A collaboration between Zebra Technologies and Ahearn & Soper Inc.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, every second counts. The difference between meeting a deadline and missing an opportunity often comes down to operational efficiency—and that includes how quickly you can print labels, barcodes, and shipping documents.
At Zebra Technologies and Ahearn & Soper Inc., we’ve witnessed firsthand how high-speed industrial printing solutions transform businesses from reactive to proactive, from bottlenecked to streamlined.
The Speed Factor: More Than Just Fast Printing
When we talk about print speed, we’re not just discussing pages per minute. We’re talking about:
· Order fulfillment velocity – Getting products out the door faster
· Inventory accuracy – Real-time labeling that keeps pace with receiving and stocking
· Customer satisfaction – Meeting tight delivery windows consistently
· Competitive advantage – Handling volume that competitors can’t match
Think about a distribution center during peak season. A high-speed industrial printer processing 200 labels per minute versus 50 labels per minute isn’t just four times faster—it’s the difference between shipping 5,000 orders by end of day or disappointing customers with delays.
Real-World Impact: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Our recent productivity analysis compared operations using standard desktop printers versus Zebra’s high-speed industrial printing solutions. The results were striking:
Time Savings:
· 75% reduction in label printing time for large batch jobs
· 3+ hours saved daily in high-volume warehouse operations
· 40% faster order processing from receipt to shipment
Productivity Gains:
· 200+ additional orders processed per shift
· Reduced overtime costs by 30%
· Freed staff to focus on value-added tasks instead of waiting on printers
Operational Excellence:
· 99.9% uptime with industrial-grade reliability
· Fewer printing errors due to consistent quality at high speeds
· Scalability to handle seasonal volume spikes without additional equipment
Customer Success: Voices from the Floor
Manufacturing Plant Manager, Automotive Parts: “Before upgrading to Zebra’s industrial printers through Ahearn & Soper, our labeling station was our biggest bottleneck. Workers would literally stand around waiting for labels. Now we print an entire shift’s worth of labels in the time it used to take for one production line. It completely changed our workflow.”
Warehouse Operations Director, E-commerce Fulfillment: “During the holiday rush, our old printers couldn’t keep up. We’d have three people managing printer jams and ribbon changes instead of packing orders. The Zebra printers are workhorses—they just run. We’ve cut our shipping time by 40% and our team actually looks forward to peak season now instead of dreading it.”
Logistics Coordinator, Healthcare Distribution: “In healthcare, speed and accuracy aren’t optional—they’re life and death. Our Zebra printing solution from Ahearn & Soper ensures we get critical supplies labeled and shipped correctly the first time, every time. The time we save translates directly to better patient care.”
The Technology Behind the Speed
What makes industrial printing solutions from Zebra Technologies so much faster than standard options?
Robust Engineering: Built for 24/7 operation with commercial-grade components that maintain speed without sacrificing quality.
Advanced Print Engines: Optimized thermal transfer technology that delivers crisp, compliant labels at impressive speeds.
Intelligent Design: Large media capacities mean fewer roll changes, while intuitive interfaces reduce setup time between jobs.
Seamless Integration: Direct connection to your WMS, ERP, or inventory systems eliminates data transfer delays.
Making Speed Work for Your Business
At Ahearn & Soper Inc., we don’t just sell Zebra printing solutions—we partner with you to design printing workflows that maximize efficiency. Our approach includes:
· Workflow Analysis: We identify your specific bottlenecks and design solutions that address them
· Right-Sizing Solutions: From desktop to industrial, we match printer capabilities to your actual needs
· Integration Support: Our team ensures your new printers communicate seamlessly with existing systems
· Ongoing Optimization: Regular check-ins and maintenance to keep your operation running at peak performance
Time Is Money—Invest in Both
The cost of slow printing isn’t just measured in minutes. It’s measured in:
· Lost sales opportunities
· Customer dissatisfaction
· Staff frustration and turnover
· Overtime expenses
· Competitive disadvantage
Upgrading to high-speed industrial printing isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in your operational capacity and competitive positioning.
Ready to Accelerate Your Operations?
If your current printing solution has your team waiting instead of working, it’s time for a change. The combination of Zebra Technologies’ industry-leading hardware and Ahearn & Soper’s implementation expertise creates printing solutions that match the speed of modern business.
Let’s talk about your printing challenges. Contact Ahearn & Soper Inc. today for a productivity assessment and discover how much time—and money—you could be saving.
Ahearn & Soper Inc. is a proud partner of Zebra Technologies, providing industrial printing solutions, barcode systems, and workflow optimization to businesses across Canada. With over 40 years of experience in supply chain technology, we help companies turn operational bottlenecks into competitive advantages.
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