FoodLogistics.com |

Welch’s is the world’s leading marketer of Concord and Niagara-based grape products—with over 400 items ranging from refrigerated juices and sparkling juice cocktails to jams, jellies and a variety of single-serve products in all shapes and sizes.

Headquartered in Concord, MA, birthplace of the Concord grape, its products are sold throughout the U.S. and in more than 35 countries and territories around the world. That equates to about 5 million pallets of product shipped annually to customers.

With such high volumes and a strong commitment to customer service, Welch’s wanted to ensure it had the most efficient, reliable solution for quick and accurate delivery. So, the company turned to ClearOrbit, an Austin, TX-based provider of real-time supply chain execution and reverse logistics software solutions and a Zebra Technologies value-added reseller.

ClearOrbit has been working with manufacturers and distributors to orchestrate the movement of goods through the extended supply network for over 15 years. Welch’s selected ClearOrbit because of the firm’s reputation and successful track record in extending Oracle enterprise solutions.

ClearOrbit helped Welch’s design and implement a high-speed, high-volume print and apply labeling line for pallets of products packaged and shrink-wrapped for delivery to customers. At the time of implementation, Welch’s was simultaneously implementing an Oracle enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to replace its outdated and rigid legacy system.

“Simultaneous implementation was helpful because we were able to ensure that the two systems worked together seamlessly and smoothly,” says Pat Anderson, project manager at ClearOrbit.

Prior to implementation, ClearOrbit helped Welch’s analyze its process, define the requirements and re-engineer certain processes to streamline work flow and better align the systems to leverage the software’s capabilities.

Previously, tracking of products and batch lots was done manually due to the limitations of the legacy ERP system. With ClearOrbit’s Gemini for Oracle Process Manufacturing system and the new compliance labeling system, Welch’s can now apply a unique identifier bar code label to accurately track batch lots, sub-lots and even individual ingredients from source to finished product to the retailers’ shelves.