Markem-Imaje, a global leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, has partnered with catering expert Elior to enhance food and drink packaging, minimize waste, and boost production efficiency.
Elior, a well-established name in Italy since its inception in the Genoa shipyards in 1954, boasts a workforce of ten thousand, operates two thousand restaurants, and serves over 106 million customers annually. Their strategy for tapping into new markets hinges on their SMB (Small-Medium-Business) Division, which provides innovative and modular solutions tailored for small and medium-sized food outlets.
This SMB Division has identified four distinct formats emphasizing product lines packaged in a protective atmosphere devoid of chemical preservatives. Their offerings include over two hundred diverse recipes crafted by Elior’s skilled nutritionists and chefs, encompassing everything from traditional Italian favorites like lasagna Bolognese to lighter dishes such as sliced chicken and steamed spinach, along with vegan and vegetarian options.
Elior’s diverse distribution modules cater to varying needs and environments. For instance, Urban 360 features a smart fridge allowing customers 24/7 access to ready meals without prior booking. This intelligent locker opens upon payment via an app or by using a debit or ticket card, featuring RFID technology that identifies users and dish numbers.
In contrast, The Market presents an open area with a display fridge, enabling guests to select their meals on the spot—a true “mini market” where employees can conveniently choose their lunch menu while still benefiting from staff support at the cash register.
Currently, all data management processes are automated at a production hub in Zola Predosa through Markem-Imaje’s CoLOS® software.
“We needed a partner to help us digitally connect our products, and with Markem-Imaje, we found the expertise and solutions required for this transition. Their capability to serve as a single implementor across all technological areas—featuring efficient Print & Apply labellers, stable and robust software, RFID technology, and a deep understanding of IT industrial environments—convinced us,” shares Luca Lomolino, IT Application Manager at Elior Italy.
“The Elior project excited us as it embodies key values of the Markem-Imaje philosophy, notably the commitment to tackling food waste. This initiative enables Elior to automatically identify which dishes need replenishment and to send only what is consumed, while also facilitating proactive deadline management,” explains Gianluca Angelici, Solutions Architect at Markem-Imaje Italy. “Utilizing our expertise in industrial IT environments and the flexibility of CoLOS® software, we effectively interacted with Elior’s ERP, managing production in real-time, encoding human-readable information on labels, and storing additional data on RFID antennas while marking lot details on tray edges.”
To further enhance their capabilities, two 2200 Series Print & Apply systems have been integrated into the production lines. These systems ensure precise label application, capturing both human-readable information and data encoded on RFID tags, significantly improving product traceability and ensuring compliance with European regulations.
“We are deeply proud to be an integral part of the innovative food and drink sustainable packaging solution developed by Elior,” Angelici concludes.
