Italian agri-food group Granterre has deployed an RFID solution in cooperation with Murata ID Solutions. The solution comprises of RFID labels, RFID gates and the id-Bridge 4.0 middleware from Murata ID Solutions.
By tagging shipment units with RFID, Granterre optimizes inbound and outbound flows, reduces loading and unloading times, and ensures full visibility throughout the entire food supply chain.
Granterre: A Leading Agri-Food Group
Granterre is a leading agri-food group that was founded as the result of the merger of the companies Grandi Salumifici Italiani and Parmareggio. The company specializes in cured meats and cheese, such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano. As one of the major players in the Italian food industry, Granterre has 17 production sites, a 30,000 sqm distribution center, and approximately 25,000 delivery points worldwide.
Everyday, thousands of products travel through the supply chain between production sites, distribution centers and final customers. With this extensive distribution network, the company requires a high level of efficiency.
An RFID-Enabled Food Supply Chain
In order to optimize the logistics processes and make the supply chain more transparent, the Italian food company opted to deploy an RFID tracking solution. The system was developed in cooperation with Murata ID Solutions. From the outset, the goal was to accurately track shipping units in real-time.
After preliminary analysis and an ROI evaluation, Granterre decided to apply RFID tags to all shipping units directly at its production sites. The system includes RFID gates that are installed at dock doors, and the id-Bridge 4.0 middleware that manages the RFID deployment. With the RFID solution, Granterre has achieved a better connected and more transparent and sustainable food supply chain.
Shipping accuracy has increased to 99.95 percent and mis-shipments have practically been eliminated.
Future Outlook
Granterre plans to expand the system to include new applications. As a next step, the Italian food company is considering the possibility to integrate the solution downstream with its customers. The goal is to further increase the visibility and efficiency of the supply chain.
Since the system which is currently deployed adopts the GS1 standards, the solution is already compatible in any environment. The RFID labels from Granterre can be recognized by the RFID solution of partners or customers. Another future expansion includes the application of the tag at box level for inventory management.
With the implementation of an RFID solution by Murata ID Solutions, Granterre has increased the visibility and traceability of its food supply chain.
The 100% Italian food products from Granterre are rich in tradition, care and passion.
Made-In-Italy Food Products
Granterre is a producer of cheese and cured meats and a major player in the Italian food industry.
Granterre
Founded in 2019 as the result of the merger of the two companies Parmareggio and Grandi Salumifici Italiani, on January 1st 2023, the company was rebranded as Granterre. The group is a leader in the production of cured meats and cheeses, made on Italian soil.
Granterre Brands
Granterre produces 140,000 tons of products annually. The company includes the brands Parmareggio, Casa Modena, Senfter, and Agriform, among others.
Each of these brands has its own specialties. Parmareggio is one of Italy’s main cheese producers. Casa Modena and Senfter specialize in the production of salami, hams, cured meat and dry sausages. Agriform produces cheese.
Production facilities
The Italian food company owns 17 production facilities. Before leaving the production sites, the shipping units are tagged with RFID labels, that contain information on the content and logistics history of the shipping unit.
RFID gates
RFID gates are installed on the dock doors of the production sites, and at Granterre’s 30,000 sqm distribution center in Bologna Interporto. Pallets delivered from the production facilities with RFID-tagged shipping units are automatically verified as they enter the distribution center.
Shipping Unit-Level Track & Trace
RFID labels are encoded, printed, and applied to individual shipping units.
RFID gates on the dock doors
Each of the 42 bays at the distribution center has RFID gates installed on the dock doors. During unloading, the shipping units arriving from the production facilities are verified as they pass through the gates and information is captured from the RFID labels. The products are then stored in designated areas.
In the distribution center
In the distribution center, products are picked and arranged according to a picking list. Individual boxes are placed on a pallet to form a shipping unit based on the order.
The RFID label
The RFID label associated with the picking list and related to a Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is printed and applied to each individual shipping unit. The label contains information on the number of boxes, type of product, product origins, etc.
Outbound shipping area
Shipping units are taken to the outbound shipping area, where they are loaded onto the truck passing through the RFID gates installed on the dock doors. Each pallet is thus automatically verified.
99.95 Percent Shipping Accuracy
During receiving and shipping, every single pallet is automatically verified.
Real-time information
As the shipping units pass through the dock door during loading/unloading, the RFID tag is automatically scanned and information about the unit load is real-time updated on the dashboard.
Alarm
If an error is detected by the RFID system (in case of wrong destination or load sequence), an alarm is sent directly to the field user interface or to the dashboard. This way, field operators and logistics managers are immediately informed and can quickly rectify the error.
No manual scans
The RFID labels are scanned automatically without line of sight. Thanks to the automatic reading of the shipping units at the dock doors, the amount of manual work required has therefore been reduced.
Loading and unloading times have also been reduced by 50 percent, now that manual scans are no longer necessary.
The RFID solution
The RFID solution also ensures that only correct shipping units are loaded onto trucks. Thanks to immediate error warnings, Granterre has increased shipping accuracy to 99.95 percent. The ordered shipping units are transported to the end customers, who also benefit with accurate tracking information of their shipments.
