Potato Supplier Wins from Marking System Upgrade

In a fastmoving produce environment, GPOD needed a cleaner, more flexible approach that would support accuracy without disrupting operations. The desired solution had to meet the following critical objectives:

• Support quality standards and customer expectations
• Integrate seamlessly into existing operations
• Support efficiency, traceability, and day-to-day production confidence
• Ensure accurate, legible codes across packaged potatoes
• Perform reliably in a produce environment without adding unnecessary complexity or maintenance burden to operations

The Solution

As part of a facility remodel, GPOD partnered with Matthews Marking Systems to implement a centralized marking solution built around MPERIA® software. Today, GPOD operates 20 L12 thermal inkjet printers, two T50 printers, and A-Series print-and-apply labelers, all managed through a single, centralized MPERIA® platform.

By incorporating 2D barcodes into the marking process, GPOD eliminated the need for boxes to remain in sequence. Boxes can now be removed from the line and reintroduced at any point, with MPERIA® ensuring the correct information is applied based on the barcode, regardless of position.

The centralized system also allows GPOD’s team to monitor and adjust printers from multiple locations throughout the facility, reducing unnecessary movement and simplifying daytoday operations.

The Results

Since implementing the Matthews solution, GPOD has achieved five operational wins since implementing the Matthews solution:

• Improved code accuracy by eliminating mislabeled or mis-marked boxes
• Cleaner, more sanitary production lines with cartridge based ink systems and reduced mess
• Clearer, more consistent print quality across boxes and bags
• Simplified operation and maintenance, allowing staff to focus on product quality rather than printing issues
• High reliability and uptime, even in a high volume environment marking millions of boxes annually

GPOD now marks approximately 3–3.2 million boxes per year, often printing a box every second during production, with confidence that each mark is correct and consistent. “With the MPERIA system, we can control all of our printers and labelers in one place. It’s easy to use, very reliable, and it lets our team focus on the efficiency and quality of the plant instead of worrying about printing.” Ryan Bybee, General Manager, GPOD of Idaho.

Conclusion

By moving to a centralized, barcode driven marking solution, GPOD of Idaho strengthened the reliability and simplicity of its packaging operations. With Matthews Marking Systems, the company gained a flexible, easy to manage platform that supports accuracy, cleanliness, and confidence day in and day out.

About GPOD

GPOD of Idaho is the exclusive supplier of Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes. With more than fifty years of experience, GPOD of Idaho operates in a high-volume, quality-driven production environment where reliability and consistency are critical.

As packaging demands increased and operational expectations evolved, GPOD began evaluating ways to strengthen its marking and coding process. GPOD’s legacy system required boxes to remain in strict sequence throughout the production process. If a box was removed from the line or moved out of order, it could receive the wrong mark, creating risk for misidentified product. The old marking equipment also involved bulk ink systems, extensive tubing, and heat-based components, which added complexity, maintenance demands, and cleanup challenges.