LABELLING IN LOGISTICS
On track for success Labels have become a vital part of the logistics industry as customers increasingly want to see where their products are at any point in the delivery chain. With this trend only going one way, it is a good market for resellers to get involved in.
The global logistics industry was worth more than $14 trillion in 2022, and analysts agree that it is only going to grow in the coming years, especially as ecommerce continues to grow, buoyed by the global pandemic. But with such a large industry, it is imperative that everything gets to its end destination and, increasingly, labels are playing a vital role in this – especially with the digitisation of many businesses. This means resellers play an important role in supplying the labelling technology logistics businesses need. “As logistics has become more complex and digitised, labels have gained in importance,” says Moritz Weisbrodt, CEO of Alaiko. “Firstly, for the supply chain, as pallets and shipments need to be well labelled to track them along the way. Storage in the warehouse is another area where labels are essential, for example for the management and correct storing of incoming goods. Labelling facilitates LOT management and batch tracking and helps to ensure that first- in-first-out principles are adhered to. Modern storage and picking solutions using robotics in the warehouse rely on barcoded labels to scan items to store them in the right place or deliver them to the right packing station.” Labels then play a critical role in order fulfilment, Moritz adds. “This ensures that the right order is shipped to the right customer
and that the package’s journey can be tracked along the way,” he says. “This tracking information can then be used to inform customers about their orders proactively via email or on demand via tracking pages. Reverse logistics, or returns, has become a huge part of the e-commerce world and only works well if there are good labelling practices in place.” Moritz adds that the market is evolving, and supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. “This makes it vital for companies and logistics providers to keep track of the movement of goods,” he says. “Customers are becoming more demanding when it comes to online ordering – brands and logistics companies need to keep up. Technology is the answer. “Customers want their orders delivered quickly and they want to know where their package is at all times. Without automation and tech-first fulfilment, mistakes can happen. Misplaced orders, wrong deliveries and delays can lead to frustrated customers and damage your reputation. With the use of technology, errors can be minimised and orders can be tracked and managed effectively. Labelling is an important element in all logistics processes, from inventory management to order processing and shipping. For example, labels enable the real-time tracking and updates that customers have come to love.” E-commerce shift Mikhaila Corbett-Hassit, marketing executive at Toshiba Tec, adds that the world is more interconnected than ever. “Over the last few years, we have seen the huge impact that disruption and external pressures can have on the logistics industry,” she says. “Accurate labelling helps prevent bottlenecks from grinding global supply chains to a halt, maintaining a smooth flow of goods as much as possible. Their role in facilitating accurate tracking, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance is vital, ultimately maximising visibility and minimising the risk of errors
Moritz Weisbrodt CEO
alaiko.com
Modern storage and “
picking solutions using robotics in the warehouse rely on barcoded labels to scan items to store them in the right place or deliver them to the right packing station.
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