Publix kicks off RFID pilot with three suppliers
Publix kicks off RFID pilot with three suppliers
Three produce suppliers began shipping radio frequency identification-tagged cases to Publix supermarkets in a pilot program that will test the web-based tracking system and involve nearly 300 stores across Florida.
"We're excited by the results so far," said Maria Brous, media and community relations director for Publix Super Markets Inc. We started reading RFID shipments in late January.
So far, Publix has read over 600 tagged cases of celery, cauliflower and pineapple, which are being shipped to nearly 300 stores, said Ms. Brous. Publix operates 875 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Three produce suppliers are participating in the pilot. Del Monte Fresh Produce is tracking shipments of pineapple from California to the Florida stores, A. Duda & Sons is tracking celery and Tanimura & Antle is tagging shipments of cauliflower.
Tagged produce shipments from California and Florida are being forwarded to a Publix distribution center in Lakeland, FL, where they are scanned by RFID portals. Were looking at the benefits of everybody being able to track shipments in real time, Ms. Brous said.
The participants in the pilot program, which is being managed by the University of Floridas Research Center for Food Distribution & Retailing, spent the first month working out the kinks. We found little snags and worked through them, Ms. Brous said.
Researchers are now collecting hard data this month. Ms. Brous said that Publix has yet to determine the length of time of the pilot.
Under the pilot, all participants can for the first time share real-time shipping information on the web, said Jeffrey Brecht, director of the center at the University of Floridas Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences.
This is going to revolutionize logistics as everyone will know where shipments are at all times, he said. Its surprising this hasnt been done before.
"We're excited by the results so far," said Maria Brous, media and community relations director for Publix Super Markets Inc. We started reading RFID shipments in late January.
So far, Publix has read over 600 tagged cases of celery, cauliflower and pineapple, which are being shipped to nearly 300 stores, said Ms. Brous. Publix operates 875 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Three produce suppliers are participating in the pilot. Del Monte Fresh Produce is tracking shipments of pineapple from California to the Florida stores, A. Duda & Sons is tracking celery and Tanimura & Antle is tagging shipments of cauliflower.
Tagged produce shipments from California and Florida are being forwarded to a Publix distribution center in Lakeland, FL, where they are scanned by RFID portals. Were looking at the benefits of everybody being able to track shipments in real time, Ms. Brous said.
The participants in the pilot program, which is being managed by the University of Floridas Research Center for Food Distribution & Retailing, spent the first month working out the kinks. We found little snags and worked through them, Ms. Brous said.
Researchers are now collecting hard data this month. Ms. Brous said that Publix has yet to determine the length of time of the pilot.
Under the pilot, all participants can for the first time share real-time shipping information on the web, said Jeffrey Brecht, director of the center at the University of Floridas Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences.
This is going to revolutionize logistics as everyone will know where shipments are at all times, he said. Its surprising this hasnt been done before.