projects Manager at Thermal Printer Support Ltd (TPS), the UK’s leading specialist supplier of thermal transfer printers, explains: “Barcode validators take many forms. Sometimes they are built into label printers and verifying as labels print, or maybe in-line and mounted near the conveyor to check barcodes on the production line. As a solution barcode verification is faster, less expensive and less prone to human error.” Improving fulfilment speed and accuracy are driving the pace of automation and robot adoption throughout the supply chain. Finding, hiring and keeping employees is proving problematic as there are now not as many people going into manufacturing and distribution as in the past, because of the historical requirement for shift work
versus people’s desire for a better work/life balance. Automation is the buzzword for integrated warehousing solutions, materials handling, packaging and transportation. Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) in large distribution centres are transforming the industry but you still may still have a similar amount of human input due to both the software and mechanical equipment service/ maintenance involved.
Meanwhile, robotisation is ideal for highly- regularised environments operating repeat processes, but in many circumstances the irregularity of sizes, weights and often unreliable or variable quality of supplier products will fox the current levels of AI. As soon as you get a non- standard item you will probably need a human to sort it. Rather than labour saving it is more like an exchange of labour.
THE WORKPLACE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING
Many businesses are looking to implement advanced warehouse management systems to meet customer demand with fewer employees, such as cloud accessibility of equipment. The latest labelling systems support this with a PC and mobile app to control label applicators from anywhere, anytime. Real-time calculation of labelling autonomy will let you know before production stops so you can replenish media more quickly, thus increasing efficiency. Human interventions are few and far between so an automated applicator or print & apply system will likely pay for itself very quickly making it a great investment.
The latest printing innovations make light work of creating complex labels. They are suitable as a single standalone application or as a network package. A range of comprehensive features reduces the risk of input errors and time-wasting duplication of data. There is no requirement to manually interact with the data, taking away the risk of missing key information when there is a whole list of things to display – saving time as well as potentially saving lives.
The print industry has been supporting businesses for decades with the equipment, labelling guidance and sector-specific advice they need to implement any changes. For example, there are around two million people living with food allergies in the UK. If improving the clarity of information and efficiency on labelling can prevent tragic deaths, that can only be a positive thing.
Thermal Printer Support Ltd
www.thermalprintersupport.com
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | SEPTEMBER 2022 25
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