Challenge

A global manufacturer of industrial maintenance equipment approached Coridian due to complications with label adhesion. Their current serial plate labels, in use for 10 years, adhered well to injection molded plastic and painted surfaces, but not to the rotomolded casings they began manufacturing several years ago. The textured surface of rotomolded plastic caused the serial plate labels to peel off once the equipment was in the field. This meant the manufacturer could no longer determine whether certain pieces of equipment were covered by warranty or easily identify what parts were needed for repairs. They estimate more than $100,000 in free repairs were completed on equipment that was likely out of warranty.

Solution

Coridian collaborated with the manufacturer to identify their unique needs, at what point the labels were failing, and what they envisioned for the future. Coridian then worked with Research and Development to test various label materials for accelerated environmental wear with all 3 of the manufacturer’s base materials. A high tack, silver polyester material was determined to be the best all-around fit for the customer’s needs. In addition, 6 Zebra ZT600 series printers and resin ribbons were chosen to print the serial labels in-house.

Results

The result was 3 different custom labels specifically created to work with each of the manufacturer’s base materials. They are now able to properly track and identify each piece of equipment produced—saving innumerable man-hours attempting to identify parts for repair or whether equipment is covered by warranty. Improved customer satisfaction, internal processes, and labor costs have convinced the manufacturer to roll out Coridian’s solution to a second plant in 2019.

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