TNT The First Integrator to use RFID on a Global Scale

Dec 16, 2005

TNT Express - the world's leading business to business express delivery company - today announced the second phase of its Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) programme, becoming the only integrator to use RFID to track shipments on a global scale.

Following the successful trials of phase one and with ongoing system upgrades, the RFID equipment is now ready to fully integrate with TNT's existing systems. RFID readers are able to supply more tracking information than barcode scanners and since they can operate remotely and without human intervention, they allow greater control over shipments. Furthermore, readers are positioned at crucial points in TNT's transit locations to monitor movements, thus enabling tighter security and process control.

For the second phase of the programme, TNT has collaborated with one of the world's largest manufacturers of medical diagnostic products and will design and deliver an RFID solution to monitor the temperature integrity of life-critical chemical re-agents. They will be transported from the TNT-managed Regional Distribution Centre in Singapore to two strategic distribution points; one in Bangkok using TNT's newly launched Asia Road Network and the other in Shanghai, via air.

Onno Boots, Director, Global Account Management, TNT Express, said: "TNT has had to respond to the changing requirements in the Life Science and High Tech markets. Combined with the increase in supply chain complexity, this creates the demand for a system which offers more accurate and reliable tracking of shipments. By adopting more sophisticated RFID technology, TNT has been able to satisfy this demand and further enhance its position as an innovative leader in these markets."

With the rate at which RFID is advancing, TNT has also been able to fully equip a supply chain for one of its Global Customers - one of the largest computer manufacturers in the market - from China, end-to end, to German Customers.

Sybren Tuinstra, TNT Express' Project Leader for RFID, said: "Combined effort has resulted in the first RFID enabled global traffic lane. It provides the project partners involved with a platform for further intensified RFID development in a High-Tech, high volume Supply Chain environment and continues to generate a wealth of knowledge to further improve the effectiveness of their logistics."