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Jun 26, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

When Safelite Glass Corporation – the nation’s largest exclusively domestic producer of windshields for the vehicle glass replacement market – needed a special barcode sign to improve its order fulfillment process, it came to William Frick & Company – a leading producer of custom identification products like tags, signs and utility markers.

“We produced an extended barcode that wrapped around the barrel of a 10-inch diameter tube that Safelite hung from the ceiling of its distribution center,” said Brent Howell, business manager of William Frick & Company. “Most of Safelite’s order fulfillment is completed on forklifts, and their drivers were having trouble aligning the readers to the signs, which were flat. The curved surface of the tube gave their forklift drivers many angles from which to read the sign and sped up the picking process significantly.”

The new distribution center signs were part of a larger initiative at Safelite to increase sales through improved product availability. To meet this objective, Safelite needed to get a supply chain infrastructure that could support twice the volume it had been shipping. “Growing sales to leverage that infrastructure commitment became our #1 challenge,” explained project leader Michael T. Bradsher, Safelite director of accounting, manufacturing and distribution controller. “With all the infrastructure that was going to be needed to support a doubling of the shipping volume, we purchased and installed a Warehouse Management System (WMS). We also installed Frick’s more efficient barcode signs. The results have been impressive, with two physical inventories at or above 99.99 percent accuracy and reduced back office staff.”

“Frick is proud to have contributed to Safelite’s productivity and efficiency gains,” added Howell. “We congratulate Bradsher and his team for winning … Supply & Demand Chain Executive “Pros to Know” Team Award.”

Bradsher’s team was comprised of the following people: Kemp Edwards, DC Manager; Bobby W. Sanders, Jr., IT Support; Andy Scott, DC Shift Manager; Robert Tyner, Inventory Control Specialist; John Moore, IT (Retired); Randy McCombs, IT.

About William Frick & Company A leading producer of customized identification products like RFID tags, barcode labels, utility markers and signs, William Frick & Company is a trusted supplier to the telecommunications industry, oil and gas companies, electric utilities, governments and others needing labeling solutions. Frick offers best-in-class identification products and services customized to client specifications. The company is ISO 9001 certified. For more information about William Frick & Company product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call (847) 918-3700.

About Safelite Glass Corp. The nation’s largest exclusively domestic producer of windshields for the vehicle glass replacement market, Safelite Glass Corp. has a manufacturing facility in Enfield, N.C. as well as two distribution centers located in Ontario, Calif. and Braselton, Ga. The manufacturing facility serves all of the Safelite Group retail units and the customers of Safelite Group’s wholesale operations, Service AutoGlass^®. The Safelite Glass Corp. manufacturing and distribution facilities are ISO-9001 certified.

Mar 11, 2019 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

All About Domed Labels

Domed labels are thicker than standard labels because they feature a robust barrier against various elements while enhancing the visual appearance of your graphic. To help determine whether domed labels are the right choice for your business, request a free sample today.

Durable Construction

Polyurethane, which is a resin used to create the dome on top of the label, is one of the most inert types of plastics available and intended for years of use indoors or out. This resin provides scratch-resistance and is self-healing which shields your graphics from abrasive encounters. Domed labels are also resilient against harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and retain their clarity even when exposed to continuous UV rays. These features make domed labels ideal for your industrial or commercial applications.

Draws Attention

Domed labels, 3D appearance, attract more attention compared to flat labels. The transparent resin provides added visibility not just to display, but to emphasize important identifiers, instructions or emergency information. Moreover, because domed labels enhance the visuals of your graphics, they are the perfect finishing touch to branded products. Other common uses include product marking, promotional branding, decoration and more.

Versatile Customization

Like all William Frick & Company labels, domed labels are fully customizable. Choose to add text, and a logo or graphic, coupled with many base materials and printing options. Embossing and chrome or carbon fiber film can create a truly unique. In addition to these elements, the dome itself can be customized to meet the specific demands of your utilization. Lastly, domed labels are available with a pre-defined radius for attachment to curved surfaces.

Professional Appearance

Thanks to the glossy, glass-like appearance, domed labels invite individuals to look – and touch. Instead of merely adhering to a product, domed labels look as if they are part of the product. Their shiny, thick polyurethane dome catches the eye and delivers a high-quality appeal that flat alternatives may not be able to achieve.

Request a Quote

With more than 40 years of experience in labeling products, we’re ready to answer your questions and explain customization options to help guide you to the right purchase for your needs.

Dec 12, 2018 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Blank Heavy Duty Label Rolls May Not Be as “Heavy Duty” as You Think

Have you ever purchased something based on the stated information, waited for it to arrive, and disappointed to find the product wasn’t what you were expecting? If so, you are not alone. When searching for a durable label online, the term “heavy duty” can lead you to believe you’re getting a product that will survive harsh conditions and repeated use when this is not the case. Here’s what you need to know before searching for “heavy duty” labels online.

