The consequences of a lack of digitisation of logistics processes quickly become apparent in many companies: a great deal of time is lost due to manual scanning and booking of goods, high error rates and, ultimately, inefficient processes.

Leiner GmbH also faced this challenge. The medium-sized company from Bavaria has been producing high-quality awnings and shading systems for the German and international market since 1975. Here too, the employees in the shipping department were occupied for a long time with the preparation for the delivery of the products. Instead of their main task – packing the awnings – they spent a lot of time scanning and checking the goods for completeness. They could also not reliably check whether each box had been scanned by hand.

Solution: Automated data capture with RFID gate

Leiner GmbH therefore decided to install an RFID system from L-mobile with stationary RFID readers from KATHREIN Solutions. This automated the workflows in the outgoing goods area, making them reliable and saving time. When the awnings now arrive in the packaging area, the respective order is selected on the basis of the production papers generated with the hand scanner. The shipping labels with RFID chips for this order are then printed directly at the workstation and attached to the packages.

As soon as the shipping company comes to pick up the goods, they are simply pushed through the RFID gate. Bulk reading of the RFID labels means that it is no longer necessary to scan the goods individually. During the RFID loading process, the data is automatically recorded in a database table so that the current location of the goods can be traced at any time.

Huge time and cost savings

One of the biggest advantages of the RFID system is the significant time savings. While it used to take up to 40 minutes to scan the individual packages, employees can now complete this step in a maximum of two minutes using the RFID gate. Since the seasonal business, especially during the peak season, involves a high volume of packaging and shipping, the RFID solution is particularly helpful because search times are reduced, employees can perform their actual tasks and the error rate is reduced. Another advantage is that there is now 100% certainty that every box has been scanned and that the delivery is fully recorded in the ERP system.

The response of Leiner GmbH employees to the RFID gate was positive all round. Thanks to the simple and user-friendly operation, they quickly got to grips with the new software solution from L-mobile. And thanks to the RFID readers from KATHREIN Solutions, both time and costs are saved. ‘I would definitely recommend an RFID-supported outgoing goods process. It helps to avoid a lot of errors, saves time and, of course, costs thanks to the time saved,’ says Florian Lahoda, IT manager at Leiner GmbH.

In addition to use in outgoing goods, RFID technology is suitable for many other applications: automated object detection also ensures a transparent material flow in incoming goods, in the warehouse and in production. Solutions such as pick-by-light, e-kanban or electronic labels enable seamless tracking of materials, orders or goods.

The KATHREIN RRU 4500 readers were mounted directly above the loading door, and the SMSH antennas were mounted on the side of the doors to detect the tagged packages. (Images © L-mobile

INDUSTRY: Logistics

About Leiner GmbH

• Production of awnings / shading systems
• 150 employees
• Specialised logistics and transport system

Key benefits

• Automated recording of tagged packages in outgoing goods
• Bulk reading at the RFID gate replaces hand-held scanners
• Direct data transfer to the ERP system
• No more time-consuming searches
• Cost savings