The German foundry is deploying a combination of active and passive RFID technology so it can track the location and movement of forklifts and containers.
By Rhea WesselFeb. 9, 2009—Ortrander Eisenhütte, an iron foundry located near Dresden, Germany, is rolling out an RFID-based system to track forklifts and containers at its facilities. The system, when fully implemented, will employ ultra-wideband (UWB) active RFID tags for tracking 20 to 30 forklifts, as well as passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID for tracking 10,000 metal containers and their contents.
Ortrander—which reported sales of €23 million ($30 million) in 2008, for its fiscal year ending June 30—casts iron parts for the automotive and domestic appliance industries. In 2001 and 2002, the firm invested heavily to expand its production, and by 2008 it had doubled product turnover. In 2007, the company's management launched an enterprise initiative to update its material flow, storage and information processes so they'd be more transparent and efficient, and better equipped to handle its higher-production volumes.
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| Ortrander will attach RFID tags to 10,000 containers and the forklifts that move them around the foundry. |
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