Snellman Kokkikartano is known for its high-quality Finnish ready meals. Products such as mayonnaise and salad dressings are manufactured and packaged at Kokkikartano’s Pori plant. As production expanded to meet the requirements of industrial-scale manufacturing, labeling automation and production line automation became key elements of the overall line upgrade.
KLINGER Finland delivered two customized labeling systems to the Pori plant, which now form an essential part of Kokkikartano’s production automation.
Driven by the need to reduce manual work and improve efficiency
Previously, labeling at the Pori plant was carried out entirely manually. When products are packed at an industrial scale, manual work quickly limits efficiency. It also affects the consistency of the final result.
At Kokkikartano production, labeling is part of two larger packaging lines:
- one line for bottles and canisters
- another line for filling mayonnaise into buckets
“Labeling used to be done completely by hand. When we wanted to automate the entire production line, it was only natural to include labeling as well – reducing manual work and improving efficiency were clear goals,” says Tea Tilander, Production Director at Kokkikartano.
Synergy, local support and operational ease as key selection criteria
Kokkikartano evaluated several suppliers before selecting KLINGER Finland. A key factor in the decision was the group’s long-standing cooperation with KLINGER Finland. Another was that marking equipment was already in use at several Kokkikartano plants. The new investment brought clear synergy and greater consistency across production sites.
Another significant selection criterion was KLINGER Finland’s Labeling Service Agreement. Kokkikartano initially considered purchasing the labeling systems and marking equipment. However, leasing proved to be the more practical solution. The monthly fee includes maintenance, consumables and support. This eliminates the need to manage them separately.
In addition, local service availability and a quickly reachable on-call support number were considered major advantages in day-to-day operations.
Delivered solution: Two customized labeling automation systems for different packaging formats
KLINGER Finland delivered two customized labeling automation systems to Kokkikartano’s Pori plant:
- a labeling system for buckets
- a labeling system for round bottles and handled canisters
The wide product range and varying label sizes required a versatile and adjustable solution. It also had to adapt quickly and accurately to changing production needs. The labeling systems are based on Intrex equipment, with Domino TTO and CIJ printing technology integrated for date and barcode marking.
“When Kokkikartano wanted to raise production efficiency and visual quality to a new level at the Pori plant, we delivered two customized labeling systems– one for buckets and another for round bottles and complex handled canisters. The solution adapts quickly and precisely to production requirements,” says Jari-Pekka Eskelinen, Sales Director at KLINGER Finland.
Phased commissioning with support close at hand
The labeling systems have been in operation for approximately one month. The bucket production line is already fully operational, and commissioning has gone smoothly. The bottle and canister labeling system is also in use, but its full integration into the longer production line is still ongoing.
Label changeovers are still being fine-tuned. Kokkikartano uses a wide variety of labels. This learning phase is a natural part of implementation. Line operators were trained during commissioning. Operational support has also been available. Kokkikartano’s personnel have actively used KLINGER Finland’s on-call support number. They have consistently received fast assistance when needed.
Consistency and efficiency improved immediately
Labeling automation delivered immediate, visible improvements in product consistency. When labels are applied manually, alignment inevitably varies. With automated labeling, each label is placed in the same position and perfectly straight. This enhances both product appearance and brand consistency.
Once the label settings are optimized, line throughput increases and process time is reduced. Because labeling is part of a broader production automation, the benefits extend across the entire line:
- reduced manual labor
- smoother processes
- improved consistency
- cost savings at line level
Measurable results have not yet been fully calculated because Kokkikartano evaluates investment payback over a longer period. However, early experiences have been clearly positive, and the overall solution has met expectations.
A partnership supporting multi-site operations
Kokkikartano highlights the ease of cooperation with KLINGER Finland. The company also values KLINGER Finland’s understanding of the group’s overall structure and the specific needs of different plants. When the same solution provider serves multiple sites, it brings operational consistency and reliability.
“We use KLINGER Finland’s marking equipment at several of our plants, which creates strong synergy. We’ve gained a partner that’s easy to work with, and cooperation has been very smooth,” Tilander summarizes.
Video: Labeling automation for buckets at the Pori plant
The video below shows the bucket labeling system in operation at Kokkikartano’s Pori plant. It demonstrates how labeling automation functions as part of the production process and ensures precise and consistent label placement.
Snellman Kokkikartano
Snellman Kokkikartano is a family-owned food manufacturer specializing in ready meals made from domestic, high-quality ingredients. The company operates four production facilities in Kerava, Pori, and Pietarsaari and employs approximately 450 people.
Kokkikartano’s value proposition is based on preparing food the way it is made at home. The company uses real ingredients and places taste and quality first. Meat is meat, cream is cream, and nothing is overly processed or industrialized. Only Finnish meat is used. The company’s mission is to give everyone access to something better. This means better ready meals, better workplaces for employees, better cooperation with partners and better service for retailers. Kokkikartano’s two core passions are food and people’s well-being.
