Further investment by Beacon Foods

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Marco have gained a second significant order from leading British ingredients specialist Beacon Foods for further expansion of its Trac-IT factory profitability system.

A family business established in 1993, Beacon Foods employs around 100 people and is the UK's leading specialist producer of roasted and char grilled vegetables and fruit ranges, relishes, chutneys and compotes
The existing Trac-IT system was installed in 2007 and has brought important improvements to the Beacon manufacturing process. Integrating with their Sage management system, it integrates traceability with recipe and stock control, from goods-in through to final dispatch.

This roll out of further Trac-IT modules will now control the complete process from the initial order and the amount of raw materials required, through to labelling, warehouse management, transport and invoicing.

"Extending the existing system to packing, despatch and transport in 2010 is going to benefit all departments,"

said Sandra Thomas, Beacon Foods' IT controller.

"The enhanced production planning system will provide better management information to control waste and improve efficiency."

Beacon's MD Edward Gough is equally impressed with the benefits the Marco system is bringing to his business commenting:

"Trac-It has become the life blood of our production processes. Its future proof connectivity has been clearly demonstrated with this second phase and as we grow our business we know Trac-It will be there to help."

The Trac-IT system takes full advantage of the latest portable data acquisition and wireless technologies including PDAs and PDTs. Drivers will have portable hand held devices in their lorries to update delivery information and the system can also manage critical vehicle fleet attributes. Further stock control and warehouse management capabilities will bring additional process control advantages.

Marco's MD Murray Hilborne is delighted with this latest order from Beacon and as he concludes:

"Fresh food companies around the world are under increasing pressures to improve profitability at a time when margins are being squeezed and capital expenditure is under close scrutiny. The continued trust placed by Beacon in our capabilities clearly demonstrates that our profitability systems do make a significant difference, whilst providing a measurable return on investment."