Chilean Company Developing More Reliable Labels to Support New COOL Requirements

Colorama, a Chilean graphic company, has developed new more reliable labels for the fresh produce industry and in perfect timing to assist North American companies with the need to implement new Country of Origin Labeling requirements.


Over recent years, Colorama has witnessed increasing problems with labels staying put or holding up during international transit. "We have been called on numerous times to help fix problems caused by lesser-quality labels which look great when they leave Chile but don’t perform under the circumstances presented by fresh produce shipping", says Francisco Langlois, General Manager of Colorama. "In many countries, this becomes a major financial issue since receivers will not accept the product if it is not properly labeled."



With the impending implementation of Country of Origin (COOL) requirements in the U.S. marketplace, reliable labels are of even greater importance. "If an importer or shipper is labeling product to meet government or consumer requirements they want to be sure those labels will make it all the way through the chain", says Langlois.  "Cost-effective implementation of COOL has made the whole labeling issue even more pertinent.  If the investment in labeling is made in the shipping country, but then some product has to be re-labeled at receiving point, either the shipper or receiver pays double."

"Our commitment to the export industry is to continue developing new and high quality labels for the challenging global business we face", Langlois adds. "Fresh fruit logistics are extremely important in assuring fruit from the Southern Cone arrives in perfect condition to the market. However, also crucial is for importers, distributors and retailers of Chilean fresh fruit to be sure the fruit will have reliable and durable labels, meeting not only the requirements of authorities but also their customers' needs."

Colorama labels are guaranteed from six months to one year depending on transportation and environment conditions. Colorama innovation and research has enabled to them use and development the last available label technology including paper, glue etc, importing them from abroad which allow them to assure their labels.



The high profile UK supermarket chain ASDA has for years demanded their suppliers use Colorama products for their experience, service and reliability, and ISO certification, reflecting their quality and eco-friendly process. "We pride ourselves on running an efficient, productive, yet socially-responsible operation", says Langlois. "As part of our core business, we are involved with the development of the community where our facility is located, as well as very concerned with the protection of the environment."

Their reputation and more than 20 years of experience was recently evidenced by the use of their labels in Disney Fresh Fruit programs through companies such as Subsole and Kopke in the U.S.  Additionally, an estimated 20 percent of all adhesive labels from Chile are from Colorama. Other local customers include Walmart, Unifrutti, Subsole, ASDA, David del Curto, Exportadora Río Blanco, and others.

While the company has a fully-integrated production plant in Santiago, their pursuit of innovation and efficiency has led to a partnership with important international suppliers, worldwide, in their quest of the best papers and glue. In fact, UPM Raflatac (North America) in Fletcher, NC, part of International Paper Company, UPM, has had a longstanding agreement with Colorama on pressure sensitive labelstock for 17 years. This long-term partnership has proven to be beneficial for both companies.

"Our partnership with Colorama allows them to increase their capacity, shorten their production time and to continue to improve their products for the export industry" says Javier Palomares, Sales Director, Latin America. Colorama is dedicated to marketing printing alternatives, such as offset, flexography, hot stamping, digital printing, thermo transferred labels and high quality self-adhesive labels for the food industry.

For more information:
www.colorama.cl

Publication date: 10/7/2008

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