Since the replacement of all its old printers with Allen Coding’s high performance NGT2 thermal transfer systems, the supplier of healthy snacks, nuts, dried fruits, mueslis and herbs and spices, is reporting a 10% increase in production efficiencies.

Country Products uses the NGT2 printers to apply data, including product title, nutritional information, address and legal details, to both the front and back of packaging film produced from polypropylene, polyester or laminate.

Each of Country Products’ five production lines benefit from two NGT2 machines mounted on Gainsborough form fill seal machines. The units are installed on 90° swivel brackets so that they can be easily turned by the operator, both to change thermal transfer ribbons and to move swiftly from one orientation to another for different client films.

Mark Leather, Country Products’ MD, comments: “We have a long-standing relationship with Allen Coding which dates back to the installation of our first automated packing lines. They recommended the NGT2 to strengthen our marking and coding function in line with business growth, the addition of new product ranges, and the need to maximise uptime. 

He continues: “We have gradually replaced all our old printers and the latest four NGT2 thermal transfer systems complete the upgrade. Thanks to Allen Coding’s service team, who are rated as amazing by my team, the switch from our previous printer model has been a simple and hassle free process.”

A wide variety of products are being handled by the vertical form fill seal machines, with packs weighing from 15 to 500g. As a result, the Allen Coding NGT2 printers are operating at speeds up to around 30 packs per minute.

The NGT2 thermal transfer printer offers flexible 2in wide printing and can be easily switched between intermittent (IM) and continuous motion (CM) modes. Capable of printing a range of variable information including bar codes, date codes and serialisation at high speeds, it can be networked via PC or Allen Coding’s a:touch touch screen. 

Leather adds: “The NGT2 thermal transfer printers have proved to be reliable with minimal faults compared to other models. In fact, we can report that the new machines have helped increase production efficiencies by 10%. It is a strong endorsement of Allen Coding’s ability to deliver advanced marking and coding systems designed to meet customers’ exacting requirements.”

With a print area of 53 x 50mm, the NGT2 offers 650 prints per minute (ppm) and boasts a print resolution at 12 dots/mm or 300dpi.

“The sole supplier status with Country Products is further recognition of our engineering expertise and commitment to maintaining high levels of quality, service and on-time delivery,” says Stuart Fenwick, Allen Coding’s regional sales manager (North). “Being part of the Country Products’ supply chain further augments our capabilities in offering reliable and cost effective marking and coding solutions across a variety of food sectors. 

“Allen Coding’s on-going focus on anticipating customers’ needs will help ensure it continues to earn and maintain sole supplier status with many of its customers.”