Deciphering the Term “Heavy Duty”

When searching for labels, the term “heavy duty” has its uses. However, some of those labels are only built to last a short amount of time or aren’t as sticky as they need to be. When a company claims their labels as being “heavy duty,” it may apply to that subset of labels – but that doesn’t mean it will apply to your application. If you find you’re frequently replacing your labels despite the fact it’s advertised as “heavy duty,” there’s a good chance they aren’t right for your application.

Understanding the Four Parts of a Label

When it comes to finding or constructing a label that will suit your application, there are four essential components to consider:

Adhesives

There are many types of adhesives. Some are slightly tacky for clean removal, others are considered “permanent” depending on the application, and dozens of others fall between these two extremes.

Materials

The actual label material also plays a role in how well it holds up in certain environments. A label made from thin paper, for example, will deteriorate when exposed to rain while a label made from vinyl, polyester or similar materials will stand up to those conditions.

Ink

Inks used in off-the-shelf printers are often inexpensive and not as heavy duty as they should be. Many won’t resist UV rays, solvents, oil, abrasion, or even water. Instead, consider inks for commercial and industrial use.

Lamination

Finally, lamination is one of the most important factors when purchasing a truly heavy duty label. It shields both the material and ink from the elements and harmful chemicals. Laminates made with a high performance material such as heavy polyester will hold up in about any environment.

The durability of heavy duty labels is in the ink and lamination. If not constructed of high-grade inks and lamination, the label may not be heavy duty enough. When searching for a label that best suits your unique application, remember that each of these four label components can be modified to produce the right product for your needs.

Rather than buying average blank or pre-printed labels, it’s essential to turn to experts who understand your specific requirements for your unique application – that’s where William Frick and Company excels. No matter your application, we can work with you to find or construct the perfect solution by ensuring all four components of your label are correctly combined to provide lasting durability and superb adhesion to surfaces.

Dec 12, 2018 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Extreme Manufacturing Meets Extreme RFID Tracking: Discover the High Temperature Armored 300C RFID Tag

RFID not only helps make workflows more efficient by saving time and minimizing error, but it also gives you more flexibility by reading multiple tags at once and the ability to reuse tags. However, you might think that because your manufacturing facility has extreme conditions, RFID technology is limiting since many options will not survive your environment. Thanks to technologies like the SmartMark^™ High Temperature Armored 300C RFID tag, available from William Frick and Company, this is no longer the case.

What Is the SmartMark High Temperature Armored 300C RFID Tag?

Typical RFID tags will not survive industrial and commercial processes, like powder coating, where parts are exposed routinely to extreme temperatures and chemicals. Tags like the high temperature Armored 300C RFID tag, provide you the benefits of RFID technology no matter how intense your facility environment is. This unique tag withstands extreme temperatures and many passes through chemical processes while still maintaining its readability and function. It also resists motor oil, most solvents, and the majority of acids and bases without affecting the operation or readability of the tag. Most RFID tags cannot survive exposure to both high temperatures and extreme chemicals.

The high temperature Armored 300C RFID tag welds or bolts to metal surfaces, including claws and racks used that move parts around assembly lines. It offers incredible survivability even when it comes to numerous layers of chemicals and exposure to temperatures up to 300 or 400 degrees Celsius (572-752 degrees Fahrenheit) for brief periods of time.

Thanks to its housing, the high temperature Armored 300C RFID tag reads best on metal surfaces due to the metal amplifying its signal. Its read range has been tested to read up to 6.5 feet. You can attach the tags to virtually any ferrous or non-ferrous metal surfaces. RFID Tag & System Solution.

The high temperature Armored 300C RFID tag solution is excellent for industries that could benefit from RFID technology but have previously been unable to use it due to challenges extreme environments create. These industries include everything from automotive manufacturing to oil, gas and water, healthcare, and construction.

With manufacturing facilities now having the ability to track their extreme processes with the high temperature Armored 300C RFID tag, implementation of an RFID system may be another constraint to using RFID. Many enterprise RFID systems are known to be expensive and require large infrastructures. However, there is an affordable option available for manufacturing.

Affordable RFID Capture System

Our system is a flexible and scalable data collection platform that allows you to collect clean and verifiable data using custom digital forms and RFID. The mobile and cloud based deployment eliminates an extensive and costly infrastructure. Increase visibility into your business by creating relevant dashboards to review your collected data and make data-driven decisions.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ways our technology can benefit your company, contact the friendly experts at William Frick and Company today. With this unique tag’s incredibly rugged build and durability in various extreme environments, it could be the perfect solution for your tracking, identification, or quality control needs, no matter what kind of situation you expose it too.

Nov 28, 2018 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Marker posts are ideal for identifying buried electric cable, fiber optic routes and gas and water pipelines. While there are several product manufacturers, not all of these products are the same. There are many things to consider when choosing the right post markers for your company or organization, but durability should be at the top of the list. Three unique types of marker posts are available from William Frick & Company – DomedPost^®, TestPost^®, and FlexPost^® – offer outstanding quality and a solution to your need.

