DS-JUL23-PG29_Layout 1 27/07/2023 11:16 Page 1
SUSTAINABILITY IN MANUFACTURING
SUPPLEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
UV BARCODING FOR INVISIBLE TRACEABILITY
S
ustainability doesn’t have to come at a cost, in fact many companies are finding that their initiatives are saving them
money. Turck Banner has identified three broad areas where it can assist companies to save costs and become more sustainable: production efficiency, energy management and supply chain management. Here we will look at three different applications in the supply chain management category – Returnable Transport Items (RTI); streamlining product supply to assembly stations; and UV barcoding for invisible traceability.
RETURNABLE TRANSPORT ITEMS At one distribution centre, maintaining the control of Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) was extremely challenging as different suppliers use different RTIs. Once the RTI has been emptied it has to be stored before being returned to the supplier. The distribution centre has upgraded its inventory control by utilising Turck Banner’s RFID system, which can read hundreds of tags almost simultaneously as they pass through a gate. In addition to the products having an RFID tag, a tag was added to the RTI. As a result, the task of checking-in product
inventory is much faster and product traceability enhanced. The simple addition of tags to the RTI facilitated the emptied RTI to be identified and directed to the allocated storage area, based upon the type of RTI and the supplier. Damaged
Turck Banner’s RFID system can read hundreds of tags almost simultaneously as they pass through a gate
RTIs were also recorded by their tag, enabling the supplier to easily identify, repair or remove them. Although RTIs are designed to protect the product that they contain during transport, a damaged RTI can often damage the product. The distribution centre achieved its primary
objectives of greater efficiency and cost savings. Whilst using RTIs is, in the majority of cases, far more sustainable than using single use packaging, the centre was able to enhance its sustainability by greatly reducing product damage and waste from damaged RTIs.
STREAMLINING PRODUCT SUPPLY TO ASSEMBLY STATIONS While supply chain management is often thought of as only involving external companies, improvements can often be made in the movement of products around your own premises. Turck Banner was recently approached by a
prestigious motor manufacturer to supply a simple light and a switch. When asked about the application and business objectives driving the request, it became obvious that working in partnership could make huge improvements in the process of moving product from the main warehouse all the way to the assembly station. As a result of implementing the changes, the takt time (time to produce a finished product) was reduced, increasing production which, in turn, paid for the changes. The customer also reduced its internal transport and maintenance costs, thus improving its sustainability.
WHAT ARE RETURNABLE TRANSPORT ITEMS ARE WHAT ARE THEIR BENEFITS?
Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) are packaging or containers that are designed to be returned and reused multiple times, reducing waste, optimising efficiency and minimising environmental impact compared to traditional single-use packaging. They can come in various forms – including plastic crates, pallets, bins, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), etc. – and help streamline logistics operations, reduce packaging waste, and minimise costs associated with one-way packaging. Effective management and tracking systems are often implemented to monitor the movement and
location of RTIs throughout the supply chain, helping ensure efficient collection, cleaning, repair and redistribution. RTIs require a well-established reverse logistics process to facilitate their return from the destination back to the point of origin. In addition, their successful implementation often requires collaboration and partnerships between different stakeholders in the supply chain. By promoting reuse and reducing packaging waste, RTIs contribute to sustainability efforts.
JULY/AUGUST 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS - SUPPLEMENT 29
Even in industries where traceability is not a legal requirement, it is often becoming a business requirement in order to generate the data needed for improving processes and driving efficiency. Barcoding is often a cheap and reliable method of marking a product for tracking and traceability. The barcode can be made in a number of ways, ranging from Direct Product Marks (DPM) that are etched or stamped into the product, to adhesive labels. The majority of these barcodes are visible to the naked eye and consume space on the product. Ultraviolet ink is only visible when illuminated with a blacklight. By using a filter that blocks visible light but allows UV light to pass, it is possible to print a UV barcode on top of a product that already contains printing or decoration. This facilitates tracking and traceability with all the associated sustainability advantages, without spoiling the aesthetics of a product or requiring a larger product and packaging to accommodate the barcode. These are just three examples where careful
investment in the right products can have a significant impact on both short and long term savings while, at the same time, making the product or process more sustainable.
Turck Banner
T: 01268 578888
www.turckbanner.co.uk/en/
Printing a UV barcode on top of a product
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130
