The world’s leading supplier of rented fridges, freezers and catering equipment is extending its use of RFID tracking to its Far East and Gulf operations with the help of Skelmersdale-based CoreRFID
Lowe Rental has saved weeks of staff time and achieved an almost 100% accuracy rate since installing the system from CoreRFID two years ago at its headquarters in Northern Ireland and its operations in England, Scotland and Germany.
Lowe rents out over 20,000 items worldwide including fridges, freezers, catering equipment and temporary kitchens and supplies high-profile events from Royal Ascot to the Singapore Grand Prix, the world’s largest food and beverage exhibitions and some of the biggest retail stores worldwide.
Previously each item entering or leaving the warehouse was identified by a six-digit code, which had to be manually recorded by staff using a paper-based system. Now the codes have been replaced by RFID tags, which are detected automatically by RFID readers at the exits and the information downloaded to the database.
The new system enables instantaneous reporting and has virtually eradicated human error. Audits which took one week under the old manual system can now be completed in under half a day, using a mobile phone reader app which can monitor the tags from up to 2m away.
Lowe is now working with CoreRFID to extend the system to its warehouses in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and Dubai.
European Operations Director Ian Lowry commented: “CoreRFID’s system has transformed our operation. By automating the whole tracking process, it has allowed us to save time and achieve near perfect accuracy levels. The solution works well in tandem with our existing systems.
“With the innovation now fully tried and tested, it’s a natural progression to roll out the system to our Asian operations where I’m sure it will have the same massive positive impact it has had in Europe.”
Munzi Ali technical director of CoreRFID, added: “With over 20,000 items which are constantly on the move, Lowe’s operations rely on a fast and accurate tracking system. RFID technology fits the bill perfectly and offers huge potential to improve efficiency. The technology is also quick and easy to install and offers rapid return on investment.”
CoreRFID develops and supplies RFID solutions for IT asset management, equipment tracking, health and safety and production management purposes. Since forming in 2007, it has built a diverse global client base of over a 1,000 companies globally including London Underground, ICL and BAE Systems.