DomedPost Markers

DomedPost Markers are made of 100% virgin high-density UV-stabilized polyethylene for incredible durability. The 360-degree visibility ensures proper viewing from all sides and the graphics are just as durable as the posts themselves. Rather than stickers or surface printing, the graphics are embedded in the post to prevent fading, chipping, and peeling.

DomedPost markers come in standard lengths, APWA colors, and graphics, but all of this can be customized to your needs if you prefer. Each post comes with an anchor bar for installation, and they last up to 25 years or more.

TestPost Markers

TestPost Markers build on the quality and durability of DomedPost markers with the addition of a cathodic protection test station/terminal. These terminals are enclosed in high-impact Lexan, which is a polycarbonate plastic that can withstand even the harshest outdoor environment. To make wire attachment easier, optional compression lugs are available, and you can also choose an optional customizable faceplate that is rugged enough to stand up to the weather, repeated handling, and more.

Just like the DomedPost, TestPost markers are available with standard sizes, colors, and graphics, but these can be customized. The polyethylene post and the graphics offer up excellent resistance to precipitation, chemicals, UV rays, and abrasion. The posts themselves will last for 25 years or more, and the graphics are guaranteed to last a lifetime.

FlexPost Markers

FlexPost Markers are also durable, but their bendable nature lends well to certain environments where impacts with vehicles, equipment, or even livestock are common. They are made from quality flexible reinforced composite fiberglass so they spring right back into its original position following disturbances and impacts, which can greatly reduce the need to replace or repair post markers in the field. FlexPost markers resist water, solvents, fading, and abrasion, and they can be used in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Each post can be customized with your choice of reflective or non-reflective vinyl labels that feature permanent adhesive and high-quality UV resistant lamination. FlexPost markers come in standard sizes and APWA colors, but these can be customized to your needs. You can also customize the graphics for each post with your own custom message or logo.

Marker posts are effective tools for marking things like underground utility lines, property boundaries, trails, and more, and choosing the right marker for the job is critical for its overall success. DomedPost, FlexPost, and TestPost markers from William Frick and Company can serve all of these purposes, and thanks to the company’s dedication to high-quality products, they will continue to do so for many years to come.

Sep 2, 2015 by wfcostage Leave a Comment

Comcast recently launched an ambitious Nationwide Recycling Program as it took initiatives to protect the environment. Organized by the company’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) team, the program focused on making recycling clear, easy to understand and very simple to use.

The EHS team has a program where Comcast technicians divide recyclable materials into color-coded receptacles according to type

Cardboard only
Flamables and aerosols
Used batteries, cords and cables
Used remotes and power cords
Used tapes and splitters
Univeral waste/electronic devices
Trash only

The matching recycling signs and labels, provided by William Frick & Company, featured photos and illustrations of items for placement in the appropriate bin.

Creating Outdoor Durable Recycling Signs – From Artwork Creation To Nationwide Distribution

The safety manager at Comcast reached out to Frick to help with the recycling program. Comcast had been a long-time customer of Frick for signs, labels and utility products and knew the standard of work Frick could deliver, including creating high-quality artwork for the program.

“We produced three types of signage for Comcast: mounted signs, floor signs and receptacle labels,” says Sherry Weber, Senior Business Manager at William Frick & Company. “Because the receptacles were textured, we chose labels with a special adhesive which sticks to uneven surfaces yet remain firmly in place in rough environments.”

Frick coordinates the delivery of the final products to over 300 fulfillment centers across the country.

Team Effort Yields Outstanding Results

In less than two years, over 11 million pounds of materials were recycled. “Part of the success was due to clear communications and ease of implementation,” according to Comcast officials. As a result of the National Recycling Program, Comcast was recognized in the cable industry by CableFax magazine with its Top Ops Award in the MSO Social Responsibility category.

“This was truly a company-wide effort lead by Heidy Kelley, VP of EHS,” says Joe Crandall of Greencastle Consulting, a project management firm that helped Comcast launch the program. Comcast should be “proud of the millions of pounds of material that has already been diverted from landfills.”

For more information about the program and its award, read the CableFax magazine article.

About William Frick & Company

William Frick & Company is a customer-driven ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of specialty identification products such as RFID tags, barcode labels, signs and utility markers. Since 1975, we have been a trusted supplier to OEMs, the logistics and telecommunications industries, oil and gas companies, electric utilities, and governments.

For more information about William Frick & Company, please call 847-281-5534.

Sources

http://corporate.comcast.com/images/2015-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-Report.pdf

http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vcabfax15/i3/p10

http://www.greencastleconsulting.com/congratulations-to-comcast/

Creating Outdoor Durable Recycling Signs – From Artwork Creation To Nationwide Distribution

Team Effort Yields Outstanding Results

About William Frick & Company

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