Discover how End-of-Line (EOL) software helps food processors prevent mislabeling, streamline packing, and ensure full traceability.
In the competitive food processing industry, the end of the production line is where everything comes together – labeling, packing, inspection, and dispatch. It’s also where small mistakes can cause costly problems. A mislabeled product, a missed order change or a slow line changeover can trigger rework, product recalls, or delay deliveries.
Modern End-of-Line (EOL) Process Solution software alone or combined with Dispatch software is transforming this critical stage, turning what was once a bottleneck into a strategic asset. Acting as the digital backbone of the packing floor, it automates control, labeling, and traceability, giving processors real-time visibility, consistent quality, and full compliance. By addressing key pain points such as mislabeling, order changes, traceability gaps, and inefficient setups, processors are turning their EOL operations into a truly competitive advantage.
Below are real-world examples of how leading food processors use JBT Marel’s EOL Process Solution software to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and prevent recalls. Turning common industry pain points into wins.
Few mistakes are as damaging as a labeling error – especially when it involves allergens or export compliance. A simple mistake can result in rework, product withdrawal, recall, and lost time, damaging both brand reputation and customer trust.
At Hazeldenes, CEO Mark Heintz recalls how digital traceability plays a vital role in preventing recalls: There was this one event that we stopped the product while it was still on the truck. Without having that functionality within the software and without having full traceability through the system, it would have got to the customer, and we would have been in recall territory rather than in withdrawal territory.”
EOL software provides automatic label verification and barcode tracking. Each pack is checked digitally before dispatch, ensuring it’s correctly labeled and compliant. Errors are flagged instantly, turning potential recalls into minor, contained corrections.
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In the fast-moving retail environment, order changes often come just before dispatch. Without digital tools, this means manual rescheduling, downtime, and missed delivery windows.
EOL software automatically reprioritizes packing orders in real time, updating operator screens and dispatch lists instantly. Supervisors can see updated schedules from a central dashboard, allowing operators to respond without chaos or downtime.
François Smit, Head of Systems and Controls for Morgan Beef, experienced the flexibility of JBT Marel’s EOL software firsthand:
“JBT Marel’s software infrastructure is great to build upon. Our previous software would have had great difficulties making changes, such as adding extra label information. With JBT Marel’s software, this was in production the very next day.”
This ability to handle last-minute order changes digitally keeps the packing floor running smoothly, even when customers move the goalposts.
A food safety issue is every processor's worst-case scenario. Tracing the affected batches quickly determines whether a problem becomes a contained issue or a national recall.
With end-of-line software, you can track every batch from source-to-shelf. Linking barcodes and production data make it possible to identify affected products within minutes.
Scottish seafood processor JK Thomson found that EOL software dramatically improved their control:
“It is very simple to use and create exactly what we need to label products,” said Matt Gibson, Technical Manager at JK Thomson. “We also send a lot of products abroad, so it’s great to be able to change language for export labels.”
With the same system, JK Thomson can now trace any product in just four minutes – a level of visibility that’s transforming food safety and customer confidence.
Switching from one product to another traditionally means reconfiguring equipment, changing label templates, and recalibrating scales. Each manual adjustment increases downtime and the risk of packaging errors and equipment misconfiguration.
EOL Process Solution software automates setup parameters and stores machine settings digitally. Operators can load new product configurations at the touch of a button, ensuring accuracy and reducing the steps that slow operators and operations down during changeover times. The result: faster line transitions and fewer mistakes during product switches.
End-of-Line Process Solution (EOL) and Dispatch Software
Inconsistent pack weights cause profit leakage and unnecessary giveaway. Without real-time feedback, operators tend to overfill to stay compliant.
EOL software continuously tracks throughput and giveaway, providing data-driven insights into portion accuracy and line performance. Managers can adjust parameters immediately, reducing overweight giveaway while maintaining quality compliance.
Many supervisors still rely on end-of-shift reports to assess line efficiency. By then, it’s too late to fix issues.
With centralized EOL dashboards, managers gain real-time visibility into line performance, output, and bottlenecks. This enables quick decisions that reduce production stoppages and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
When auditors arrive or regulators request traceability data, time is money. Digging through paper logs or multiple spreadsheets can delay shipments for hours.
EOL compliance software eliminates this bottleneck with digital recordkeeping. Every label, weight check, and inspection result is automatically stored and retrievable in seconds. Audits become a matter of minutes, not hours; keeping compliance effortless and dispatch on schedule.
What ties these capabilities together is integration. EOL Process Solution and Dispatch software connects every element – labelers, weighers, scanners, and dispatch systems – into one intelligent network, ensuring that every product is accurately labeled, traceable, and ready for shipment.
From Morgan Beef’s flexible label control to JK Thomson’s four-minute traceability, and Hazeldenes’ recall prevention, processors are proving that digital transformation at the end of line delivers measurable value.
In an industry where precision, speed, and food safety determine success, End-of-Line Process Solution and Dispatch software transforms the final stage of production into a strategic advantage – protecting your brand, your profits, and your peace of mind.