A Forward-Thinking Meat Processor Optimizes Production, Traceability, and Retail Labeling with Robust TSC Printers and Integrated Software

Background

Solar Meats, LLC, a growing, quality-focused meat processing company based in Wisconsin, specializes in custom butchering and retail cuts for local producers. As a dedicated partner in the local food economy, Solar Meats is experiencing rapid growth, which accelerates the need for modernization. Their continued expansion requires a labeling and data management system capable of handling high-volume production while ensuring stringent food safety compliance and market-ready label quality.

Challenges

The Solar Meats legacy system caused significant bottlenecks in their production flow, impeding their ability to scale efficiently:

Costly, Time-Consuming Repairs and Updates
With the previous system, any equipment failure required taking the unit out of production and waiting for the equipment vendor to make a costly on-site visit. To keep production going, Solar Meats purchased “backup” systems to use while waiting for technicians, increasing their total cost of operation.

Labor Cost Increase
The old system proved difficult for the office manager to update efficiently. Changes needed to be applied sequentially to multiple devices. Beyond delays, this created an increase in labor costs.

Compliance Risk
The outdated infrastructure risked inaccurate labeling, potentially leading to non-compliance with federal traceability requirements for packaged meat in food processing.

Inconsistent Print Quality
Outdated infrastructure requiring too-small labels led to inconsistent print quality, directly impacting product presentation.

Solutions

TSC Auto ID model MB241 industrial barcode printers power a comprehensive, real-time labeling and traceability platform implemented by Pioneer Retail Systems, LLC, utilizing ScaleFusion software from StrategyBytes, LLC and the TEKLYNX Software Development-Kit (SDK).

The solution enables seamless integration and immediate data synchronization:

Industrial-Grade Printing
Pioneer Retail Systems chose TSC printers for superior print quality, efficiency, and proven reliability in rugged, high-volume food processing environments.

Centralized, Instant Update
StrategyBytes integrates the TEKLYNX SDK to simplify labeling tasks. StrategyBytes ScaleFusion software ensures accurate weights, tracks all production, and prints attractive, easy-to-read labels. ScaleFusion network connectivity instantly transfers label format and ingredient changes from the administrator to local workstations.

Real-Time Traceability
By generating high-quality, clear barcode labels (which serve as the physical data carriers for lot, weight, and ingredient information), the TSC Auto ID printers ensure accurate data capture necessary for digital traceability.

Automation Foundation
BThis seamless tracking capability sets the foundation for advanced automation capabilities to further optimize inventory management.

The decision to standardize on TSC printers, selecting the MB241, is driven by the need for proven reliability, minimal support overhead, and seamless compatibility with critical TEKLYNX labeling software components.

Why TSC Auto ID?

Reliability and Uptime
As Solar Meats notes, the printers are known for their “lack of having to call support. They just work,” providing consistent operation essential for perishable goods processing. “In the 18 months that we’ve been using the Pioneer system... we have not had one issue with the printer, not one hiccup,” says Rich Sitarski, Partner of Solar Meats.

Label Quality
TSC printers deliver the print quality required to meet strict industry and retail packaging standards, ensuring easily scanned barcodes and clear, crisp text.

Integrated Efficiency
Pioneer Retail Systems, StrategyBytes, TSC Auto ID, and TEKLYNX provide a reliable, industry-proven solution that enables Solar Meats to focus entirely on data and compliance management through ScaleFusion, confident that the printers will print accurate labels every time. Rich describes, “With the old system, it was strictly manually counting, manually adding weights. This would add 10% time to each order.”

Remote Troubleshooting
Pioneer Retail Systems helps Solar Meats fix problems with a phone call and can even take control of their systems as needed. This dramatically increases uptime and eliminates expensive onsite repair visits, or lengthy service delays. Rich Sitarski says, “I can reach out and within five to ten minutes Pioneer is calling me back and they’re fixing it.”

“With the new TSC system, changes happen in seconds. It goes to all the computers instantly, with no disruption. If an ingredient is wrong or a label needs fixing, I can do it myself. It’s fast, easy, and doesn’t slow anyone down.” — Susie Steiskal, Office Manager, Solar Meats.

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About the Partners
TSC Auto ID is committed to providing exceptional customer service. Their team of experts worked closely with BlueTrace to implement a labeling solution that met their specific needs. This collaborative approach ensured a smooth transition and ongoing support for BlueTrace.

	TSC Auto ID is a leading provider of innovative thermal label printing solutions. Founded in 1991, the company owns and operates ISO certified production facilities and has offices around the world, serving customers in more than 100 countries.
	Solar Meats LLC was founded in 2018 by a seasoned veteran butcher and an experienced business manager. In 2021 an engineer with business experience and deep knowledge of equipment, building and water management joined the Solar Meats ownership team. The mission was to provide much needed slaughter, meat processing, retail quality packaging and labeling to producers of SW Wisconsin.
	TEKLYNX barcode and RFID label design products, and the people behind its solutions, make labeling operations efficient, accurate, secure, and industry compliant. To learn more about how TEKLYNX helps companies across industries, visit teklynx.com. Barcode Better™ with TEKLYNX.
	StrategyBytes, LLC is a software company that developed Scale Fusion weighing and labeling software to integrate scales and label printers into one unified system. Scale Fusion also provides inventory management, order fulfilment, warehouse management, raw material inventory, and product traceability in the food industry. Our application is used in the cheese and meat industries, as well as other food and produce industries.
	Pioneer Retail Systems LLC was established in 2006, with two decades of multi-industry expertise to our clients. Our diverse background in both label & computer software/hardware, meat equipment, accounting, retail, and sales provides quality products/services for your business needs.