Operations Expanded with Service Centre in Ingolstadt

Tosca, a global supplier of reusable packaging solutions, has opened a new, state-of-the-art service centre in Ingolstadt, Germany. This downstream-focused facility, equipped with solar panels for sustainable energy usage and advanced technology capabilities, is designed to support Germany’s largest retailers with efficient, data-driven services.

Solutions purpose-built to unlock value across the supply chain

Tosca’s expert, custom-fit reusable packaging and pooling solutions unlock value and sustainability at every step of its customers’ supply chain. With the largest selection of 100% recyclable, reusable plastic packaging in the market and in-house R&D capabilities, it offers solutions purpose-built to eliminate food, labour, and transportation waste while upholding high-quality standards, safeguarding against product damage and contamination. It manages its customers’ logistics seamlessly, streamlining their supply chain, simplifying maintenance, optimising space and enhancing efficiency.

The company’s commitment to sustainable business practices, ethical and social responsibility has been recognised with the prestigious EcoVadis Gold Award for its sustainability initiatives in Europe and the UK. The award places Tosca in the top 5% of companies assessed, solidifying its position as a sustainability leader.

“We’re excited to unveil our newest service centre in Ingolstadt, a testament to our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and value to our customers,” said Marco Gonzalez, Managing Director for Central Europe at Tosca. “This expansion highlights our ability to adapt quickly to market demands, as well and our dedication to growth in reusable plastic packaging solutions across Europe.”

Close to the customer with an extensive service centre footprint

The opening of the Ingolstadt service centre marks a significant expansion of Tosca’s footprint in Europe. With a total area of approximately 2,700 m², the centre is strategically positioned to cater to the growing demand for Tosca’s innovative reusable plastic products and pooling services in the region. With the addition of the Ingolstadt centre, Tosca currently operates 43 service centres across Europe.

Driven by the increasing business in plastic half pallet operations, the decision to establish the Ingolstadt centre underscores Tosca’s dedication to supporting its downstream customers across Europe. By optimising operations and reducing transport costs, the new centre will enhance efficiency while facilitating further growth in the region. Importantly, the centre is positioned to serve Tosca’s largest downstream customer in Central Europe and one of its key suppliers.

Notably, Tosca achieved an impressive lead time of just four months from the start of site search to operational readiness, showcasing the company’s agility and collaborative working across all departments.

Advanced technologies for operational excellence

Ingolstadt is equipped with advanced technologies, including RFID gates, scanning equipment, and automation systems. These innovations ensure optimal data accuracy and provide customers with deep insights into their supply chain performance, underscoring Tosca’s commitment to future-proofing supply chains. This technology enables Tosca to increase the efficiency and accuracy of their customers’ supply chains, driving growth, operational excellence and sustainability.

In August/September, Tosca will install a fully automated wash line at their site, including a conveyor reader on the wash line to automatically update asset status and monitor performance. These investments highlight Tosca’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and providing their customers with superior supply chain solutions.

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Labels partnership success for in-moulds

Leading barcode labels and security specialist, inotec, is celebrating the company’s long-term partnership with Georg Utz. This successful collaboration has resulted in the production of over 40 million in-mould labels for plastic totes, crates, pallets and dollies.

The significant investment between inotec and Georg Utz began in 2008 and has enabled the in-mould labelling process to become fully automated within the production of new totes and crates. This delivers substantial time and cost savings compared to applying adhesive labels after manufacturing. The Diobond labels are applied during the moulding process of polyethene, polystyrene, polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) products.

The barcode labels are moulded onto the totes and crates during production as a permanent and durable asset identification solution. Using inotec’s state of the art printing, full-colour logos, barcodes and even radio-frequency identification (RFID) enabled inlays can be injection moulded into the wall of a container.

Due to its unique and patented manufacturing process, inotec’s RFID chips can also be in-moulded directly to totes and crates with no interlayer to destroy the contact between the box plastic and the label. In tests, up to 300 boxes were read at one time within seconds.

Durable and contamination free

The durability of the in-mould technology not only makes the labels extremely hardwearing, but also resistant to high-pressure cleaning, chemicals, acids and solvents.

The bond between the in-mould label and the crate becomes permanent, offering a smooth edgeless surface. This eliminates the possibility of any contamination happening behind the label. Coupled with its durability and resistance to industrial cleaning, inotec’s in-mould label technology is ideal for the food and pharmaceutical industries along with other highly hygienic environments.

Without the need for adhesives, the in-mould labels are highly resistant to heat and UV light as well as being waterproof. David Stocker, sales director, inotec UK explains:
“Changing the labelling process from adhesive labels to in-mould labels has many benefits for companies like Georg Utz.

“Moving to in-mould labelling technology means labels can be inserted during the moulding process. This removes the extra step that the traditional method adhesive labels create, as they can only be applied after the moulding process. In addition to this, newly moulded totes need to be stored and cooled before they can have the adhesive labels applied. In-mould labelling eliminates this extra storage stage and the need for secondary handling. This not only saves time but also creates significant cost savings for companies like Georg Utz who are producing in mass volumes.”

General Manager, Russell Evans, at Georg Utz concludes:
“In-mould labelling is a major innovation in our industry. It allows us to offer much higher specification, reliable barcodes and the digital printing of logos with unlimited colours at a very high print resolution. The images are incredibly clear and robust.

“We are aware that to continue to grow we must constantly innovate in line with our customers’ needs and having partners like inotec is integral to our future development.”

Established in 1999, inotec UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of inotec GmbH. It is a provider of warehouse finishing solutions including durable barcode labels, in-mould labels, internal and external line marking, RFID solutions and warehouse signage.

inotec specialises in providing bespoke solutions for a variety of environments from ambient to cold stores. The company offers a complete service, working with clients throughout the process from design to installation to achieve solutions that work the first time and every time.

inotec GmbH is Europe’s premier specialist barcode and Auto ID label company with a wealth of experience in providing quality label and identification solutions. Using the world’s most consistent and accurate printing processes, the company guarantees secure and readable labels at all times. With its unique testing laboratory and expert technical knowledge, inotec GmbH has been introducing pioneering new products and long-lasting warehouse identification solutions for more than 30 years.

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