Author:

In the world of food logistics, we are faced with a constant challenge: how can we transport sensitive foods such as fruit and vegetables safely, efficiently and, above all, sustainably? The answer to this question could lie in the innovation of folding crates with RFID labels, which, as reusable transport packaging, represent a direct alternative to conventional disposable cartons.

Sensitive foods require special attention during transportation. They are susceptible to damage, spoilage and loss of quality due to improper handling or inadequate protection during transportation. This is where folding crates with RFID labels come into play, offering a number of advantages, especially compared to single-use cartons.

1. sustainability: Disposable cartons are an essential part of conventional food logistics. However, the massive consumption of disposable packaging leads to considerable waste and environmental pollution. In contrast, collapsible crates are reusable containers made of robust material. They help to reduce the mountains of waste and reduce the ecological footprint.

2. protection and durability: Thanks to their solid construction, folding crates offer improved protection for sensitive food. Unlike disposable cartons, they are resistant to mechanical impact. This helps to maintain the quality and freshness of products during transport and minimize food waste.

3. efficiency through RFID labels: The integration of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) labels on folding crates enables precise and efficient tracking of food products throughout the logistics process. This technology provides real-time information on the location of products, storage conditions and enables improved inventory management. As a result, supply chains can be optimized and the risk of loss or theft minimized.

4. adaptability and versatility: Folding crates are available in different sizes and designs and can be adapted to the specific requirements of different food types. They are stackable, saving storage and transportation space, and can be easily cleaned and sanitized, ensuring food hygiene and safety.

The introduction of folding crates with RFID labels in food logistics is a significant step towards sustainability and efficiency. By reducing single-use packaging and implementing intelligent tracking systems, they help to reduce environmental impact, minimize food waste and improve the quality of the products delivered.

All in all, folding crates with RFID labels offer a forward-looking solution to the challenges of food logistics. Their many advantages make them an attractive choice for companies that value sustainability, efficiency and the protection of sensitive foodstuffs. It is time for these innovations to gain wider acceptance and further expand their contribution to protecting our environment and optimizing food logistics.

With the start of the new year, WBG Pooling is reorganizing its management team.
Oliver Reinke, who has been an integral part of the company for over 10 years, has been appointed as the new and third Managing Director.
Alongside Florian Runden and Felix Borgerding, he will focus primarily on the international sales team and contribute his experience to the further development of the company, which is part of the Runden Group.

When Oliver Reinke started at WBG Pooling in 2013, he began in purchasing and sales. Since then, the company has grown and the departments have been restructured and expanded. In a very short time, he was responsible for sales for the entire German-speaking region and then for the whole of Europe.

“We love to optimize and close product and logistics cycles with our activities. And this is also where things come full circle for me personally – being able to work as Managing Director in a place where I have felt connected to the people for years and also strongly identify with the vision and mission is a great privilege for me,” says Reinke.

The primary goal of his activities will be to expand and develop the international sales team in order to make food supply chains throughout Europe more sustainable and transparent.

WBG Pooling focuses on the direct replacement of disposable packaging with reusable transport packaging. In addition to this component, various logistics systems are offered that directly reduce CO2 emissions and also cut costs thanks to network effects.
Oliver Reinke has proven several times in recent years that he can identify with this business model.
Just last year, he visited the European Parliament in Brussels on behalf of WBG Pooling to offer practical insights into the conception phase of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation.
His commitment to the circular economy and future-oriented logistics processes therefore goes far beyond the company’s day-to-day sales activities.
With the appointment of Oliver Reinke as a further Managing Director, WBG Pooling is setting the course for steady, international & sustainable growth. The company is looking forward to further consolidating its position as a pooling specialist with him.

About WBG Pooling: From the Oldenburger Münsterland to the world: over 30 years of experience make the pooling company an established authority when it comes to optimizing supply chain processes in the food industry. WBG Pooling can serve all food categories with various reusable containers and load carriers via its Europe-wide logistics network, thus establishing circular economy processes from the field to the end consumer’s plate.
Special smart labels and tracking technologies also enable the company to make supply chains transparent and sustainable.

