IFCO, the biggest global operator of reusable plastic containers for fresh food packaging, has begun a long-term initiative to add track and trace technology to its RPCs.
The project, announced in March, is a first step in creating “IFCO smart RPCs” designed to unlock additional grower and retailer efficiencies in the fresh food supply chain while also reducing food waste and enabling additional sustainability savings, according to a news release.
“IFCO is committed to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation that will benefit our customers and the supply chain,” Candice Herndon, president of IFCO North America, said in the release. “The addition of this new technology is the next logical step in the evolution of IFCO RPCs.”
IFCO has partnered with Real Time Intel, a provider of real time intelligence technology, according to the release.
Under the agreement, IFCO and Real Time Intel (RTI) will leverage the embedded RFID technology and barcodes on IFCO RPCs across North America that will allow IFCO to track RPCs and their contents more easily, according to the release.
The tracking technology, according to the release, will provide actionable data on the path of the assets within the supply chain, empowering customers to move food more quickly and efficiently, reduce food waste, increase sustainability and allow quicker collection and processing of each RPC between trips. In addition, the tracking technology is programmed to sync with IFCO’s SmartCycle washing and sanitation process at IFCO service centers, providing another tool to ensure each RPC meets international sanitation and food safety standards, according to the company.
“We are excited to partner with IFCO to bring real-time visibility throughout their supply chain,” Dave Horvat, CEO of RTI, said in the release.
“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.”
The digital technology started to be placed on IFCO RPCs across North America in January, according to the release.
The announcement is the first step in converting all IFCO RPC assets in North America into IFCO smart RPCs in the coming months and years, according to the release.
