From meat carcass tags to retail ready packaging, Labelmakers is assisting manufacturers to streamline operations from paddock to plate while delivering on-shelf impact.
Following the acquisition of Le Mac in September this year, Labelmakers became the largest producer of linerless labels in Australia and New Zealand and the key supply partner in the ever-growing Retail Ready Meals category.
The merging of the two businesses also enabled Labelmakers to consolidate the group’s complete range of meat label, tag and packaging solutions, to deliver its customer base a single touch point for sourcing.
Le Mac has been synonymous with Linerless Self-Adhesive Labels (LSLs) and Ravenwood Nobac applicators since 2006 when the company introduced the first linerless label system into the Australian market. With over a decade of experience working with businesses in the pre-packaging meat sector and broader food category, Le Mac has a deep understanding of the label and application requirements, supporting customers at all stages of the journey.
Le Mac Australia is the sole distributor of the Ravenwood Nobac applicator system across both Australia and New Zealand, and with Le Mac Packaging providing the specialty Linerless Self-Adhesive Labels, the group can deliver a total turnkey solution to its customers, including expert technical support.
Labelmakers Group CEO Paul O’Sullivan says, “As the only label printer in Australasia to have in-house materials coating capability for self-adhesive labels, Labelmakers is uniquely positioned with local R&D capability to oversee all facets of the product offering, including adhesive development, raw materials sourcing and print performance.
“The benefit to our customer base is access to value engineered solutions, that are category and application specific, while utilising the lowest cost base for manufacture.”
Labelmakers is also committed to improving environmental outcomes within the sector with its team working on a number of initiatives including waste minimisation and closed-loop recycling. Extending its offering to include Linerless Label technology is part of this strategy. Combining innovation and sustainability is the next frontier in labels and packaging, and Labelmakers patented Crate Wash-Off Label is one deliverable from the joint efforts of its R&D and sustainability team.
Full suite of meat packaging solutions
Labelmakers Group R&D team is heavily focused on solutions specific to the meat category, given the challenging labelling and performance conditions at all stages of the supply chain. Some local developments for this category include a Crate Wash-Off Label (patented), Ultra Flat Carton Labels, and Labelmakers’ All Temperature Adhesive.
- Crate Wash-Off Labels are a Labelmakers-patented product and when exposed to typical crate washing/sterilising conditions the label removes itself automatically by shrinking and curling in on itself. This ‘densifies’ the label preventing it from being blown around in the turbulent spray wash chambers and, since the adhesive is encapsulated, it prevents labels from re-attaching to other crates. This reduces labour by eliminating the need for manual removal of labels pre or post the washing chambers.
- Ultra-Flat Carton Label is a multi-layered poly direct thermal construction, offering the ultimate in lay-flat and rigidity during auto or hand application.
- All Temperature Adhesive is specifically designed for application onto recycled cardboard and accommodates a wide temperature range of -20 to +40 degrees Celsius, transitioning from cold application conditions to a freezer environment, as required.
The full Labelmakers meat solutions portfolio includes: linerless labels; carton labels; carcass tags; self-adhesive labels; crate wash-off labels; folding carton sleeves; security cut labels; smart labels; and high temperature thermal inserts.
