With a heritage spanning nearly 60 years and production exceeding 4 million eggs per week, Bird Brothers is known for its strong values around animal welfare, sustainability, and product quality. As part of its Vision 2028 strategy—a commitment to eliminating colony cage egg production by 2028.

The company continues to invest in innovative technology to enhance efficiency and maintain its high standards. Challenge:

Replacing an Obsolete Top-Labelling System. The need for transformation arose when Bird Brothers began facing operational issues with an outdated top-labelling machine. The existing equipment had become unreliable, prone to breakdowns, and increasingly costly to maintain, with spare parts no longer available. Packaging demands were evolving too; retailers required clearer label visibility on shelves, and customers expected precise product information and consistency across packaging formats. Bird Brothers also needed the flexibility to label multiple pack sizes and egg types at the same time,  a crucial requirement for a fast-moving production environment. Matthew Bird, Commercial Director, highlighted the urgency:

“Our previous machine was causing operational headaches, and parts had become obsolete. We needed a reliable machine… we often pack different sized packs and eggs at the same time. We needed the ability to continue with this.”

The key requirements included improved speed, reduced manual interventions, enhanced training capability for staff, and better presentation on supermarket shelves.

Solution:

Bizerba’s GLM-Ievo 120 C-Wrap Labelling System. After exploring several options, Bird Brothers selected Bizerba’s GLM-Ievo 120 C-Wrap labeller, complemented by the GT-12C price labeller. The decision was driven by Bizerba’s reputation for robust engineering, high-speed capability, and the marketing value offered by C-wrap labels.

Capable of applying up to 100 labels per minute, the GLM-Ievo 120 provided the speed and operational flexibility Bird Brothers required. Transitioning from top-labelling to C-wrap labelling created new opportunities for brand impact. C-wrap labels provide increased visibility, especially for stacked products, ensuring that key product information is always accessible to the consumer. Implementation was seamless, supported by multiple pre-installation site visits, demonstrations at Bizerba’s Milton Keynes headquarters, and professional training for operators. Matthew Bird described the experience as a true collaboration:

“We had a good experience from start to finish—it felt like a partnership.”

Advantages:

Reliability, Efficiency, and Market Differentiation. The GLM-Ievo 120 has now been in operation for over a year, and Bird Brothers reports significant improvements in reliability, efficiency, and presentation. Downtime has been reduced, employee training is more streamlined, and operational flow has improved. The flexibility to process three different box types in random order has been especially valuable. Automation has also allowed two employees to be redeployed to higher-value tasks. Additional benefits include Bizerba’s fully integrated ecosystem. Labels are manufactured at Bizerba’s Milton Keynes facility, FSC® certified and AA+ BRCGS accredited, ensuring fast turnaround times and high sustainability standards. With around 2.5 million labels supplied annually, the partnership offers long-term value far beyond hardware alone. 

Conclusion:

Bird Brothers’ investment in Bizerba’s GLM-Ievo 120 C-Wrap solution has delivered a modern, reliable, and future-ready labelling system that supports both operational efficiency and brand presentation. The collaboration demonstrates how innovative technology and strong supplier partnerships can significantly enhance productivity in today’s competitive food production market.

https://www.bizerba.com/gb/en/experience/bird-brothers-optimises-packaging-efficiency-with-c-wrap-labelling