IFCO Systems Adds Track and Trace Technology to Its Reusable Plastic Containers
TAMPA, FL - An innovative new announcement has come from IFCO Systems as the company has revealed a long-term initiative to add track and trace technology to its IFCO Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs). The project will act as the initial step in launching “IFCO Smart RPCs,” containers designed to bolster grower and retailer efficiencies across the fresh food supply chain.
“IFCO is committed to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation that will benefit our customers and the supply chain. The addition of this new technology is the next logical step in the evolution of IFCO RPCs,” said Candice Herndon, President of IFCO North America. “To obtain the best possible results, we have decided to partner with Real Time Intel, a proven leader in real time intelligence technology. IFCO, along with our grower and retail customers, will undoubtedly benefit from real time visibility and intelligence that can drive efficiency and sustainability benefits across the entire fresh food supply chain.”
For this new project, IFCO will be partnering with Real Time Intel (RTI) to implement its embedded RFID technology and barcodes. According to a press release, the technology will be leveraged on IFCO RPCs across North America allowing IFCO easier tracking abilities on its RPCs and their contents.
The tracking technology will offer actionable data on the path of the containers and assets throughout the supply chain. This innovation will allow customers to move food more quickly and efficiently, while reducing food waste, increasing sustainability, and allowing for faster collection and processing between trips.
“We are excited to partner with IFCO to bring real time visibility throughout their supply chain,” said Dave Horvat, CEO of RTI. “The combination of IFCO’s packaging and supply chain expertise coupled with RTI’s technology, data collection, and predictive analysis tools will result in immediate realization of significant operational efficiencies that will bring benefits to both IFCO and its customers.”
Additionally, the tracking technology will be programmed to sync with IFCO’s SmartCycle™ washing and sanitation process at the IFCO service centers, which will provide another tool to guarantee each RPC meets international food safety and sanitation standards.
Having already started being placed on IFCO RPCs across North America in January 2021, the new technology had already begun reducing the time and resource that growers and retailers use to track their shipments. This is the first step in converting all IFCO RPC assets in North America to Smart RPCs over the coming months and years.
How will IFCO continue to optimize its supply chain solutions? Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest updates.
