Chilean company developing more reliable labels to support new COOL requirements
Chilean company developing more reliable labels to support new COOL requirements
Colorama, a Chilean graphics company, has developed more reliable labels for the fresh produce industry to assist North American companies with the need to implement new country-of-origin labeling requirements.
Over recent years, Colorama, based in Santiago, has witnessed increasing problems with labels staying put or holding up during international transit. "We have been called on numerous times to help fix problems caused by lesser-quality labels which look great when they leave Chile but don't perform under the circumstances presented by fresh produce shipping," Francisco Langlois, general manager of Colorama, said in a press release. "In many countries, this becomes a major financial issue since receivers will not accept the product if it is not properly labeled."
With the implementation of COOL requirements in the U.S. marketplace, reliable labels are of even greater importance.
"If an importer or shipper is labeling product to meet government or consumer requirements, they want to be sure those labels will make it all the way through the chain," Mr. Langlois added in the press release. "Cost- effective implementation of COOL has made the whole labeling issue even more pertinent. If the investment in labeling is made in the shipping country, but then some product has to be relabeled at receiving point, either the shipper or receiver pays double."
Mr. Langlois continued, "Our commitment to the export industry is to continue developing new and high-quality labels for the challenging global business we face. Fresh fruit logistics are extremely important in assuring fruit from the Southern Cone arrives in perfect condition to the market. However, also crucial is for importers, distributors and retailers of Chilean fresh fruit to be sure the fruit will have reliable and durable labels, meeting not only the requirements of authorities but also their customers' needs."
Colorama labels are guaranteed from six months to one year, depending on transportation and environment conditions. Colorama innovation and research has enabled the company to use and develop the last available label technology and import them from abroad, which allows the firm to assure its labels.
The high-profile United Kingdom supermarket chain ASDA has for years demanded their suppliers use Colorama products for their experience, service and reliability, and ISO certification, reflecting their quality and eco-friendly process.
"We pride ourselves on running an efficient, productive, yet socially responsible operation," Mr. Langlois added in the press release. "As part of our core business, we are involved with the development of the community where our facility is located, as well as very concerned with the protection of the environment."
Colorama's reputation and more than 20 years of experience was recently evidenced by the use of its labels in Disney fresh fruit programs through companies such as Subsole and Kopke in the United States. Additionally, an estimated 20 percent of all adhesive labels from Chile are from Colorama. Other local customers are Walmart, Unifrutti, David del Curto and Exportadora R?o Blanco.
While the company has a fully integrated production plant in Santiago, its pursuit of innovation and efficiency has led to a partnership with important international suppliers worldwide in its quest of the best papers and glue. In fact, UPM Raflatac (North America) in Fletcher, NC, which is part of International Paper Co., has had a longstanding 17-year agreement with Colorama on pressure-sensitive labelstock. This long-term partnership has proven to be beneficial for both companies.
"Our partnership with Colorama allows them to increase their capacity, shorten their production time and to continue to improve their products for the export industry" Javier Palomares, sales director for Latin America, added in the press release.
Over recent years, Colorama, based in Santiago, has witnessed increasing problems with labels staying put or holding up during international transit. "We have been called on numerous times to help fix problems caused by lesser-quality labels which look great when they leave Chile but don't perform under the circumstances presented by fresh produce shipping," Francisco Langlois, general manager of Colorama, said in a press release. "In many countries, this becomes a major financial issue since receivers will not accept the product if it is not properly labeled."
With the implementation of COOL requirements in the U.S. marketplace, reliable labels are of even greater importance.
"If an importer or shipper is labeling product to meet government or consumer requirements, they want to be sure those labels will make it all the way through the chain," Mr. Langlois added in the press release. "Cost- effective implementation of COOL has made the whole labeling issue even more pertinent. If the investment in labeling is made in the shipping country, but then some product has to be relabeled at receiving point, either the shipper or receiver pays double."
Mr. Langlois continued, "Our commitment to the export industry is to continue developing new and high-quality labels for the challenging global business we face. Fresh fruit logistics are extremely important in assuring fruit from the Southern Cone arrives in perfect condition to the market. However, also crucial is for importers, distributors and retailers of Chilean fresh fruit to be sure the fruit will have reliable and durable labels, meeting not only the requirements of authorities but also their customers' needs."
Colorama labels are guaranteed from six months to one year, depending on transportation and environment conditions. Colorama innovation and research has enabled the company to use and develop the last available label technology and import them from abroad, which allows the firm to assure its labels.
The high-profile United Kingdom supermarket chain ASDA has for years demanded their suppliers use Colorama products for their experience, service and reliability, and ISO certification, reflecting their quality and eco-friendly process.
"We pride ourselves on running an efficient, productive, yet socially responsible operation," Mr. Langlois added in the press release. "As part of our core business, we are involved with the development of the community where our facility is located, as well as very concerned with the protection of the environment."
Colorama's reputation and more than 20 years of experience was recently evidenced by the use of its labels in Disney fresh fruit programs through companies such as Subsole and Kopke in the United States. Additionally, an estimated 20 percent of all adhesive labels from Chile are from Colorama. Other local customers are Walmart, Unifrutti, David del Curto and Exportadora R?o Blanco.
While the company has a fully integrated production plant in Santiago, its pursuit of innovation and efficiency has led to a partnership with important international suppliers worldwide in its quest of the best papers and glue. In fact, UPM Raflatac (North America) in Fletcher, NC, which is part of International Paper Co., has had a longstanding 17-year agreement with Colorama on pressure-sensitive labelstock. This long-term partnership has proven to be beneficial for both companies.
"Our partnership with Colorama allows them to increase their capacity, shorten their production time and to continue to improve their products for the export industry" Javier Palomares, sales director for Latin America, added in the press release.
