Case Study: Rite Aid boosts tote labeling reliability with SATO print-and-apply systems

Rite Aid Corp boosts tote labeling uptime with Sato, handling 12,000–25,000 totes a day

Rite Aid Corp, a major drugstore chain, required a highly reliable and durable print-and-apply labeling system for its demanding distribution center operations. The challenge was to find equipment that could withstand constant use while applying labels to reusable plastic totes, integrate seamlessly with their complex picking system, and provide critical error-checking to avoid costly line stoppages. They selected the PA/5000 label printer/applicator system from vendor Sato.

The Sato solution integrated print engines and applicators to automatically generate and apply detailed barcoded shipping labels to each tote. This system provided the necessary inputs and outputs for full integration, advanced error-checking functions that halted operations for any problems, and the reliability to run continuously. The results were highly successful, with the Sato equipment achieving significant uptime and improving picking efficiency by preventing conveyor backups, all without any major maintenance issues.

Rite Aid Corp