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Measure Twice. Count Once.
How a New Counting System Uncovered Mistakes Hiding in Plain Sight
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
The objective was to create a portable propane filling system capable of supporting a nationwide retail rollout.
To do that, Industrial Propane Services needed a weighing platform that could:
- Consistently achieve target fill weights
- Operate reliably in industrial retail environments
- Support portable deployment across locations
- Deliver the accuracy required for long-term success
The weighing system couldn't simply work.
It had to become a dependable part of a repeatable nationwide process.
THE CHALLENGE
For manufacturers, accuracy doesn't end when production is complete.
Every order still needs to be counted, verified, and shipped correctly.
This growing plastics manufacturer was looking for a better way to verify material counts throughout its shipping process. The team was relying on manual methods and did not have a dedicated counting scale system in place to validate quantities before products left the facility.
The challenge became more complicated because the company needed to count both small packages and large totes of material.
A single scale wasn't enough.
They needed a solution that could accurately handle both sample counting and bulk counting without slowing down operations.
WHAT'S AT RISK
When counts are wrong, margins take a hidden hit.
Customers may receive fewer parts than expected.
Inventory records become less reliable.
Shipping teams spend valuable time manually verifying quantities.
And in some cases, even supplier-provided labels may not reflect what's actually in the package.
For this manufacturer, the goal wasn't simply to count faster.
It was making sure customers received exactly what they paid for.
Because when you're shipping thousands of parts, confidence starts with knowing the numbers are right.
THE CECH APPROACH
Cech recommended a combined sample-and-bulk counting system built around the Mettler Toledo ICS465 counting scale.
The solution paired the counting scale with a framed floor scale connected directly to the same indicator.
This allowed operators to:
- Use the counting scale to establish accurate sample weights
- Store part information in the system
- Switch seamlessly between small-part counting and large bulk counts
- Verify quantities using a single integrated system
The result was one flexible solution capable of handling a wide range of materials and package sizes.
THE TRANSFORMATION & KEY INSIGHTS
From uncertainty in the counting process to confidence in every shipment.
Instead of relying on assumptions and manual verification, the company now has a system that quickly confirms quantities and helps catch mistakes before products leave the facility.
The biggest surprise wasn't how quickly the system counted.
It was how quickly it found problems hiding in plain sight.
Because when customers are paying for a specific quantity, confidence starts with knowing the numbers are right.
Small counting errors can create big problems.
Whether you're verifying inventory, counting parts, or improving shipping accuracy, Cech helps you implement solutions that deliver reliable numbers and greater confidence throughout your operation.
When it has to be right, Cech it!
Many suppliers would have simply delivered the equipment and moved on.
Cech focused on making sure the customer succeeded long after installation.
During implementation, the team trained operators on how to properly use the system, establish sample weights, and verify counts throughout the process.
That hands-on approach helped the customer fully understand the capabilities of the system and build confidence in the results.
More importantly, it helped uncover something unexpected.
THE RESULTS
During installation and training, the new counting system immediately revealed counting discrepancies that had previously gone unnoticed.
The team discovered examples of miscounting on site, including issues involving vendor-provided package label rolls.
What started as a project to improve efficiency quickly became a valuable quality-control tool.
The company now has a dedicated counting system capable of accurately verifying both small and large quantities while reducing the time required for manual counting.
What was once a process built on assumptions became a process built on verification.
- Reduced manual counting time
- Accurate verification of inbound and outbound quantities
- One integrated system for both sample and bulk counting
- Improved confidence in shipping accuracy
- Immediate identification of counting discrepancies
- Better quality control throughout the shipping process
- Long-term scalable counting solution
BEFORE & AFTER
A growing manufacturer relied on manual counting methods and lacked a dedicated system for verifying quantities before products were shipped.
A fully integrated counting system now provides fast, accurate verification of both small and bulk quantities, helping ensure customers receive exactly what they ordered.