Manufacturing asset management means keeping equipment, tools, and materials visible, tracked, and ready to work. Labels—when done right—make that a whole lot easier.
From reducing unplanned downtime to improving maintenance workflows, labeling is one of the simplest ways to bring order to complex operations.
Why Labeling Matters in Manufacturing
Every piece of equipment that moves, runs, or wears down needs to be accounted for. Labels help teams identify what’s what, how to care for it, and where it’s supposed to be.
Whether it’s a CNC machine, hand tool, or forklift battery, a clear label connects it to the data that keeps it in service. This includes:
- Maintenance history
- Location tracking
- Warranty and inspection info
- Safety or handling instructions
With the right label setup, this info becomes accessible—on the floor, during audits, or in the middle of a shift.
What Labeling Solves in Real Workflows
Let’s say a facility has hundreds of assets spread across multiple departments. Some are serviced monthly, others annually. Technicians walk around guessing what’s due—or worse, skip checks.
Adding readable, scannable labels linked to asset IDs shortens that guesswork. A maintenance team at a fabrication shop in Indiana saw a 30% decrease in inspection time after switching to barcode-labeled tracking with polyester labels that held up to oil and heat.
Another example:
A consumer goods plant faced losses from misplaced tools. They implemented serialized labels on all hand tools and reduced shrinkage by 40% in under six months.
Labeling That Works: Tips from the Floor
- Use the right material: For equipment near chemicals or heat, polyester or anodized aluminum holds up where paper fails.
- Keep it consistent: Labels should follow the same format. If your barcode is top-right on one asset and bottom-left on another, users lose time.
- Think ahead: Plan for wear. Laminated labels resist abrasion and cleaning solvents better than basic vinyl.
- Make it scannable: Use barcodes or QR codes if you’re running tracking software. Printed codes must remain legible—don’t cheap out on thermal paper.
- Audit what’s missing: Walk the floor. Any unlabeled asset is a future headache—get them tagged now, not when it breaks.
What to Label (and Why It Matters)
| Asset Type | Why It Needs a Label |
|---|---|
| Machines & Tools | Track maintenance, prevent downtime |
| Shelving & Bins | Improve inventory and picking accuracy |
| Fixtures & Molds | Maintain location records and usage logs |
| Power Units | Support safety checks and service cycles |
| Mobile Equipment | Help identify status across departments |
This isn’t about organizing for looks—it’s about saving time, avoiding mistakes, and giving your people the info they need without having to guess.
Where Labeling Fits Into Your Asset Management Game Plan
If you’re looking to build out your labeling system, our manufacturing labels are designed to stand up to tough use, messy environments, and constant handling. We’ve helped teams label entire facilities without slowing down production—and keep labels readable shift after shift.
FAQ: Manufacturing Asset Management & Labeling
It’s the process of tracking and maintaining physical equipment and tools in a facility to keep production efficient and reduce costly downtime.
Labels help workers identify equipment, access service data, and avoid errors. They’re a quick connection between a physical item and the records that keep it running.
Common materials include polyester, vinyl, and anodized aluminum—each suited to different conditions like heat, moisture, or abrasion.
Yes. Labels with barcodes or QR codes are commonly scanned into asset tracking or inventory systems for faster record-keeping.
Put them where they’re easy to read, but protected from excessive wear. Avoid spots where they’ll be rubbed off, covered, or exposed to direct heat.
Replace it. Faded or damaged labels lead to confusion, tracking gaps, and sometimes compliance issues during audits.
