2006-10-31 CHEP RFID crates give carmakers more flexibility

A world-first modular crate, with radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking, will deliver improvements in supply chain efficiency for the automotive sector, its makers CHEP says.

The crates are equipped with three-in-one tags (bar code, human readable and RFID read/write capability) allowing real-time tracking.

James Meares, Vice President of Automotive Services for CHEP Asia-Pacific, says the project delivers flexibility over packaging configurations to cut waste and maximise transport and storage efficiencies.

Australia will be the first market to use the product.

"Lean thinking and supply chain efficiency can give Australian automotive manufacturers an edge in an increasingly competitive global market," Meares says.

The crates are made from lightweight, injection-moulded plastic, with a ribbed design for strength and a strong base for secure cross-stacking.

Six inter-stackable crates provide efficient storage options for automotive parts consignments of all shapes and sizes, CHEP says.

It says stacking means components can be moved to the production line in sequence or in smaller batches to reduce in-plant logistics and line-side space costs.

The RFID tags capture real-time movements to track the exact location of individual crates, while barcode and human readable options are available for non-RFID environments.

The crates are supported by CHEP’s Automotive Logistics Management (CALM) system, which automatically calculates upcoming packaging needs.

"The upshot for customers is that they’re never short of packaging, and never pay for more than they need," says Meares.

"CHEP’s lean approach can mean savings for customers at most steps of the supply chain."