IF you can't stand the heat, get out of the labelling business.

A North Yorkshire label specialist has come up with an amazingly tough label for Drger Safety UK's fire-fighting equipment.

Thirsk-based GSM Graphic Arts has teamed up with other members of the GSM Group to provide an unusual labelling solution for Drger's breathing apparatus and gas detection systems at its plant in Blyth, Northumberland.

As these products are supplied to fire services all over the world, they need to pass a raft of safety tests.

Safety laws specify that all fire apparatus must be labelled with a unique serial number and emblems that certify it has passed the required safety tests. This ensures the apparatus has full traceability.

Drger Safety UK approached GSM Graphic Arts as it was experiencing problems sourcing labels that would withstand the stringent testing process.

Labels have to be readable after withstanding 12 seconds of direct contact with a flame, being submerged in chemicals and being subjected to very low temperatures.

GSM Graphic Arts consulted with its sister companies. Working with GSM Primographic, it determined the correct material combination to withstand the heat, and GSM Printer and Label Systems sourced the thermal transfer printers.

Previously, labelling was outsourced and turn-around times were slow. The new solution means that Drger Safety UK can produce the labels in-house on an electronic, fully networked system. It has saved the company more than £30,000.

Ian Spoor, Drger Safety UK's purchasing controller, said: "GSM has worked very closely with us to understand the specifications of our problem and provide us with a solution that has saved us both time and money.

"The new labelling system allows us to supply our fire safety products to fire services across Europe and America and we are approaching the group to assist us with other labelling needs."

GSM Graphic Arts employs 65 people manufacturing anything from a one-off product to a run of 10,000.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, May 06, 2004