Stephan Willigens

Stephan Willigens of SLR Technology which creates asset management along the supply chain and has pioneered RFID track and trace in logistics said, ,It was an excellent event to participate in and I made new contacts for our business and with potential investors whom I will continue to talk to.'

Stephan Willigens, S.L.R.'s managing director, says one of the system's biggest advantages lies in the economics of the pallet business.An underappreciated necessity in the shipping and warehouse business, pallets are a serious business, he says.They enable warehouses to stack goods from floor to ceiling, and to facilitate the loading and unloading of products.But the typical wooden pallet can be used only 10 times before it must be replaced-at a cost of between $11 and $15 apiece in Europe.A major retailer's supply chain might include 100 million pallets, all purchased or rented from a pallet supplier."The customer pays a flat rate, full stop," Willigens says.

By installing RFID chips, Smartflow makes a different approach possible.Instead of buying or leasing wooden pallets from a supplier, Smartflow's customers will essentially rent RFID-equipped plastic pallets.Because each pallet can be tracked from the time it enters a customer's warehouse until the time it leaves, Smartflow can track how long that pallet remains in a customer's possession-and bill that company accordingly."That way, they only pay for the pallet when they use it," Willigens says.

With a trackable pallet pool, Willigens explains, everyone along the supply chain saves.

Stephan Willigens, S.L.R.'s managing director, says one of the system's biggest advantages lies in the economics of the pallet business.An underappreciated necessity in the shipping and warehouse business, pallets are a serious business, he says.They enable warehouses to stack goods from floor to ceiling, and to facilitate the loading and unloading of products.But the typical wooden pallet can be used only 10 times before it must be replacedâ€"at a cost of between $11 and $15 apiece in Europe.A major retailer's supply chain might include 100 million pallets, all purchased or rented from a pallet supplier."The customer pays a flat rate, full stop," Willigens says.

By installing RFID chips, Smartflow makes a different approach possible.Instead of buying or leasing wooden pallets from a supplier, Smartflow's customers will essentially rent RFID-equipped plastic pallets.Because each pallet can be tracked from the time it enters a customer's warehouse until the time it leaves, Smartflow can track how long that pallet remains in a customer's possessionâ€"and bill that company accordingly."That way, they only pay for the pallet when they use it," Willigens says.

With a trackable pallet pool, Willigens explains, everyone along the supply chain saves.

Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions, says: "The benefits include a head count at distribution centres - this will increase efficiency of turnaround, prevent theft, aid just-in-time deliveries and avoid penalties for not delivering on time.
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Photo shows Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions.Photo shows Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions.

Stephan Willigens MD of S.L.R. Technology solutions said, "The Smartflow pallet is bundled with S.L.R.'S passive RFID track and trace software meaning that it is always traceable by both owner and user.

Stephan Willigens MD of S.L.R. Technology solutions said, "The Smartflow pallet is bundled with S.L.R.'s passive RFID track and trace software meaning that it is always traceable by both owner and user.

SLR Technology has many applications, Stephan Willigens Managing Director of SLR explained, "We are in talks with a pallet manufacturer where we can offer a pooling solution to their clients.

Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions, says: "The benefits include a head count at distribution centres - this will increase efficiency of turnaround, prevent theft, aid just-in-time deliveries and avoid penalties for not delivering on time.

Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions.
...
Stephan Willigens, managing partner of SLR Technology Solutions, says: "The benefits include a head count at distribution centres - this will increase efficiency of turnaround, prevent theft, aid just-in-time deliveries and avoid penalties for not delivering on time.