A family-owned business in Barnsley has taken a significant step to combat counterfeiting with its innovative security labels.
The company’s new label, backed by a government grant, aims to help brands ensure the authenticity of their products easily.
Pioneering Security Labels
JK Machinery, specialising in flexographic printing, is developing an advanced security label to authenticate products via an app.
The patented design incorporates an invisible, complex code that only the dedicated application can read, marking a notable improvement over traditional QR codes.
Investment and Support
To facilitate the development and mass production of this label, the firm has invested in a new £9,000 printing press, supported by a Business Productivity and Digitalisation Grant.
The grant, secured through Barnsley Council’s Enterprising Barnsley programme, is also backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and partly funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Enhancing Product Authenticity
Technical director, Jack Round, noted the excitement surrounding the project, stating the importance of such security for manufacturers whose products are susceptible to counterfeiting.
“The international trade in counterfeit goods has grown massively in recent years, and we aim to help our customers enhance their product protection significantly”, Round stated.
JK Machinery aims to make the authentication process user-friendly while presenting a formidable challenge for counterfeiters attempting to replicate the coding.
Strategic Growth and Production Efficiency
The new printing press, funded by the grant, is expected to streamline both the development of the new labels and overall production processes.
Without this grant, the firm’s innovation and production enhancements would have been significantly delayed, affecting their market readiness.
Diversified Business Operations
JK Machinery’s business model comprises not just the production of printed packaging and labels but also refurbishing, updating and servicing flexographic conversion machines for other businesses.
This dual approach has positioned the company as a versatile player in the manufacturing sector.
Industry and Community Impact
Paul Johnson, Business Support Advisor at Enterprising Barnsley, praised JK Machinery’s commitment to innovation, highlighting its global impact on fighting counterfeit goods.
“Their innovation benefits their business while showcasing Barnsley as a hub for manufacturing and technological advancement”, Johnson added.
Grant and Funding Details
The Business Productivity and Digitisation grant, integral to JK Machinery’s new project, is part of a UK-wide initiative aimed at enhancing business productivity.
With £5.2 million invested through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this grant enables companies to tackle specific productivity challenges by funding key capital or revenue projects.
JK Machinery’s innovative approach places them at the forefront of the fight against counterfeit products, bolstered by strategic investment and community support.
Their new high-tech security labels not only promise enhanced product authenticity but also signify a step forward in manufacturing innovation within Barnsley.