Matthews is Australia’s largest and most successful coding, labelling and traceability company.
“Our capabilities include applying simple alpha-numeric codes by small stand-alone printers, right through to designing and installing networked hardware and software systems for highly sophisticated, multi-faceted needs,” says national sales and marketing manager Phil Biggs.
Biggs tells Packaging magazine that his company’s mission is to alleviate labelling, coding and marking ‘hassles’, while bringing greater business intelligence to a company.
“With integration driving every Matthews effort, our aim is to solve problems and increase efficiencies and productivity, hence profits, for our customers,” he says.
“We do this with leading-edge product and software, plus technical service, which inherently includes knowledge."
"This trio must go together, hand in hand."
"Technically, to remain at the top, we regularly attend international trade exhibitions and conferences, such as Taiwan RFID Expo, Packexpo and Interpack,” Biggs says.
“But to be the best, we need more than just having the top technologies and integration capabilities: it’s about looking beyond our business and our customers’ businesses."
"We do that by being part of various industry associations — it helps keep us ahead of the game.”
“For example, we were the first marking and coding company to be a GS1 Strategic Alliance Partner."
"We’re members of Electronic Product Code (EPC) Australia, committee members of Automatic Data Capture Australia and a board member of the Australian Packaging Machinery Association.”
“For us, being a part of these associations is important. Their aims are to develop and maintain standards and education in the market place, which jells with Matthews’ business philosophies.”
Asked about its most recent innovations, Biggs points to the development of inkjet printing and software solutions that have been patented in several international locations.
“Our heavy R&D focus has seen us develop capabilities such as laser marking bar codes on cartons and being able to use laser coding on flexible film — packaging common in the snackfoods industry,” he says.
“We first demonstrated marking bar codes on cartons at last year’s Auspack."
"It drew immense interest, not least of which was for the very positive cost implications. The laser marks a high quality bar code, plus uses no consumables to do so.”
“Matthews will launch the Linx 6900 Solver at the AIP National Conference,” Biggs says.
“This highly efficient continuous inkjet (CIJ) coder uses a new ink system and specially created intelligent software to ‘think as it inks’."
"By adjusting its operation according to the needs of the code being printed, it only uses the amount of solvent required.”
“The Linx 6900 Solver will be of particular interest to large-scale users of CIJ technology, who are printing 24/7."
"Solvent reduction also has positive environmental impacts by cutting raw material usage along with packaging and transportation costs,” he adds.
“The Solver also reduces the amount of solvent evaporated, reducing any potential risk of tainting products.”
“Linx printer solvents are non-toxic, so can provide even greater environmental benefits compared with other coders.”
According to Biggs, Matthews was the first company in Australia to offer Label Printer Applicators for RFID labels, and in 2006, was the first company to implement an EPC Gen2 RFID traceability project in conjunction with GS1 Australia at Patties Foods.
“Matthews made a significant investment on the hardware and software supplied to the project because we really believe in the benefits of RFID,” Biggs proudly says.
“The trial, which ran in parallel to Patties’ existing SSCC labelling system, used Class 1 Gen 2 RFID technology — then the newly ratified global standard for use with the Electronic Product Code in global supply chains.”
“Along with bar code compliance on shipping containers, Patties Foods could see other potential benefits,” Biggs recalls.
“For instance, logistics is a large part of Patties’ business. Every day it receives truckloads of ingredients (fresh and dry), and dispatches 200-odd pallets of pastries."
"A lack of real-time information was compounding any inaccuracies, in turn hampering production scheduling and distribution functions.”
“RFID potentially revolutionise the entire supply chain, by improving its efficiencies and overall business intelligence,” he says.
“For Patties, just some of the outcomes of this pilot were freeing up inventory and working capital, along with streamlining the flow of materials to and from production.”
“Australia’s largest pie maker wanted to improve traceability by having the facility to trace individual customers as well as use-by dates."
"Such detailed information would reduce its exposure to the risk of a product recalls.”
Matthews has strategically grown over the past 30-plus years, giving it a strong national network of sales and service operations.
“Indicative of our dedication to the market is the signing of an extended 10-year exclusive distribution agreement with Linx Printing Technologies Ltd last year, to distribute its ink jet and thermal product range throughout Australia,” Biggs says.
“In an era where there is significant change and consolidation globally of coding and labelling manufacturers and channels to market, this agreement demonstrates the strength of the relationship that exists between Matthews and Linx Printing Technologies."
"The agreement provides Matthews and its expanding customer base with stability and tremendous confidence.”
As for the future, Biggs says pursuing integration will continue to drive Matthews’ R&D efforts, along with technical learnings.
“In addition, we don’t ‘plonk and run’,” Biggs quips.
“Our service teams around Australia are fully trained in all equipment and we pride ourselves on our commitment to continued technical training.”
“Matthews will continue to be available around the clock, because our customers want peace of mind."
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