Triangle, the emblematic manufacturer of high-end Hi-Fi loudspeakers, recently implemented an innovative solution to optimise its labelling processes. In partnership with NeoTrace, an expert in marking and traceability, and TSC printers, a global manufacturer of thermal printing, Triangle benefits from the latest technology to meet the changes & evolutions in the audio market.
A Geometric and Acoustic Story
Founded in 1980 by a passionate designer engineer, Renaud de Vergnette, the company gets its name from the pyramidal shape of its first speaker, the “1180”. The pyramid, like the triangle, has always guided the brand's philosophy, even influencing the design of supports for speakers and the design of amplifiers. The emphasis is from the start placed on acoustic quality and “Made in France” know-how.
Triangle, a Booming Company
With more than 40 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of acoustic equipment, the company, based in Soissons, has been growing rapidly for the last three years with around twenty employees in France. Triangle offers three product ranges “Made in France”, with a fourth coming next year, and offers a whole panel of products ranging from speakers to supports, including turntables, subwoofers, or active speakers, to reproduce the beauty of music.
Over the years, Triangle has successfully adapted its strategy to market trends and evolutions. The trend for, on one side dematerialised music and, on the other side the coming back to equipment that has marked recent decades such as vinyl turntables, strengthened the success of the brand, offering customers speakers ranging from high-quality and hand-assembled products to Bluetooth speakers with a refined aesthetic that characterises Triangle identity.
The Evolution of Labelling: an Innovative Challenge
The main problem for Triangle was related to the excessive production of labels. To tackle the labelling challenge, Triangle rethought its approach to reduce waste and optimise its processes. The company proposes 16 speaker models, with 3 finishes, and 3 labels per unit box. Considering that labels have a unit serial number and that the speakers are assembled at the request, each serial number gets 3 possible finishes. Of these three finishes, only one will be used and therefore the remaining 2 sets of labels will be thrown away.
This superfluous waste and loss of time searching for the right label among all printed, represented obstacles to productivity. The company also wanted to deal with labels damaged during transport for customer returns, thus preventing optimal compliance.
A Perfect Needs Analysis for Concrete Results
On the recommendation of NeoTrace, after drafting the specifications and analysing customer needs, Triangle could test and appreciate the performance of TSC printers, thanks to a tailor-made pilot solution granted for a few months, before selecting the latest MB340T model.
“TSC MB340T thermal printers, connected directly to our computers, satisfy all our label needs including the different formats, from our speakers “made in France” to customer returns products. We can create tailor-made labels according to each model and finishing, which allows us to print three times less labels than before." explains Julien Thaler.
A Tailor-Made Labelling Solution
“The solution was custom made,” confirms Olivier Sansano, Managing Director at NeoTrace. “As a partner specialised in printing and labelling, we bring real added value to our customers, offering a concrete response to their needs. For Triangle, we needed to meet the same quality requirements for labels as for its speakers – most of them are guaranteed up to 5 years - for a perfect readability of the information over the long term.
The solution includes labelling software, TSC MB240T printers and pre-printed colour labels ready for customisation. Triangle can therefore design its label models, in different dimensions (80x30mm and 90x150mm) and print the information on demand, filling the specific fields.
The 4-inch MB240T printers provide thermal transfer label printing with 300 dpi resolution, delivering high-definition quality and ensuring label durability. These products feature high print speed (up to 254mm/sec) to satisfy on-demand label printing needs. They are also equipped with a 3.5-inch colour LCD touch screen with high contrast for perfect visualisation of information and better use comfort.
Thanks to TSC's MB240T printers, Triangle can precisely print all the data needed to identify and track its products (serial numbers, reference, characteristics, etc.) but also barcodes for traceability and even shipping information for packaging (weight, quantity, etc.). Furthermore, TSC printers are compatible with different label models, formats and rolls, increasing ease of use and allowing Triangle to improve productivity.
Benefits and Return on Investment
In terms of significant benefits, Triangle prints around 2,000 labels per year, saving two labels per speaker and six labels per carton packaging. This innovative printing and labelling solution simplified Triangle’s daily operations while reinforcing the company's ethics and ecological commitment.
Partnership with NeoTrace and TSC
Thanks to the NeoTrace partnership and TSC printers, Triangle can cope with peak activities and growing online orders, to manage all sales of its “made in France” products, coming from its own website or e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, in France and throughout the world via its network of partners and resellers.
Triangle underlines the importance of the service and support provided by TSC partner, NeoTrace, and its ability in resolving their labelling problem.
“NeoTrace was attentive to our specific needs, offering us the opportunity to test TSC printers for a perfect handling and integration of the solution. The ongoing support and the delivery of a tailor-made solution were essential for the success of this project." concludes Julien Thaler.
About Triangle
Since 1980, Triangle designed and manufactured high-end Hi-Fi speakers, combining exceptional sound quality with careful aesthetics. With a dedicated team and a 40-year history, Triangle is committed to delivering an immersive audio experience.
About NeoTrace
NeoTrace excels in providing labelling solutions, material marking, printing for labels, and much more. Specialising in blank and printed labels, black and white and colour label printers, as well as barcode reading equipment, NeoTrace covers the entire spectrum of product marking and traceability.
About TSC Printronix Auto ID
Printronix Auto ID is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative asset tracking and identification solutions, including mobile, desktop, industrial and enterprise-grade barcode label printers, RFID printers, barcode label inspection systems, print engines, and genuine supplies. With one of the industry's most comprehensive selection of barcode label printers, TSC Printronix Auto ID provides solutions for transportation and logistics, retail, manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare, and automotive companies seeking world-class, innovative, and high-performance tracking and identification solutions. With over 7,3 million printers sold around the world, TSC Printronix Auto ID is committed to providing strong local sales engineering support, continuous investment in new product development, and quick solutions to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and Fortune 500 companies.
TSC and Printronix Auto ID are proud members of the TSC Auto ID Technology Company family. In the EMEA region, TSC is represented by its subsidiary TSC Auto ID Technology EMEA GmbH in Zorneding (Munich). The GmbH is responsible for sales, support and marketing of both brands TSC and Printronix Auto ID in the regions of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Managing Directors are Amine Soubai and Ladislav Sloup. TSC sells its products exclusively through distributors and value-added resellers (VAR).