FloraHolland invest with RFID in efficiency
FloraHolland, October 19th 2009 (press release) – FloraHolland puts an extra RFID-tag on its 270.000 trolleys (“stapelwagens”). The decision to use an UHF EPC Gen2 RFID tag enables the use by all supply chain partners. This increases the potential to build more efficient logistics processes, and further contributes to the reduction of the supply chain cost of the flower industry.

Foto: Director Concern Logistics Rens Buchwald and Sander Merkx, partner of Mieloo & Alexander sign the contract for the project to implement the UHF tags at FloraHolland Trolley identification

FloraHolland uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in its internal logistics processes since 1999. RFID is an automatic identification technology based on radio waves. Because of the limited read range of the currently used Low Frequency (LF) tags, and the new technical possibilities that the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags offer, this type of tag is now also being applied to the trolleys. Depending on the circumstances, UHF tags can be read at more than 10 meters. This makes it possible to automatically identify trolleys at greater distances.

EPC Gen2 standard enables more supply chain applications
Based on years of research and several pilots, FloraHolland decided to invest in the UHF tags based on the international EPC Gen2 standard. This provides FloraHolland and its supply chain partners with the standard for Tracking & Tracing. Potential new applications for the flower industry are for example automated checks of in- and outbound movements of trolleys or inventory counts. Also the trolley supplied by Container Centralen, also used a lot in the flower industry, will be tagged with an UHF EPC Gen2 tag in 2010.

Subproject of the “One Trolley” Project
Following the merger in 2008, FloraHolland modifies its entire pool of 270.000 trolleys into one uniform trolley. This project starts in 2010 and will last until 2012. By introducing the UHF tag as part of this project, an extra improvement can be realised at relatively low cost. When this project is completed all trolleys will have been fitted with new RFID-tag. The numbering and coding of the RFID-tag will be the same as the barcodes and LF-tags currently on the trolley.

Mieloo & Alexander selected as RFID integrator
FloraHolland has assigned Mieloo & Alexander RFID Integrators for the implementation of the UHF-tag. Mieloo & Alexander has supported FloraHolland since 2007 in determining the potential applications of the UHF technology. After a thorough selection process, tags from supplier Omni-Id have been selected.

Mieloo & Alexander RFID Enabled Trailer Solution (.wmv)

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