Markem’s Integrated Solution for Spuds

Major Belgian potato processor, Lutosa-Van den Broeke, has dramatically improved the quality and efficiency of its coding and labelling processes by installing a completely integrated Markem solution across its 35 packaging lines.

Markem’s Composer and CimControl software enables full integration all of the company’s coding and labelling machines in one network. All systems operate on-line with the company database, and coding information is automatically uploaded and updated every two minutes.

The latest addition to the plant is a series of Markem’s Cimjet label printer-applicators which have been installed to increase flexibility, help meet stringent customer demands guarantee compliance with traceability legislation.

Every year Lutosa-Van den Broeke processes over 500,000 tonnes of potatoes, converting them into products such as potato flakes and French fries. With a dozen production lines, 35 packaging lines, and over 85% of its produce exported, coding plays a vital role for the company for product identification, best before dates, batch numbers and barcodes.

Jacques Tilleul, project manager for Lutosa-Van den Broeke says: “Flexibility is crucial if we are to satisfy the wishes of our customers, who are becoming more and more demanding. We have to be able to adapt easily, and cater for change. For example requests for codes in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian are becoming increasingly popular. Markem’s solutions allow us this flexibility.

“Traceability will play a prominent role in the future of coding. With latest legislation we have been obliged to adapt our coding. In addition to coding our pallets, we are required to put EAN 128 barcodes on our boxes".

Markem and Lutosa-Van den Broeke have enjoyed an excellent working partnership ever since Markem transformed the company’s coding operations almost a decade ago. The coding and labelling experts replaced an antiquated manual system with an advanced automated network of SmartDate thermal transfer coders linked to the company database.

Tilleul says: “From that moment on we were able to manage the machines in real time without any manual interventions. This was a huge progress, and the beginning of intelligent coding.”

When the food producer later sought a replacement for its inkjet case printers it adopted Markem’s 5000 Series Hot Melt Ink Jet Case Printers, drawn by their superior print quality, and because they were the first coding systems that could transmit on-line.

Markem’s Cimjet label printer applicators print and apply labels directly onto boxes, cartons and pallets. Their rugged, durable construction and compact design help deliver extremely reliable performance and reduce downtime. The printer applicators offer labelling options including high-speed application of small labels and top, adjacent-side or wrap around labelling on cases and cartons.

SmartDate coders use thermal transfer technology to deliver high quality printing on flexible packaging films, foils and cartons. They offer the most reliable solution for continuous and intermittent operations.

Markem’s 5000 Series hot melt ink jet case printers print 100% scannable bar codes, crisp text for real time information, and high resolution images on-line, for secondary case and carton packaging applications. Using Markem’s proven Touch Dry solvent-free inks, users can print multiple sides simultaneously and operate up to four printheads with one controller.

Cimjet label on a box