Printer Applicator Solution Helps Joy Cone Improve Inventory Control and Cut Costs

COLUMBIA, MD--(Marketwire - December 18, 2008) - PEAK Technologies, a Platinum Equity Company, developed a barcode printer applicator solution to optimize label application methods for Joy Cone Company, the world's largest ice cream cone manufacturer.

Joy Cone sought to reduce operating costs by automating its warehouse and shipping functions and PEAK responded with a print and apply barcode label application system that delivered immediate results. The printer applicator solution was part of an overall warehouse modernization project at Joy Cone's facilities in Hermitage, PA and Flagstaff, AZ.

PEAK outfitted the warehouse with dual-tamp printer applicators running Zebra print engines, Zebra portable thermal desktop printers, XPlore dual-mode tablet wall-mounted PCs, and an automated system that applies labels on each carton's front and side for easy identification by Joy Cone tow-motor operators. The printer applicators apply the labels without ever touching the carton, a feature which is especially important to avoid damaging the cartons and the fragile cones inside. As a result, PEAK produced a modernized and efficient automated labeling system that allowed Joy Cone to manage its inventory more easily and save money on printing and purchasing.

"We saw an improvement in accuracy and inventory control overnight," said Brent Fisher, director of logistics for Joy Cone. "In terms of tracking inventory for shipping, we went from having weekly out-of-stock products to having almost no out-of-stocks, plus we increased our warehouse productivity by about 20 percent as a result of the entire warehouse automation project."

To see a video of the Joy Cone printer applicators in action, visit http://www.peaktech.com/Solutions/wms_legacy/Printer_Applicator_Resources.aspx.

The Joy Cone story is just one of many resources PEAK offers explaining how printer applicator technology can dramatically improve business performance. To access more success stories, white papers, video and webinars to help companies boost productivity, lower operating costs and improve customer service, visit PEAK's printer applicator resource page at http://www.peaktech.com/Solutions/wms_legacy/Printer_Applicator_Resources.aspx.

Contact Information: Editorial Contacts: Janet Johnson PEAK Technologies, Inc. (410) 312-6033 janet.johnson-peak@peaktech.com Sarah McCaughey Godfrey Public Relations (717) 393-3831, ext. 130 sarahm@godfrey.com