Press release
TNT the first integrator to use RIFD on a global scale
Amsterdam, 16 December 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."
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TNT Express is the world's leading business to business express delivery company. The company delivers 3.4 million parcels, documents and pieces of freight a week to over 200 countries using its network of nearly 900 depots, hubs and sortation centres. TNT Express operates over 19,000 road vehicles and 42 aircraft and has the biggest door-to-door air and road express delivery infrastructure in Europe.
TNT Express employs 45,000 staff worldwide and is the first ever organisation to achieve global recognition as an Investor in People. The company reported sales in 2004 of €4.7 billion. Profits of €96 million earned by TNT Express during Q3 2005 were higher by 37.1% than the same period in 2004 (€70 million). The TNT Express website is: www.tnt.com
TNT N.V. is a global provider of mail, express and logistics services. The group employs over 162,000 people in 63 countries and serves over 200 countries. For 2004 the company reported sales of €12.6 billion. TNT N.V. is publicly listed on the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, New York, London and Frankfurt. The TNT N.V. website is: http://group.tnt.com
TNT China is the Chinese branch of TNT Group. TNT China provides integrated business solutions through three main business sectors -- Mail services, Logistics and Express. These services cover direct marketing solutions, door-to-door delivery services and supply chain management. TNT currently employs over 4,500 skilled professionals across its distribution infrastructure of 140 operation facilities across 600 cities in China. TNT China has developed over 2,000 service stations and currently operates seven gateways in China which includes: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dalian, Hangzhou, Xiamen and Shenzhen.
By joining with Shanghai Automotive Logistics Co. to form Anji–TNT Automotive Logistics Co. Ltd., TNT China has become the largest third-party automotive logistics provider in China.
For more information, reporters may contact:
Melanie Li
Communications Manager
TNT China
Tel: 86 (21) 5352 4688 Ext. 6411
Fax: 86 (21) 6340 3657
melanie.li@tnt.com
Sabrina Fu
Hill & Knowlton (China) Public Relations Co,
Ltd.
Tel: 86 (21) 5109 7070
Fax: 86 (21) 5407 5700
sabrina.fu@hillandknowlton.com.cn