Euro Plant Tray eG (EPT) has recently finalized agreements with two key service providers to enhance its operations:
Pool Operator partnership with HB RTS:
- Logistical Support: HB RTS will handle the logistical setup of EPT‘s new reusable plant tray pool. This includes managing hire volumes with EPT clients and offering optional services such as one-to-one exchanges of broken items, cleaning, and transport.
- Delivery and Expansion Plans: The first EPT trays will be delivered from production facilities starting in August 2024. Gradually, depots will be established across Europe, beginning with the main hubs of the green industry and expanding over the coming years.
Dirk Bansemer, Managing Director of Euro Plant Tray GmbH, commented, “We are delighted to partner with HB RTS. Their extensive European network and experience managing various reusable transport items (RTIs) in the retail sector will ensure efficient handling of our contract stock. They will also support EPT users in improving or outsourcing parts of their RTI management, offering new opportunities for efficiency and streamlined processes.”
Eric Schrover, CEO of HB RTS adds: “We are proud to become EPT‘s new pool operator. It‘s a next step in increasing the use of reusable transport packaging within industry and retail across Europe, which aligns perfectly with our mission. As RTI experts, we play a crucial role in promoting the circular economy. By combining our expertise with advanced systems, we are the ideal partner to manage a European pool effectively and sustainably.”
Technology partnership with inotec Label Excellence:
- Advanced RFID Solutions: EPT clients‘ handouts will be registered via RFID scanning based on serial numbers, an even more efficient process compared to scanning 2D Datamatrix Codes. RFID solutions offer enhanced item management over traditional barcodes or simple quantity registration.
- Durable RFID Tags: inotec has developed an RFID label specifically for EPT that withstands high temperatures during the inmould production process and performs reliably under the harsh conditions of the green industry. This development considered existing RFID solutions like those on CC Containers and within retail environments, ensuring compatibility with users‘ existing RFID scanning equipment.
Stefan Meyer from inotec stated: “RFID solutions for RTI identification are at the heart of an efficient reusable system. Thanks to the unique identification with barcode and RFID labels, you can always keep track of the location, contents, and condition of your EPT trays. This not only facilitates inventory but also optimizes replenishment and planning of your logistics processes in the EPT reusable cosmos.”
Collaborative Efforts: inotec and Winckel, in collaboration with the European EPC Competence Centre (EECC), will assist users aiming to enhance their RTI management through RFID scanning. Currently, two pilot projects are underway with EPT members to gain further insights within the green supply chain, serving as references for future users.
“Tracking RTIs based on GS1 standards give insights and benefits for all partners in the circular handling. All partners will profit from an open data exchange with own business cases from production, logistics to order fullfillment and sales” claims Conrad v. Bonin, CEO of the EECC. The independent EECC Innovationlabs offers advise for own business cases and solutions for Supply Chain tracking since 20years and is pioneer in Auto ID since 2004.
