4 Types of Vendor Evaluation for Labeling Equipment that will Help Improve Efficiency

Making the decision to purchase new labeling equipment that will help you meet enhanced efficiency goals cannot be achieved quickly or lightly; there is a lot to consider when it comes to finding the optimum solution. That’s why it pays to establish a set of vendor evaluation criteria, such as those listed below, to measure against when weighing labeling equipment suppliers.

  • Start with Internal Criteria: In order to select the most appropriate labeling machine, you need to have specific efficiency objectives related to what you want to achieve from your production processes. Criteria should to include volume and revenue as well as expenses, don’t forget the label cost,  that will fit within your budget and address areas, such as labor, training, maintenance and downtime.
  • Create a Requirements Document and Formal Request for a Quote: These internal criteria will form the basis of a requirements document that is essential to use when selecting a vendor. After all, this is not just simply shopping for a copier or some other office equipment; this is an important, long term investment you are making in labeling equipment and your ability to meet specific requirements for various product packaging and labeling depends on making the right choice. Writing out a requirements document and formalizing your request for an equipment quote also helps you focus on ensuring you have considered all your internal criteria and even addressed your challenges and concerns. This also helps a vendor know what they need to pitch to you about their equipment so it is centered on what can help you the most.
  • Interview Vendors and Other Customers: Go through your requirements document with each vendor you are considering to assess their responses and see where they may or may not meet the criteria you have listed. Be sure to account for everyone’s answers so you can review and compare them later on. At this stage, it’s also prudent to ask the vendors for customer references who operate like equipment and are available for interview to determine their experiences with their equipment. Hearing from others will give you a real-world perspective from which to compare your criteria.
  • Conduct Your Analysis: It’s time to put all your research together. The best way to do that is to create a spreadsheet so you can see each vendor, side by side, against your established criteria. This will help you visualize where the differences are and which criteria will be more important to you. The decision at this point may just come down to a few factors, such as price and comments from other customers who have used the equipment in question.

In Review Here is a summary of the main points to consider that will shape your evaluation of labeling equipment before you buy:

  • Make a list of your criteria first so you know what to ask and what to compare.
  • Formalize your request for a quote and provide a document with all your requirements to each vendor to see how they respond.
  • Don’t just accept your information in writing; feel them out by talking to them and asking to speak to some of their customers to get that real-world perspective.
  • Take the time to enter the information into a spreadsheet and analyze the information before making your final decision.
Foenix Printers

Foenix Coding Printers: What Makes Them Different?

Foenix Printer Features The market is flooded with various models of ink jet printers across a wide range of technologies, brand names and ink types, which can make it challenging to discern what printer is the best for which application and environment. Many in the industrial and commercial marketplace are loyal to Foenix Coding Printers,...Continue reading

Canned Product Labeling

Why Product Labeling Is So Important

Studies have shown that 65-70 percent of purchase decisions are made in-store based on the product packaging and labels alone.  With the vast quantity of products available, product packaging is incredibly important! Whether you’re redesigning the look of your existing packaging or launching a new product, there are several tips that will help you produce...Continue reading

Private Labeling

Is Private Labeling Right For Your Business?

Most consumers are aware that there are products generally manufactured by one company but labeled with another company’s brand, aka private labeling. Not only is this beneficial to the manufacturer who profits from the sale of its product but also creates a stream of revenue from the reseller.  Meanwhile, the store who is rebranding it...Continue reading

Hardware Supply Packaging

Hardware Supply Packaging And Labeling

There are many different styles of hardware supply packaging and labeling. Even with the different packaging types, it’s imperative that all your packaging meet a highly regulated set of stringent packaging regulations. Barcodes, sensor codes, warning labels, all must meet retail and wholesale standards – every single time. For instance: Nails – packaged in tubs,...Continue reading

Vegan

Labels On Vegan Or Plant-Based Products

Consumers are becoming more savvy with regards to their food choices and many are turning to vegan, or plant-based alternatives. While it may seem these terms are interchangeable, as they both exclude animal products, they are not necessarily viewed the same way, says the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA). Labels on vegan or plant-based products...Continue reading

E-Cigarette

Labeling E-Liquids For E-Cigarettes

The demand for electronic cigarettes is on the rise and is showing no sign of slowing down. Without a doubt, ‘vaping’, as it’s commonly called, is gaining popularity. According to one survey, 10% of adults in the U.S. now vape, and the CDC indicates that more than 9 million U.S. adults vape on a regular basis.Continue reading

Product Barcodes

Challenges In Labeling And Coding

If the barcode or marking of your product is unreadable, it can result in recalls, unhappy customers, and even fines. It is important to identify these issues early by implementing regular checks and verification to ensure quality.Continue reading

RFID Labels

Security Labels

Unfortunately, brand reputations are being tarnished across the country because of the high-rate of counterfeit products. Consumers are losing trust, even amongst the most well-known brands. As a result, security labels are trending across all markets as a way to better track and prevent counterfeit products.Continue reading

2019 Trends

5 Labeling Trends For 2019

In 2018, product packaging gave manufacturers a lot of innovative ideas and options, both functionally and aesthetically. 2019 promises to be just as innovative, and continue to grow with more color, graphics and material in exciting new ways.Continue reading

Posted in Label Coders, Label Printing, Labels & Labeling, Laser Printing and tagged , , .