Award-winning bakery transforms operation using Print & Apply innovation

Award-winning Chatwins Bakery had historically hand-labelled all items, but the practice was restricting operational throughput and growth as well as compromising the quality of labelling. Chatwins were considering setting up label templates for all their products, but operating hundreds of SKU’s, this would be expensive, inefficient and logistically challenging. Chris Hunt, Cobalt Systems UK Sales Manager explained “Chatwins were looking for a trusted partner rather than just an equipment supplier and were recommended to contact us due to our strategic approach.” Another major challenge to the project was the space allowed for installation, with any Print and Apply system needing to fit into an existing line. To combat this, Cobalt specified a GSI compliant, modular high-speed NEXUS Printer Applicator with an integrated conveyor and touch panel HMI machine control. However, the requirement for compact technology was only part of the challenge. Label expertise resolves multiple SKU challenge Having recently undertaken a new branding exercise, it was essential that the labelling was both high quality and accounted for multiple variants across hundreds of SKU’s. Cobalt designed a single attractive label template, which could utilise Chatwin's database to automatically enable all specific data to reside on each label. This alone saved Chatwins an enormous amount of time, money and complexity. Partner approach delivers powerful results Edward Chatwin, Managing Director of Chatwins, commented “From start to finish we have been well supported and guided. Cobalt engineers have been like an extension to our team, which has been invaluable, enabling an all-encompassing solution that has paid dividends for the business." The result is that Chatwins can now offer a wider range of products using a more efficient and effective labelling operation saving them £18,000 per annum and delivering an ROI in just 12 months.

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