Member Article

Labels with chips means growth for Tees company

A company that produces millions of labels for the food, electronics, health and steel industries in the UK and Europe is expanding to meet the demand for labels that incorporate identification chips. First Choice Labels has invested £55,000 in a new press that can insert a RFID (radio frequency identification) chip into individual labels.

The system means that companies can identify and track anything from packing crates to expensive items or even individual library books with a simple scanning device.

Nigel Willis, Managing Director, said: “We see it as a major area of growth for us, and it will take the company into the next stage of its development.”

First Choice Labels has expanded steadily since starting up in 2002 and now occupies two of the largest workshops in UK Steel Enterprise’s Innovation Centre at Kirkleatham Business Park in Redcar. The business is involved in producing labelling for Corus as well as brands such as Fosters Lager, Kronenberg 1664 and Smirnoff.

The company developed a label that is spotted by a metal detector if even a tiny shred is accidentally or deliberately introduced into foodstuffs and also produces a plasticised label that cannot be torn or affected by chemicals.

Simon Hamilton, Regional Manager for UK Steel Enterprise, said: “First Choice Labels is one of around 80 highly successful companies that are flourishing in our two Innovation Centres in Tees Valley. “We have watched First Choice Labels expand steadily and are confident the company will continue to grow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .