Marco's dynamic working partnership with Cott Beverages has been further endorsed by the installation of a second TRAC-IT MES Recipe Formulation Module (TRAC-IT RFM) in the syrup rooms at their Pontefract site. This follows on from the successful implementation of a similar TRAC-IT MES system at Cott's Kegworth plant at the end of 2006.

Cott's Factory Manager at Pontefract, Steve Ellis, is clear about the benefits of the Marco System and as he explains: "The Marco system is an optimised blend of operator-friendly hardware and comprehensive software. Each of the DataMaster workstations incorporates three separate bulk, fine and milligram scales, ensuring that ingredients with widely varying target weights can be weighed with the same proportional accuracy at the same workstation. Our previous systems used basic weighing scales with control procedures relying on time consuming paperwork systems. This placed significant onus on the operator to ensure correct batch makeup. TRAC-IT RFM now 'manages' the syrup make-up process providing an important safety net for operators. A critical feature is its ability to communicate directly with our BPCS (Business Planning and Control System) ERP/MRP system, which is utilised throughout Cott Beverages. Orders are downloaded from BPCS to the syrup room PC and then scheduled to the DataMaster workstations. Real time factory floor data from the Marco equipment is constantly made available to BPCS, allowing the actual weights to be integrated into the system."