When 200 people across Europe work on greener supply chains every day, a lot happens in a year, even outside of the typical day-to-day business.
We would therefore like to take you on a short journey through our year 2023 and present some highlights!

Right at the beginning, two major trade fairs came our way, and for the first time as exhibitors!
We presented our products and logistics concepts in close succession at FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin and BIOFACH in Nuremberg.
In addition to the volume reduction of load carriers, tracking using digital labels and platforms was also an exciting topic that we were able to inspire many visitors with.
We were present at both trade fairs together with companies from our parent company, the Runden Group.
We were also able to make excellent use of both events for an exchange with business partners – for example for the prototype of the “Eco Kiste”.

To round off what was already an intensive month, part of the team also visited the European Parliament in Brussels and took the opportunity to speak to some MEPs. The discussions focused primarily on the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation.

A big announcement was then due at the beginning of March – again, something we hadn’t done before, apart from the trade fairs.
However, we didn’t make the reveal quite so easy.

This was followed shortly afterwards by the dissolution: This year, we published our first German-language podcast called “MEHRWEG HEROES”. The aim: to raise awareness of circular economy issues.
The first episode went online on April 01, 2023.

But we’re not quite done with March yet: Internorga also took place this month and, of course, our category managers were there to find out about the latest trends and innovations in the sector.

At the end of April, we were then guests in Hamburg – where the “Branchendialog Fleisch & Wurst” organized by GS1 Germany took place, where we were able to visit BLOCK HOUSE production and listen to exciting keynote speeches.

In May, we were back in the Hanseatic city for the “Hamburger Logistik Tage” – together with other companies from the Runden Group, LHM-Pooling, Rubetrans Logistics and ecobyte, we exhibited here.

In June, our category managers held another interesting presentation for all participants at another event – this time focusing primarily on the baked goods sector.

Things continued in July with the LZ Strategietag Nachhaltigkeit & Verpackung.

And the next congress with a presentation was already on the agenda: Our Country Manager DE/AT/CH and Category Manager Fruit & Vegetables were on site at the German Fruit & Vegetable Congress in Düsseldorf.

As a pan-European pooling service provider, we naturally also went beyond national borders: at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, our German and Spanish colleagues were able to gain valuable insights.

Then there was the Austrian Summit for Retail & Branded Goods…

And the RIGA COMM…

…until all our international colleagues finally came together at ANUGA in Cologne! We were also exhibiting here for the first time this year and explained the economic and ecological benefits of reusable transport packaging in food supply chains.

Shortly afterwards, we were able to announce our second German-language podcast format, which focuses primarily on developments in the retail sector, more specifically food retail: RETAIL GUIDE.
While MEHRWEG HEROES is published weekly, there is always a new episode once a month on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

In October, our partner ecobyte also held an innovative, multi-day workshop with our load carriers. The main focus here was on the exchange of sensor data, low energy Bluetooth technology and full transparency within supply chains. This makes our reusable transport packaging smart and adds an important element to the already circular economy processes.

In November, we also had the pleasure of welcoming the Central Agency Packaging Register and taking the opportunity to discuss legal requirements.

In the same month, we went to the German Meat Congress in Mainz – where our Meat Category Managers Sofie Holt and Heinrich Kreymborg were also able to give a presentation on the opportunities of digital elements in supply chains with reusable transport packaging. Incidentally, we were able to exhibit here for the first time with a fresh logo.

Of course, our Spanish colleagues were also present at EMPACK.

We were able to experience the crowning glory of the year in the hectic pre-Christmas peak of the season – the handover of the converted car for Jonah in cooperation with Aktion Kinderträume e.V..
Instead of expensive customer gifts, we were able to put the money to good use and make everyday life much easier for one person.
The cooperation with the association of the German meat industry has existed for several years and is always something very special for us.

We can therefore look back on a thoroughly eventful year with many first-time experiences, great moments and fantastic development in many departments.

Follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and all podcast platforms to stay up to date!