Precise top and bottom labelling with automatic height adjustment

01 October 2026 | HM Systems A/S

• Food Packaging
• Food Processing
• Hygienic and food safety

downloadFor editorial use only

When production must not stop
How do you ensure accurate labelling on both the top and bottom of the product when production is running at high speed and the line cannot be stopped?

This was the basis for a project in which HM Systems, together with our French distributor Sitter Food Systems, has supplied three complete top and bottom labelling systems to a major food manufacturer in France.

The solution has been developed for a production environment where precision, reliability and high uptime are crucial.

Top and bottom labelling for demanding food production
In the food industry, the label is more than just branding and product recognition. It carries important product information and supports traceability throughout the supply chain, whilst also forming part of the customer’s visual identity on the shelf.

Therefore, the labelling must be positioned correctly, consistently and clearly, even when production speeds are high.

For this project, HM Systems has supplied three top and bottom labelling systems based on HM120-160 labellers. Each line is tailored to the customer’s product flow and production layout.
The first line is equipped with one top and one bottom labeller. Lines two and three are configured with two top and two bottom labellers, enabling them to operate in non-stop mode.

This means that production can continue even when a label roll needs changing.

When the label roll runs out, production doesn't stop
In a busy food production environment, even brief stops can be felt and cost time, capacity and operational smoothness.

That is why the non-stop function is a key part of the solution.
On two of the three lines, the system is equipped with dual top and bottom dispensers. When one roll is empty, the system can automatically switch to the next dispenser, so labelling continues without unnecessary stoppages.

For operators, this means fewer interruptions. For production, it means higher uptime. And for the customer, it means a more stable line where labelling does not become the bottleneck.

“We know that stops on a food production line are costly. That’s why a good labelling solution isn’t just about applying the label correctly. It also needs to fit in with the pace of production and help keep the line running,” says Henrik Thomsen, Business Development Director at HM Systems.

Automatic height adjustment
A key part of the solution is the automatic height adjustment on the top machines.

All top machines are equipped with actuators that allow both manual height adjustment and the possibility to save four preset positions. This means that operators can quickly set up the production lines for new product heights when switching between different products.

In a production environment where the pace is fast and the lines need to be utilised efficiently, this type of function can make a clear difference in day-to-day operations. Changeovers are faster, settings are more consistent, and the risk of misalignment is reduced.

For the customer, this means a more flexible solution where top and bottom labelling not only ensures precise marking but also contributes to a more efficient production flow.


A strong partnership that makes a real difference to the end customer
The project was delivered in close collaboration with Sitter Food Systems, our local distributor in France.

Our strong partnership with the local distributor is crucial to ensuring the solution is well received by the customer. HM Systems contributes machine engineering, labelling technology and experience from the food industry, whilst Sitter Food Systems provides local customer contact, market knowledge and an understanding of the requirements of French food production.
This makes for a powerful combination.