Australian label barcoding specialist Peacock Bros has released a complete “starter kit” developed for Woolworths fresh produce suppliers to comply with the latest EAN-UCC logistics pallet labelling requirements.
The starter kit comprises a robust barcode printer, the required labels, the appropriate barcoding software and a pre-formatted EAN-UCC label.
By January 2005, all suppliers of Woolworth’s fresh produce will be required to label each pallet with a unique barcode labelling format recently developed by EAN Australia on standard pallets or Chep Returnable Plastic Crates (RPCs), according to Steven Ciran, Peacock Bros’ national reseller manager.
“For most, this will be the first time they have used barcodes and with very specific formatting and content, the transition will be difficult without outside assistance from companies such as Peacock Bros,” he said.
“The Starter Kit is a pre-configured, low cost, sturdy and capable pallet labelling system that will function reliably in rural store houses and enclosures.
“Once the supplier obtains its company identification number from EAN, the kit contains everything needed and will be distributed and supported by the Peacock Bros network of resellers local to the industry and trained in manufacturing the correct labels and unique barcodes.
“Rather than the deployment of this solution being facilitated from our Metropolitan branches, we have chosen to use our localized rural resellers to work with producers because they understand their business.
“This will provide the best possible outcome for the producer,” Ciran said.
The kit sold for well below the combined cost of purchasing each component separately and the pre-formatted label design was included at no extra cost, making the solution not only easy to implement but well below retail prices, he claimed.