LABELLING FOR 3PL BUSINESSES
“As fulfilment operations become faster and more complex, labels are
Javier López, VP of marketing at OKI Europe Ltd, agrees that labelling is becoming increasingly important in 3PL as businesses look for ways to improve speed, accuracy and efficiency across increasingly automated operations. “Labels are no longer simply a way to identify a parcel. They can carry barcodes, QR codes, routing information, handling instructions and other variable data that helps goods move through the supply chain with fewer errors,” he says. Trends There are various labelling trends among 3PL businesses currently. One of the clearest is the move towards more flexible, on demand label production, notes Javier. “3PL providers often manage large numbers of customers, products and delivery requirements, so the ability to produce short runs and change label content quickly is increasingly valuable,” he says. “Colour can also help operators identify products, destinations, priorities or handling requirements immediately. “At the same time, labelling is becoming more closely connected with traceability. The printed label can act as the physical link between an item and the digital information associated with it. OKI’s go to market proposition includes the Evidnt traceability platform, developed by Tongadive, which helps businesses connect physical items with digital records and improve visibility throughout the supply chain.” Deyon adds that while traditional barcode labels remain the industry standard, demand is growing for smarter labels that support greater visibility and automation. “RFID labels are gaining momentum because they can be read without line-of- sight and enable faster tracking of items, cartons and pallets,” he says. “At the same time, the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative is accelerating interest in 2D barcodes such as QR Codes and DataMatrix, which can carry significantly
evolving from simple identifiers into data carriers that drive visibility, traceability and operational efficiency. In automated environments, label quality directly impacts productivity, making reliable printing and barcode accuracy essential to maintaining throughput and minimising costly errors.” Jeremie Brocas, sales manager France at Bixolon Europe GmbH, adds that by 2027, Statista forecasts the 3PL market will exceed $13.7 trillion. “Clearly, there is immense opportunity for fulfilment organisations to thrive,” he says. “However, with many 3PLs facing ongoing staffing shortages, automation technologies are becoming increasingly important in helping organisations manage operations efficiently and capitalise on this growth. Barcode scanners and label printers form a critical part of this technology ecosystem, helping to keep warehouses organised and goods moving through the supply chain. “As automation increases, effective labelling is becoming even more essential for maintaining the traceability of goods throughout the fulfilment process. Label printers produce labels containing key information, including 1D and 2D codes, in line with the requirements of manufacturers, retailers and shipping companies. These labels are applied to pallets, boxes and stock as goods are unpacked, delivered and moved through the supply chain. “Crucially, these codes carry information
Contributors
Deyon Antoine
toshibatec.co.uk
Jeremie Brocas
bixoloneu.com
L
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that aligns with order management systems, warehouse management
Javier López
systems (WMS) and transport management systems. They provide a single source of truth that barcode scanners can work from, enabling different systems to communicate and helping the supply chain remain organised. As 3PLs increasingly embrace automation, ensuring labels are high- quality, readable and reliably scannable is therefore critical.”
oki.com
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printinthechannel.co.uk
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