11 replies to this topic

[The Food Scientist]

Hi everyone, not sure if this is the proper area.

 

When we receive raw material, we give each pallet a label that has all info as in supplier, lot #, date of receipt...etc and allergens are given a different color. Now the only problem here is that these labels are sheets of normal papers that they just stick on the pallets with tape. Now with time, when they want to take a few cases from these pallets, these labels get lost or torn and some pallets end up with no receiving label. I'd like suggestions on whats a better method? Perhaps stickers that can stick? At a previous company we did do stickers on every case of received product on the pallet, but I figured it takes more time for them here and I guess it costs more.  What is everyone doing? We are SQF Quality. Thank you!

[jperri]

Hello!

 

We had a similar problem. What we do now is put the label on the bottom of the pallet (even underneath the wrapping if possible) so that way when people want to unwrap and take from the top of the pallet, the label is safe at the bottom. In our experience, it goes untouched until the pallet is all used up. It has seemed to work for us so far.

 

Hope this helps!

[The Food Scientist]

Hello!

 

We had a similar problem. What we do now is put the label on the bottom of the pallet (even underneath the wrapping if possible) so that way when people want to unwrap and take from the top of the pallet, the label is safe at the bottom. In our experience, it goes untouched until the pallet is all used up. It has seemed to work for us so far.

 

Hope this helps!

 

At the bottom as in having it underneath the cases? Could you clarify a little more? Would it still be visible to any auditor/inspector? 

[arahman]

I ran into something similar but when shipping. Customers would complain they wouldn't receive labels. We had sticker labels but when they would take the shrink wrap off, the sticker would come off or those lower quality stickers would peel off during transportation due to humidity.

 

We changed to a higher quality sticker though more expensive.

 

You could also have the lables/stickers affixed to the bottom left corner of each pallet.

 

 

On a different note, when you scan the barcode using a RF gun, all the info you mentioned will come up correct?

So even if you lose a label during storage can you scan the location barcode and get the info?

[jperri]

At the bottom as in having it underneath the cases? Could you clarify a little more? Would it still be visible to any auditor/inspector? 

 

Yes it is still visible to auditors and employees.

 

If you are looking at the pallet, we put the label at the bottom corner instead of just anywhere. When the employees begin to take from it they unwrap the top half leaving the bottom untouched.

[SQFconsultant]

Using a card stock (about 1"x2") with all pertinent info on the card along with a barcode. This card is inserted into a clear plastic skeave that is superglued to the pallet - the card stock contains basic info for visual reading. It is the barcode when scanned that reveals a great deal more and is linked into tracking, inventory, accounting etc. Pallets are colored for allergens - a barcode sticker is on every case.

[The Food Scientist]

Using a card stock (about 1"x2") with all pertinent info on the card along with a barcode. This card is inserted into a clear plastic skeave that is superglued to the pallet - the card stock contains basic info for visual reading. It is the barcode when scanned that reveals a great deal more and is linked into tracking, inventory, accounting etc. Pallets are colored for allergens - a barcode sticker is on every case.

 

Sadly, this company I work at haven't been there yet in using barcodes linking the info. We'll get there after actually letting those label stay on those pallets! 

 

I like the idea..but won't that sleeve that's super glued on the pallet wear out with time? With all the movements of the pallets?

Edited by The Food Scientist, 28 August 2019 - 02:46 PM.

[QAGB]

Sadly, this company I work at haven't been there yet in using barcodes linking the info. We'll get there after actually letting those label stay on those pallets! 

 

I like the idea..but won't that sleeve that's super glued on the pallet wear out with time? With all the movements of the pallets?

 I have to think that they would wear out over time, but you would find less torn labels or missing labels than what you are experiencing now. As such, I'd still consider it an upgrade.

[pHruit]

A4 sticky-backed labels work well for us - large enough to accommodate a font size that is readable from the floor for most of the racking, and as the whole back is adhesive it really is pretty good at clinging to the wrap even as it gets pulled around in use.
As others have noted, placing towards the bottom of the pallet means it doesn't get disturbed as people pick from the top of the pallet.
We use a secondary coloured label for allergens.

 

An approach I'm seeing with more customers is simply avoiding doing it themselves by making it their suppliers' problem - basically saying that the pallets already need to be labelled according to their exact warehouse requirements or they will be rejected.
It's a pain to manage as the supplier because they all have different requirements (we're saying no to a lot of them), but if you're a very large business then you could give it a go - money makes it harder to say no to even the more awkward customer requirements

[The Food Scientist]

Okay so I came up with actually putting stickers (not A4 size), now if its up high or on the second rack we will not be able to see it. Does it being completely visible to an auditor/inspector very important? I figured the A4 stickers may be pricey? 

[QAGB]

Okay so I came up with actually putting stickers (not A4 size), now if its up high or on the second rack we will not be able to see it. Does it being completely visible to an auditor/inspector very important? I figured the A4 stickers may be pricey? 

 

Not so much important for auditors, but maybe important for your own team. I absolutely detest going into a warehouse and not being able to see important information. At the very least, you could have your employees write the item code and lot code on the wrap, so that much is visible. Those are really important pieces. Plus your tags are color coded it seems, so the color code allows your warehouse team to know where to store things.

 

The other information can be secured when the pallets are pulled down for production, so I don't think that part is a problem.

[The Food Scientist]

I actually found good adhesive A4s! Not so costly. Couldn't find colored ones so we will be putting these dot colored stickers to tell them apart :)  Hope it works! Thanks everyone :)