Insights

SATO Food Safety Solution Revolutionises Operations at Vissers Energy Group Petrol Stations

In today's fast-paced retail environment, balancing food safety with operational efficiency is crucial, especially for convenience stores at petrol stations. Vissers Energy Group, a prominent player in the Benelux region, recently took an innovative leap by integrating SATO's FX3-LX printer into their Moments & More convenience stores across their petrol station network. This case study examines the transformative impact of this implementation.

A Legacy of Innovation

Established in 1917, Vissers Energy Group has evolved into a fourth-generation family business, operating 65 petrol stations with over 400 employees across the Benelux region. Ivo Rutjens, Business Intelligence Specialist, emphasises the company's commitment to blending rich heritage with cutting-edge innovation.

The Labelling Challenge

Vissers faced a significant hurdle in their fresh food labelling process within their Moments & More stores. The manual system was not only time-consuming but also error-prone, posing risks in accurately labelling prices, ingredients, and allergens—a critical aspect in the fast-paced environment of petrol station convenience stores.

SATO FX3-LX: The Game-Changing Solution

The SATO FX3-LX printer emerged as the ideal solution, lauded for its user-friendly interface and robust capabilities. Ivo Rutjens elaborates, "Working with SATO, we developed a solution that seamlessly integrates our fresh food product range with our existing data systems, enabling the SATO printer to generate accurate labels by default."

Comprehensive Implementation

Rob Doorn, Formulae Advisor at Vissers, outlines the extensive deployment: "We've installed SATO printers across all our staffed locations where food handling occurs. This covers both customer-facing areas and back-of-house operations in our Moments & More stores, ensuring quality control and customer satisfaction."

Technical Excellence

Frank Boerakker, SATO Europe's Project Manager for HoReCa, highlights the technical aspects: "We've implemented SATO Online Services (SOS) and SATO App Storage (SAS) for updates at Vissers Energy Group. We've also incorporated allergen icons into the labels, enhancing clarity and regulatory compliance—crucial in a convenience store setting."

Tangible Benefits

1. Intuitive Operation: The SATO FX3-LX printer's user-friendly interface stands out. Rob Doorn notes, "Ease of use was paramount in our fast-paced environment. Other market solutions proved too complex. With SATO, if it requires explanation, it's too complicated."
2. Reduced Errors and Waste: Automating the labelling process has significantly minimised human error. Ivo Rutjens emphasises, "Less manual intervention means fewer mistakes. With everything linked to our system, we ensure label and price accuracy for our on-the-go food offerings."
3. Enhanced Shelf Life Management: The introduction of automated Best Before and Use By dates has streamlined operations. A Moments & More kitchen staff member shared, "Previously, product storage duration was ambiguous. Now, it's crystal clear, reducing unnecessary waste of our fresh food items."
4. Elevated Food Safety Standards: The system guarantees accurate labelling for all products, bolstering food safety and compliance. Frank Boerakker adds, "Handwritten labels can be illegible, leading to food waste. Our automated solution eliminates this issue, which is vital in a quick-service food environment."

A Future-Focused Partnership

The collaboration between Vissers Energy Group and SATO Europe has proven exceptionally fruitful. Rob Doorn summarises the experience: "Our partnership with SATO has been exemplary from the outset. Their swift response and implementation instilled confidence in our ongoing collaboration."

The integration of SATO's FX3-LX printer has not only enhanced food safety and operational efficiency but also set a new standard for innovation in the petrol station retail sector. For Vissers Energy Group, this partnership marks a significant milestone in their unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction in their Moments & More convenience stores.