In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses worldwide have had to pivot away from their former business models, forcing them to find innovative ways to serve their customers while focusing on how to remain profitable. Industries nationwide have shifted their focus to how to best safely serve their communities. Businesses have come together, working hand-in-hand in an effort to discover new, durable and trustworthy products that can be used to assist essential workers in their communities. Suppliers of medical and pharmaceutical industries had to act swiftly to function and increase production in a safe manner to support essential workers. Meanwhile, consumer-based industries like the food, transportation, and logistics industries were forced to pivot towards more creative and efficient operations remaining in compliance with local lawmakers, in order to survive.
The medical industry is one of the most heavily effected industries from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Production for anything medical related was ramped up instantly. The medical field required a mass production of high performing medical labels to match the influx of medical supplies. The labeling industry was able to meet those demands, increasing their production for labels such as color- coded sample identifiers, prescribed medicine labels, medical equipment labels, and health and safety and warning labels. Other labels that have become an absolute necessity are those labels used for distinguishing PPE for the front-line workers. Front-line workers require proper, easy-to read and understand labeling that is durable enough to withstand constant usage and harsh environments without fading, tearing or otherwise compromising functionality.
A close relative to the medical industry that also needed to step up its production as a result from COVID-19 was the pharmaceutical industry. An increase in demand for both over the counter medications and doctor-prescribed medications resulted in a surge in demand for these products – and the labels that identify them. There was a massive need for pharmaceutical legislation regulated labels that are durable enough to withstand the production, storage, shipment, distribution, and shelving associated with a supply chain. A majority of pharmacies obtain the patient’s information from doctor’s offices and hospitals, so that they may print the labeling for the prescription bottles using in-house thermal printers. Once these labels are printed (often with critical dosing information), they are applied to the medicine container.
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industries
The food preparation industry has also been heavily affected by the ongoing pandemic. The food industry has certainly faced unique struggles during this time of uncertainty. From restaurants to food manufacturers and grocery stores – the entire food preparation industry was forced to find new and creative ways to produce and provide food to its customers, all while social distancing and following strict safety protocols. Labels helped to identify and ensure certain safety measures within the workspace and on food products.
Examples of these types of labels include:
- Tamper evident labels to ensure safely prepared and stored food.
- Durable floor labels to remind customers, staff, and delivery personnel to safely social distance following local guidelines.
- Extreme temperature labels to handle the rise in demand of food which would be stored in cool freezer temperatures – making sure the supply matches the projected demand for food.
The food industry had to give off a sense of safety for their employees to feel comfortable enough to return back to their much-needed positions, as well as providing enough precautions so that customers would also begin to return to their establishments.
Logistics and Distribution Industry
Another industry whose essential workers were affected was the logistics industry. The logistics industry had to think outside of the box in an effort to navigate COVID-19 as delivering products to people, organizations, and businesses in need became an essential and critical role. Warehouses needed more employees than ever before to keep up with the surge in demand for products of all kinds (toilet paper anyone?) Essential workers in the logistics industry used labels to keep inventory organized and make their jobs manageable. Tracking and barcode labels which can be scanned electronically aided these employees in accomplishing their jobs while managing inventory. Thermal printed labels are scanned and tracked during post-production, packaging, inventory storage, shipping, departure, and arrival. Employees worldwide handling logistics and distribution need reliable, high quality labels that can be trusted to remain intact and scannable for the duration of a products’ shipment process.
Household Cleaning and Disinfectant Industry
As states were placed on stay-at-home orders and concern for cleanliness and sanitation increased, the demand for at-home cleaning supplies hit an all-time high. From heavy duty cleaning supplies for surfaces to self-care sanitation products (like soap), the cleaning industry struggled to keep up with demand. Individuals and businesses alike were clearing shelves of cleaning and sanitation products nationwide in an effort to keep their households and work spaces safe and clean. To produce reliable and trustworthy disinfectants, suppliers would need a durable label to disclose the disinfectant’s ingredients.
Sanitation employees (like janitorial staff) became front-line workers as they combatted the virus in public spaces. High performing durable labels are required to withstand the heavy usage of disinfecting and cleaning products in an industrial setting and must be capable of resisting the bottled chemicals.
The transportation industry is one of the most affected industries because nearly all public transportation was shut down for an extended period of time as we learned to navigate COVID-19. One of the main precautions put in place to help ease the industry back into action was the implementation of safety labels. These safety labels were placed on local buses, trains, subways, taxis, etc. to help give their consumers a sense of safety as they began to use public transportation once again. Eye-catching color-coded labels reminded riders of social distancing protocols, durable labels on windows and doors enforced mask wearing, and all-temperature labels were placed on outdoor surfaces to update passengers on updated guidelines.
The labeling industry has always been critical in identifying products and providing important product information; but the current pandemic has amplified the necessity of quality labeling. COVID-19 has proven how flexible industries can be in order to continue to provide life-saving products and services. The labeling industry quickly became one of the most essential industries to help keep the global supply chain functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While following strict safety protocols, Alpine Packaging wasted no time in ramping up production of labels for its life-saving customers without sacrificing quality. We are proud to continue to provide long-lasting and durable high-performance labels for essential businesses across many industries during this difficult time. To learn more about how we can help your business keep up with the ever-changing labeling needs in today’s economic climate, contact us today!