Paris (France), 04 July 2023 – Maison Burtin, founded in 1933, a leading champagne producer located in EPERNAY, MARNE, has chosen the ZetesAtlas identification execution solution combined with Zetes MD smart printing/applicator labelling stations, linked to the ZetesMedea order preparation solution. This project forms part of a global digitalisation strategy aiming to optimise packaging and picking solutions, providing perfect traceability of bottles of champagne from packaging to delivery.
Working to automate and digitalise its processes
Maison Burtin was founded in 1933 by Gaston Burtin. It is located on a unique historic site in the heart of Epernay: the Château des Archers. Holding major long-term grape purchase agreements with hundreds of partner vineyards, Maison Burtin vinifies and matures a variety of champagne cuvées through ambitious and meticulous quality monitoring.
For many years, Maison Burtin worked with systems and technologies that have now become obsolete. To improve quality control, reduce errors and enhance its brand image, Maison Burtin has therefore decided to digitalise its traceability by integrating automated processes using new label printing/application and picking technologies.
“The project originated because large retailers and logistics companies started requiring us to identify all of our products with an EAN 128 code. All champagne cases leaving the site must be marked with adhesive labels, containing a specific organised set of information. We therefore approached Zetes, the traceability specialist, to satisfy our requirements and offer an automated solution to identify all of our products, from production to shipment of our cases of champagne,” explains Bernard Guerbette, New Build and Project Manager at Maison Burtin.
The automated printing/applicator technology
The ZetesAtlas solution, which is fully integrated into the company’s ERP, guarantees Maison Burtin total and automated control of the marking of its packing boxes on their packaging lines. This is then controlled via a central and intuitive operator interface. For each box processed, one or two labels are printed and affixed (brand and reference labels) to identify all the champagne cases. In addition, to prevent any production downtime, the printing head and the label applicator head (Zetes MD1500 station) have been duplicated on each line to facilitate spool replacement.
Once the boxes have been labelled, palletisation is the next step. Here again, the process is fully automated: the full pallet is wrapped in film using a system equipped with a turntable and an automatic filming machine. It is then identified and validated by two pallet labels applied to two faces by the Zetes MD6000 smart printing and applicator stations. It is then stored and then dispatched to the warehouse.
Modernised order picking
Enabled by the imminent integration of the ZetesMedea solution, Maison Burtin will also be able to modernise its order picking processes by adding an automatic picking system connected to the mobile technology. The purpose of this solution will be to replace the old picking method, which is still a paper-based system.
“This project has improved our efficiency and productivity, mainly through the standardisation of all our label formats. This means that we now no longer need to manage hundreds of different pre-printed labels, because the labels are completed automatically. We also do not need to change the spools according to the different label formats. Those procedures were time-consuming and required organisational effort,” adds Bernard Guerbette.
Perfect traceability and higher service quality
This comprehensive global project, seamlessly integrating the entire chain from production to packaging and shipping of its bottles, has led to a substantial increase in productivity. Combined with the guarantee of perfect traceability, this means that Maison Burtin can now provide all of its customers with an optimised quality of service.