Overview
Coöperatie Hoogstraten, one of Belgium's oldest fruit and vegetable auctions, prioritizes full traceability to ensure food safety but faced challenges tracking strawberries from over 200 growers. Previously, strawberries were packed in plastic punnets with non-unique lasered codes—one code covered 1,200 punnets per box or 30,000 per pallet—and growers scanned boxes with barcodes, a labor-intensive method that failed to capture individual trays. Transitioning to cardboard punnets for environmental reasons opened new branding opportunities but required a complete traceability system overhaul. To overcome these challenges, the company sought an advanced, automated solution to streamline logistics and eliminate errors.
Challenges
Need for Sustainable Packaging & Enhanced Traceability
Previously, strawberries were packed in plastic punnets with lasered codes, but these lacked uniqueness—one code applied to 1,200 punnets per box or 30,000 per pallet. In response to growing environmental concerns over plastic packaging, Coöperatie Hoogstraten switched to cardboard punnets, offering new branding opportunities but requiring a complete overhaul of the traceability system.
Time-Consuming, Labor-Intensive, Error Prone Process
Growers scanned boxes with barcodes to link them to specific farms, but this process was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. Additionally, individual trays were never scanned, creating gaps in traceability and limiting accuracy.
The Solution
Coöperatie Hoogstraten partnered with Catalyx and Aucxis to implement an automation system, combining vision technology with RFID tracking.
Catalyx: Vision Technology Expert
Catalyx was responsible for the vision technology component of the project. Their state-of-the-art vision tunnels capture and read QR codes on individual punnets and trays, even under varying lighting conditions and orientations. This high-speed scanning ensures comprehensive traceability at every stage of processing. The scanned data is then seamlessly transmitted to Aucxis' middleware, enabling integration with Coöperatie Hoogstraten's ERP system.
Aucxis: RFID Integration Partner
Aucxis played a critical role in integrating RFID technology, ensuring that pallets could be tracked accurately. Their ATLAS Forklift Track & Trace solution equipped all Coöperatie Hoogstraten forklifts with RFID readers and antennas, allowing automated scanning and processing of pallet data. The RFID labels link all trays on a pallet, ensuring efficient tracking during distribution. The processed data is managed through Aucxis' HERTZ middleware, providing real-time updates to the customer's system.
How It Works
1. Punnets & Trays Preparation
Cardboard punnets are machine-formed, placed into trays, and assigned a unique QR code containing grower-specific data.
2. Pallet Formation
Trays are stacked on pallets, and an operator ensures the correct grouping.
3. Vision Tunnel Scanning
As pallets pass through Catalyx's vision tunnels, cameras capture and decode all QR codes.
4. RFID Labeling:
Aucxis assigns an RFID label (pallet ID) to each pallet, linking it with the scanned tray data.
5. Automated Forklift Processing
Forklifts equipped with Aucxis' RFID system automatically scan and register pallet movements, streamlining distribution.
6. Data Integration
The combined QR and RFID data is processed in Aucxis' HERTZ middleware and integrated into the ERP system for complete traceability.
Outcomes:
100% Traceability
By combining Catalyx’s vision technology with Aucxis’ RFID tracking, Coöperatie Hoogstraten achieves 100% traceability of its 7 million trays and 56 million punnets transported annually.
Higher Processing Speed
Manual barcode scanning is eliminated. Forklift drivers now use RFID antennas to automatically scan and pick four pallets simultaneously, significantly increasing efficiency. Orders are assigned in just a few clicks.
Satisfied Employees
Automated scanning reduces human error, lowering stress levels among forklift operators and growers. This streamlined process enhances workplace satisfaction and efficiency.
Strengthens the Reputation
Detailed tracking of strawberry origins strengthens the reputation of the ‘Hoogstraten, Home of Quality’ brand, reinforcing its commitment to food safety and quality assurance.
Conclusion:
Thanks to the seamless collaboration between Catalyx’s advanced vision technology and Aucxis’ RFID expertise, Coöperatie Hoogstraten has successfully transformed its traceability system. This approach ensures full transparency, improves operational efficiency, and sets a new standard for traceability in the fresh produce industry.
Enhanced Traceability of Strawberries with Vision and RFID Technology
“This project is a significant step in optimizing our traceability process. Soon, QR codes on trays will also track full strawberry boxes, providing precise information on harvesting time and destination.”
Jeroen Swolfs, Operations Manager, Coöperatie Hoogstraten