At the top of the agenda were the METRO Group’s plans for its use of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Zygmunt Mierdorf, a member of the Management Board of the METRO Group, emphasized that in 2007 the company will make a decisive move forward in applying the innovative wireless technology and that suppliers are expected to participate in the effort. All Metro Cash & Carry wholesale stores in Germany and more than 100 Real hypermarkets are to be equipped with the new technology this year. Silvester Macho, Managing Director of MGBI METRO Group Buying International, and Dr. Gerd Wolfram, Managing Director of MGI METRO Group Information Technology, explained what shape cooperation with the consumer goods industry will take and reported on their positive experiences with the technology.

After the presentations, the 40 or so participants were given a demonstration of the great potential of the second-generation RFID chips. These practical examples showed that RFID performance has improved significantly and yields excellent read rates, also with liquid products, for instance. The objective is to further enhance commercial supply processes and to reduce costs. In November 2004, the METRO Group began introducing RFID along the supply chain. At present the technology is used to track palettes and, in a test phase, cases.

Metro Link News more