Four of the world's leading companies in the development, implementation and utilization of supply chain automation technology – Intermec Technologies, the METRO Group, Procter & Gamble, and DHL – are jointly demonstrating RFID use in the retail supply chain in booth #1443 at the National Retail Federation's 95th annual NRF show, New York, Jan. 15-18, 2006.
A series of on-stand demonstrations, centered on the METRO Group's use of RFID in its supply chain, brings together four RFID pioneers, each of which has played a leading role in applying RFID technology in real-world applications. Booth visitors are able to see EPCglobal Gen 2-standard RFID technology at work in scenarios that recreate key stages in the retail supply chain from factory to consumer. Representatives from each of the companies are on hand to share their knowledge and experience in successfully applying RFID to improve supply chain visibility and efficiency.
Featured are fork-lift, portal and handheld systems that include a range of Intermec EPCglobal Gen 2-compliant RFID devices, including the Intermec IF5 intelligent reader, IP4 handheld reader, IV7 fork-lift reader and RFID-enabled PM4i label printer.
"This demonstration represents a milestone in the application of Gen 2 RFID technology in real-world scenarios," said Intermec President Steve Winter. "It shows how RFID will help to transform supply chains and proves that properly designed products are already being deployed to meet EPC Gen 2 standards."
"Verifying the business advantages of RFID has vividly illustrated how retailers can increase system-wide efficiency and inventory accuracy while at the same time increasing profits," said Dr. Gerd Wolfram, managing director of MGI METRO Group Information Technology GmbH.
"RFID has the potential to play an important role in improving value-chain efficiency," said Wolfgang Menzel, IT manager, Global Customer Business Development Team, Procter & Gamble. "We are working with retailers around the world to ensure we take advantage of this technology to benefit consumers."
"RFID offers an exciting potential for global logistics and requires truly global, workable standards," said Claus Garbisch, sector head, Consumer Products, DHL Solutions. "DHL is working very closely with vendors like Intermec to develop solutions for branded goods and industry and ensure that global logistics can realize the benefits of RFID technology."
About Intermec
Intermec Inc. (NYSE:IN) is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag® RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service. www.intermec.com
About METRO Group
METRO Group is one of the most important international retail companies. In 2004 the group achieved sales of € 56.4 billion. The company has a headcount of more than 250,000 employees and does business at over 2,400 locations in 30 countries. The strength of the METRO Group is based on its sales divisions, which operate independently in their respective markets: Metro Cash & Carry (the worldwide market leader in Cash & Carry wholesale), Real SB hypermarkets and Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn (European market leaders in consumer electronics) and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.
More information at www.metrogroup.de and www.future-store.org .
About Procter & Gamble
(NYSE:PG) Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Down®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella, Gillette®, and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About DHL
Deutsche Post World Net is the world's leading logistics group. Its integrated Deutsche Post, DHL and Postbank companies offer tailored, customer-focused solutions for the management and transport of goods, information and payments through a global network combined with local expertise. Deutsche Post World Net is also the leading provider of Dialog Marketing services, with a unique portfolio of efficient outsourcing and system solutions for the mail business. Some 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide generated revenue of $58 billion in 2004.
