Cleaning up

Providers of thermal transfer ribbons, ARMOR-IIMAK showcased its latest product range, as well as solutions for a broad range of applications at this year’s Propak Cape. The company also introduced its innovative CleanStart solution that provides additional inkanto printhead cleaning features, ensuring optimal printhead performance and extended printhead lifespan for thermal transfer printers. Managing director Andrew Fosbrook, says it was a successful show for ARMOR-IIMAK. ‘We received some excellent sales’ leads which have already converted into new business’. He adds that many of the company’s reseller partners and end users of its products visited the stand. ‘The show served as a great platform to reenforce our company, products and brand’.

According to Andrew, it was great to reconnect with ARMOR-IIMAK’s Cape-based customers, as well as meet potential new customers.

At the show, ARMOR-IIMAK addressed the imminent evolution of the barcode in the retail industry and the potential impact it will have throughout the retail supply chain.

Andrew explains: ‘The retail barcode, which turns 50 during 2023, will undergo an evolution over the next few years, culminating in the new standard set by GS1, the global industry body, which will come into effect by 2027. This new standard is based on the GS1 Data Link standard, which incorporates the use of QR codes to add data-rich codes that allow additional variable information to be included on product labels,’ he says. This code can be scanned using a smartphone, which provides consumers with the ability to access additional information on the web.

‘We also shared with visitors that thermal transfer technology is fully equipped to meet these new requirements, ensuring compliance, as well as ease of implementation for businesses across the supply chain,’ he concludes.