Digitalized, user-friendly printing systems are now indispensable in many industries, including the fruit and vegetable sector. Bergheim-based company MARKING AND MORE has been active in the field of industrial product labeling for 25 years and has been operating as a licensee of the Canadian company MapleJet in Europe since 2021. They have now also recognized the application potential in the fruit and vegetable industry. At the recent expoSE in Karlsruhe, the company exhibited for the first time, particularly highlighting the high-tech TIJ HX Nitro printing system. The response was overwhelming, CEO Frank Rüttgers tells us.
At the expoSE, they engaged in discussions with interested parties from southern Germany, as well as France and Switzerland. Rüttgers: "The great thing about this trade fair is that those who were there were actively looking for a solution to their problem. Interestingly, most inquiries did not come from the asparagus and berry sector but from direct marketing. What characterizes this industry is the fact that the products are mostly manually packed but still need a professional appearance, including MHD labeling. This also includes the professional, i.e., the automatic marking of the products, especially in larger quantities. Accordingly, we also exhibited the small band at the fair so that one is able to print smaller to medium batches professionally."
Bergheim-based company MARKING AND MORE looks back on a successful debut at expoSE 2023. They plan to exhibit again this year. Pictured: Michèle Pollnik and CEO Frank Rüttgers.
Ideal printing solution for 'seasonal' products
The aim of the company MARKING AND MORE is to bring so-called low-end solutions to the market. "Due to the low acquisition costs, our solution is ideal for seasonal products that are only harvested and marketed for a few weeks a year, such as asparagus and strawberries. An investment of around 2,500-3,000 EUR is not too excessive and can be refinanced within one season", Rüttgers claims. The printing systems for fruit and vegetables are successfully used by both large packers and medium and small businesses, he adds.
The packaging industry is changing, Rüttgers continues. A variety of packaging types and formats are offered on the shelves of large retail chains. "Consumer behavior is decisive here. As suppliers, we do not dictate trends, but we follow them as best we can. Therefore, the topic is extremely complex and cannot be influenced. Our task is to design our systems so that they can be adapted to various processes."
Printed potato packaging.
Trend towards automation of existing processes
Automation and robotization will continue to accompany agriculture in the coming years, Rüttgers expects. "At the expoSE, we spoke to people who have both feet on the ground and have earthly problems. At the same time, the problem is very individual because there are people who have a love for technology and want to move forward. Those who do not want change, in my opinion, will disappear from the market in the long run. We also had mostly people between the ages of 25 and 45 at the stand. These people know the previous processes but have understood that they inevitably have to reinvent them in order to continue to meet today's market requirements."
Printed To Go packaging.
Photos: MARKING AND MORE
For more information:
Frank Rüttgers
MARKING AND MORE
Kopernikusstraße 13
50126 Bergheim
Tel.: +49 (0) 2271 / 83 83 0 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 2271 / 83 83 0 - 20
Email: info@markingandmore.de
www.markingandmore.de