There are many manufacturers that can provide a reputable product when it comes to the sourcing of tire barcode labels. With so many to choose from, how do you decide which supplier is best for you?

Obviously the pool is narrowed based on your project scope, geography, application, and budget; however, you may be missing valuable opportunities to improve processes and workflows if all you’re doing is sourcing labels. Consider entering into a partnership rather than a purchasing agreement and you’ll soon be on your way to business process improvements. Below are 5 things to consider before simply sourcing labels:

1. Not all tire barcode labels are created equal

Let’s be honest: you probably aren’t a label construction genius—and you shouldn’t have to be! You know you need a label, you know what it needs to accomplish, and you know the environment it has to endure. Partnering with materials engineers who know label construction as well as you know tire construction makes your life a whole lot easier as you’re now guaranteed a solution that works in conjunction with your tires and processes.

Beyond that, you can spend your time doing what you do best instead of stressing over labels and laminates. Not all tire labels are created equal, and one label construction doesn’t accommodate every tire construction. Don’t waste time and money ordering ‘off the shelf’ kits that are likely to cause headaches in your process or leave ugly residue on tires, work with your partner to find a solution suited to your unique processes.

Additionally, some barcode consultants are able to provide sequence management services to ensure you don’t receive any defective or duplicate labels. For example, here at Computype we run all of our tire barcode labels through our one of a kind vision system prior to shipping. Our vision system scans each barcode several times to ensure each one is unique and receives a passing grade.

2. Maximize the value of your tire barcode label investment

How will labels be applied to tires? At what speeds? Does bead label data communicate with your systems to create tread labels? Is the labeling process integrated with your manufacturing line? What are your process improvement goals?

Partnering with a trusted advisor ensures these questions will be asked and considered prior to investing in a label solution. Thinking through the labeling strategy on a bigger scale and in relation to the rest of your manufacturing processes is what will ensure an optimized solution that extends beyond basic barcode labeling to provide workflow improvements, efficiency gains, and cost savings

3. Consider automating your tire labeling process to add even more value

If your current process dictates manual label application, you may want to consider partnering with a label provider to discuss automating the process. Working with a single partner that offers the label materials, automation equipment and integration expertise will not only ensure the solution is end-to-end in functionality, but also that you’re leveraging the relationship to its fullest potential. Ensuring the labels have been properly designed to complement both the tire label automation and the scope of your workflow demands a partner, not just a supplier.

4. Consider service as part of your investment

Service and expertise are elements of a solution that can be difficult to quantify, as you may not think or care about it until you have a problem. The reality is however, that service should start prior to ever purchasing anything, and should continue well beyond receiving product. Partnering with a label provider could include service elements like commissioning, training, planned maintenance visits, materials & engineering expertise, and possibly more depending on your contract. Ensure you’re selecting a partner that can provide you with peace of mind in addition to tangible solutions.

A great service provider will start by conducting an on-site audit as part of the project plan. A typical on-site audit can take a full business day, with the objective of uncovering all of your goals and challenges.

5. Ensure tire labeling systems that work both today and into the future

Labels and integrated labeling automation systems should be designed and commissioned to meet your needs today—and in the future. The right partner will ensure proper understanding of your goals to provide labels and systems that will hold up to unexpected growth, expansion, and legislation changes. Don’t spend your time re-qualifying a label supplier or discovering a label applicator won’t meet throughput demands in a few short years. Choose a partner that can lay a good foundation for your anticipated growth and help you plan through transitions like industry 4.0

Computype partners with the top 5 global tire manufacturers to provide label consumables, hardware, and unparalleled service. Through our experience with major players in the tire industry we’ve learned a lot, allowing us to develop labeling solutions suited specifically to the most demanding tire manufacturing environments. To learn more about the barcode solutions we offer in the tire industry check out our tire hub or contact us if you have more specific questions!