M. Thoolen Flowerbulbs

How M. Thoolen Flowerbulbs, a leading flower bulb exporter, achieves maximum uptime and error-free labeling in a logistically complex export season with Novexx XTO TTO printers and Loftware NiceLabel PowerForms.

The challenge: continuity in a short, intensive export season

At M. Thoolen Flowerbulbs, the export season is a busy period in which every minute counts. Flower bulbs travel from Dutch production sites to customers in dozens of countries. For such an international supply chain, reliable labeling and correct documentation are not a luxury but a requirement.

The challenge was twofold: printing high-quality labels at high speed, directly on the packaging machines, while automatically getting real-time batch data and export information onto the right label. On top of that, CMR documents for international transport have to be available quickly and without errors.

Solution 1: high-speed TTO printing on Maan packaging machines

M. Thoolen uses four Novexx Solutions XTO2ie TTO printers. They are mounted directly on Maan packaging machines and deliver excellent performance:

• High resolution: sharp prints at 300 dpi, readable and scannable.
• Format: print area of 53 mm wide up to 100 mm long.
• Sustainability: no compressed air needed, so energy-efficient and easy to maintain.
• Speed: printing happens directly on the packaging line, without delay.

Solution 2: integration with Troublefree Smart Bulb

The Loftware NiceLabel PowerForms Suite is the heart of the control. The software is connected to the MySQL database of Smart Bulb. As a result, labels contain real-time batch data and export information, automatically and without manual input.

The logistics administration also becomes much simpler. CMR documents, the international consignment notes required for road transport in Europe, are printed directly from NiceLabel with the right data from Smart Bulb. This keeps the administration fast and error-free and prevents delays at border checks.

The result: maximum uptime and control over the export flow

The combination of robust hardware and smart software works very well. M. Thoolen easily handles the high pressure of the export season, with three concrete benefits:

• Minimal downtime: the XTO2ie printers need little maintenance and no compressed air installation, so fewer breakdowns and lower costs.
• Error-free labeling: real-time data from Smart Bulb prevents wrong batch numbers or export information on labels.
• Faster logistics: CMR documents straight from NiceLabel mean no more separate Word or Excel files and no retyping.

Besides the software integration, Giesbus also maintains the equipment: one point of contact for hardware and software, so M. Thoolen can focus on what it does best: exporting flower bulbs.

Frequently asked questions about TTO printing and NiceLabel PowerForms

What is a TTO printer and when do you use one?

A TTO printer (thermal transfer overprint) prints directly on packaging film on the packaging line, often with variable data such as batch numbers, best-before dates or export codes. The Novexx XTO2ie works without compressed air and prints at 300 dpi, suited to applications that require both high quality and continuous production, such as food, pharma and flower bulb export.

What does Loftware NiceLabel PowerForms Suite do?

NiceLabel PowerForms Suite is label printing software that gives operators a simple interface in which they print the right label with a few clicks. The software connects to databases (such as MySQL or SQL Server), ERP systems and production systems, so the right data automatically ends up on the right label. Giesbus sets up the templates and data connections entirely to fit.

Why is real-time data important for flower bulb export?

Flower bulbs are packed in a short time and shipped worldwide, often with strict tracking and export requirements per destination country. A real-time connection with a central system such as Smart Bulb makes sure labels and CMR documents always contain the current batch and export data, without manual transfer. This prevents errors, delays and rejection on arrival.

Read these cases too

• Veiling Vaassen: ornamental horticulture labeling with PowerForms and scan-to-print.
• Allnuts: nuts and seeds with multi-printer control through PowerForms.
• Brové Plastics: industrial injection-molded products with PowerForms and EAN-13.

Would you like to drive your packaging machines more intelligently, or are you looking for one partner for hardware maintenance and software integration? Contact Giesbus for advice with no obligation.

Request a free demo →