CoreRFID helps boost Lowe global operations

Skelmersdale-based CoreRFID has supplied technology to Lowe Rental which has helped the catering supplies firm develop its worldwide service.

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.

Now it has saved weeks of staff time and achieved an almost 100% accuracy rate since installing an RFID-based system at its headquarters in Northern Ireland and its operations in England, Scotland and Germany

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.

Using technology provided by CoreRFID, the codes have been replaced by RFID tags, which are detected automatically by RFID readers at the exits and the information downloaded to the database.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.

Ian Lowry, European operations director at Lowe's, said: "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, said: "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."