Bar Code Tracking of Returnable Drums

A third-party logistics company (3PL) has implemented a system of using returnable containers made of plastic, a more safe and sustainable way to transport chemicals. Each drum is assigned a unique number, something like a license plate number, in order to track the location and condition of each drum.

The company had been using common labels to identify each drum, but they were having issues with the labels falling off or degrading over time. They were looking for more durable bar code labels that would remain attached and intact, and they needed a way to print these labels themselves when new drums were received.

The Pannier PLUS3 metal tag printer provided the solution they sought. The printer accepts data from a spreadsheet that contains all the new drum numbers, and durable metal bar code labels print in just seconds. The tags are riveted to each drum to ensure they stay in place for the life of the container.