Insights

Plant Labelling in Full Bloom: How Plant Center Op de Hipt Modernised Goods Handling with SATO and P4IT

In Kamp-Lintfort on the Lower Rhine, Plant Center op de Hipt welcomes customers into more than 8,000 square metres of greenhouses and retail space. But behind the vibrant displays of seasonal plants lies a complex daily operation—one that, until recently, relied on handlabeller to identify goods.

Labelling each incoming item with a handlabeller was not only time-consuming, but it also left little room for detail. Price and company log were the only information fitting on the small labels, creating extra steps later in the checkout process.

That has now changed. With support from Dombrowski Product Labelling and integration partner P4IT, Op de Hipt introduced a complete solution based on the SATO CL4NX Plus printer—automating the label creation process and enabling barcode scanning from the moment new stock arrives.

“In the past, the goods in the garden centre were marked out with a handlabeller,” said Christian Cürvers, Consumables Product Manager at SATO Europe. “This was tedious and left little room for important information on the label.”

Now, when their delivery truck arrives with fresh stock, staff at Op de Hipt unload the goods and enter a simple PLU number into a connected keyboard. Within seconds, the CL4NX Plus prints a complete loop label with all the relevant data: name, price, barcode, and product details. The plant is labelled on the spot and moved directly to its final retail location.

“After unloading the truck, the new SATO solution is accessed,” Cürvers explained. “The customer only has to enter a PLU number on the external keyboard of the printer. After that, the finished label is printed with all the information.”

This shift in process has improved more than just speed. It’s also enhanced the customer experience. With barcode data now available on every product, checkout becomes faster and more reliable. Staff can spend less time dealing with pricing issues—and more time engaging with customers.

“They are simply faster with the processing,” said Cürvers. “And can then also turn to the customer in person again.”

The system’s backbone is SATO’s Application Enabled Printind (AEP), which allows custom templates and workflows to be developed directly on the printer. For P4IT, this meant creating a user-friendly interface that gives Op de Hipt complete control over their labelling—without needing ongoing technical support.

“We have designed the template and the application in such a way that op de Hipt has the possibility to adapt these items,” said Tobias Süther, Head of Sales at P4IT. “If items fall out or have to be changed, or price adjustments have to be made, op de Hipt can do all this on its own.”

With industry-grade hardware, weather-resistant labels, and a flexible configuration tailored to their needs, Plant Center Op de Hipt now benefits from a labelling system that matches the scale and pace of their business.

It’s a clear example of how the right combination of technology, expertise, and local partnership can help a growing business take the next step—without overcomplicating daily operations.

Contact the team to learn how we can tailor a solution for your business.