Discover how the MCP 600T enables continuous labeling of clamshell trays on 24/7 soft fruit lines, with deployments in Europe, Latin America and North Africa.
Our MCP 600T was born as a solution developed for the Spanish fruit and vegetable market where packaging lines require high levels of automation, precision and operational continuity.
Thanks to its reliability in intensive production environments, this technology was quickly adopted by large packing plants in Latin America, especially in Peru and Mexico, two of the world’s leading berry exporters.
In recent years, its deployment has extended to emerging markets such as North Africa, where countries like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are experiencing strong growth in soft fruit production. This international expansion has positioned the MCP 600T as a proven solution, capable of adapting to different production environments and guaranteeing continuous labeling 24/7 on highly demanding lines.
1. Labeling requirements in the soft fruit industry.
The soft fruit industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increased international demand for products such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. This growth has forced many producing regions to modernize their packing houses to meet the demands of international markets, where operational efficiency, traceability and processing speed are key factors.
In this context, different producing regions around the world – from Europe to Latin America and, more recently, North Africa – have significantly increased their production capacity, developing new farms and increasingly automated packing centers.
One of the most commonly used formats for marketing soft fruits is the clamshell tub, a lightweight, transparent package that protects the product during transport and facilitates its presentation at the point of sale. This format, however, requires labeling systems capable of working with high precision and at high speeds, as each package must include key information for the supply chain.
The labels applied on the tubs usually include essential data such as:
- Product origin
- Production lot and traceability
- Producer or exporter information
- Barcodes or QR codes
- Variable data required by the target markets
When production lines reach thousands of tubs per hour, the labeling process becomes a critical phase in packing. An incorrect label application, a technical stop or a printing problem can directly affect the production rate and the overall efficiency of the line.
For this reason, fruit and vegetable plants are increasingly looking for labeling solutions that are robust, reliable and ready to work in intensive production environments, especially during export campaigns where workloads are very high.
2. The operational challenge: packaging lines that work non-stop
Soft fruit packing houses typically operate under heavy production pressure, especially during peak seasons. In many facilities, packing lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, processing large volumes of fruit destined mainly for export.
In this context, stopping a production line is not a viable option. Each stoppage can generate different operational problems:
- Immediate loss of productivity
- Delays in the preparation of export orders
- Accumulation of product on the line belts
- Increased pressure on operators and logistics planning
Within these packing lines, one of the most sensitive points is usually the labeling process, especially when conventional systems are used.
Among the most common incidents that can cause stoppages or slowdowns are:
- End of label roll, forcing the line to be stopped for replacement
- Label liner breakage, frequent in high-speed operations
- Dispensing or label application problems
- Failure to print variable data such as batches or dates
- Labeling head maladjustments requiring operator intervention
For this reason, the most advanced packaging plants are opting for labeling solutions specifically designed for continuous production environments, capable of minimizing line stoppages and guaranteeing a stable workflow throughout the day.
It is precisely in such scenarios that technologies such as the MCP 600T provide a key operational advantage.
3. MCP 600T: the continuous labeling solution for clamshell tubs
To meet the needs of soft fruit packaging plants that work with high production volumes and continuous work rhythms, MarCoPack has developed the MCP 600T, a labeling solution specifically designed for automatic labeling of clamshell trays used for products such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries.
This machine has been designed for integration into high-speed packaging lines, where operational continuity is critical to maintain productivity and meet export deadlines. Its design responds directly to the challenges faced by modern packing stations: minimizing line stoppages, increasing operational efficiency and ensuring accurate labeling on every pack.
One of the highlights of the MCP 600T is its redundant labeling architecture, based on a system of four labeling heads combined with two variable data printers. This configuration makes it possible to work with a high level of reliability even under intensive production conditions.
The machine is structured around several key elements:
- 4 labeling heads designed to ensure continuity of label application.
- 2 integrated printers for printing variable information such as batches, dates or traceability codes.
- Optimized system for top labeling of clamshell tubs, the most common format in berry packaging.
- Easy integration into automatic soft fruit packaging lines.
Thanks to this architecture, the MCP 600T not only ensures precise label application, but also allows a constant production flow to be maintained even in the face of common labeling process incidents, such as end-of-roll or small label liner breaks.
This approach responds to a reality that is increasingly present in the fruit and vegetable sector: packaging lines work at very high rates and cannot afford frequent interruptions, especially during export campaigns.
3.1 ON/OFF system: continuous labeling without stopping production
One of the most innovative elements of the MCP 600T is its ON/OFF labeling head system, developed to avoid one of the most common situations in labeling lines: the need to stop production to change a label roll.
In a conventional labeling line, when the label roll runs out or a head failure occurs, it is necessary to stop the machine for replacement. In high production lines, this operation can cause frequent stoppages that directly affect line performance.
To avoid this problem, the MCP 600T incorporates an architecture based on four labeling heads working redundantly.
