Sonoco takes RFID into the core
22 July, 2008
category: RFID
Sonoco, the world’s largest manufacturer of fiber-based tubes and cores used in packing paper products, has launched an RFID-enabled tracking solution for its customers.
In cooperation with IPICO, Sonoco created the Intellicore, a fiber core with embedded RFID tags to enable customers to automatically identify, track and locate paper rolls at any point in the supply chain.
The Intellicore’s RFID tags are designed to be readable through any size paper roll, and can be programmed with information such, as the grade of paper the roll is carrying. The new solution should provide real time tracking in an industry where inventory identification has often been an issue, both for paper producers and their clients.
“The system gives the site real-time, foolproof data that enables us to determine exactly which reel has been used for each customer product,” says Mike Ramsay, managing director, Mondi March Corrugated Packaging. “This, for the first time, gives us full traceability so that we can guarantee to a customer that the correct type and source of paper has been used. The technology is so simple to use, [delivering] accurate data reporting at less cost via savings in labor, waste, stock levels, and stock-outs.”