The system works as follows:
- Two heads work as the main labeling system.
- Two heads remain in backup mode.
When one of the main heads reaches the end of the label roll, or an incident such as a liner breakage occurs, the system automatically activates the corresponding backup head.
This changeover is done instantly and without stopping the production line, allowing the operator to replace the empty roll while the system continues labeling with the alternate head.
Thanks to this system, packaging plants can maintain a continuous production flow even during routine maintenance operations.
This principle of operation makes the MCP 600T a particularly suitable solution for environments where production continuity is critical.
4. Operational benefits in high-performance packaging lines
In high-speed packaging lines, each stop directly affects the overall production output. For this reason, packing plants are looking for solutions that allow them to maintain a continuous flow of containers without interruptions.
Thanks to its four-head architecture with ON/OFF system, the MCP 600T provides very clear operational advantages in this type of environment, such as .
- Continuous production 24/7, avoiding frequent stops for label roll changes.
- Increased line efficiency by reducing interruptions in the labeling process.
- Minimal operator intervention, who can replace rolls without stopping production.
- Increased process reliability, even in high production campaigns.
- Improvement of the overall line performance (OEE).
These advantages are especially relevant in berry packing plants for export, where production volumes are high and logistic programs require stable and continuous packing processes.
In this context, solutions such as the MCP 600T allow producers to optimize their labeling lines and ensure operational continuity throughout the campaign.
5. Experience, quality and support: MarCoPack’s added value.
The incorporation of a high-production labeling machine in a packaging plant is not limited only to the purchase of a machine. In industrial projects, success depends as much on the technology as on the technical know-how and support of the manufacturer.
MarCoPack has more than 30 years of experience in the development and installation of industrial labeling systems.
The MCP 600T was initially developed to meet the needs of the Spanish market, one of the most demanding in the fruit and vegetable sector. Subsequently, its implementation was extended to large international producers, from Latin America with countries such as Peru and Mexico, to North Africa with Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco, where berry packaging lines operate on a large scale.
Throughout its history, MarCoPack has developed numerous labeling integration projects in automated production lines in Spain and in international markets, offering solutions adapted to the real needs of each plant.
Preliminary technical advice
Each project begins with a phase of analysis and technical advice, in which key aspects of the production line are studied:
- Type of packaging and labeling format
- Actual production speed
- Integration with existing weighing, conveying or locking systems
- Traceability and variable data printing requirements
This study allows defining the most suitable configuration of the labeling system, ensuring that the solution is correctly integrated into the existing line.
Online integration and installation
Once the solution has been defined, MarCoPack accompanies the customer during the entire process of installation and commissioning of the machinery, ensuring that the system works correctly within the production flow.
In industrial projects this process includes:
- Integration of the labeling machine into already operating lines
- Adjustment of the labeling system under actual production conditions
- Technical training of plant operators
Robust manufacturing for intensive production
Another differential aspect of MarCoPack’s solutions is the manufacturing quality of its equipment. The machines are designed to work in demanding industrial environments and are manufactured with top quality stainless steel, which guarantees:
- High durability of equipment
- Wear resistance in continuous production
- Reliability in labor-intensive environments
- Increased consistency of the labeling system in the long term
This robustness is particularly important in sectors such as the fruit and vegetable industry, where production lines must run continuously for long periods.
Technical service and maintenance
In addition to the supply of machinery, MarCoPack offers technical service and specialized maintenance, ensuring that the equipment maintains its performance over time.
This support allows packaging plants to work with the peace of mind of having a manufacturer with experience, process knowledge and technical response capacity, which is especially relevant when it comes to machinery integrated in critical production lines.
Thanks to this combination of technology, industry expertise and technical support, MarCoPack has established itself as a reliable technology partner for companies seeking to optimize their labeling processes in demanding production environments.
6. Conclusion: technology and experience for 24/7 labeling lines
The global growth of the soft fruit market is driving a technological transformation in packing plants worldwide. From Europe to Latin America and North Africa, packing plants need automated, reliable processes capable of maintaining continuous production rates, especially during intensive export campaigns.
In this context, labeling becomes a critical step in the production line. Any interruption can directly affect plant performance and the logistical planning of shipments.
Solutions such as the MCP 600T respond to these needs by combining high production capacity, redundant head architecture and the ON/OFF system, which makes it possible to manage common incidents without stopping the line.
This technological approach is complemented by the experience of MarCoPack, with more than 30 years developing and integrating industrial labeling systems in different international markets.
As a result, packaging plants can count on a solution designed not only for labeling, but also to adapt to demanding production environments and ensure operational continuity throughout the campaign.
For producers and exporters looking to optimize their clamshell labeling lines, the combination of advanced technology and industrial expertise makes MarCoPack a technological partner capable of accompanying the growth of the sector globally.
Alejandro Serrano Romero
Export Executive MARCOPACK
