CHEP Announces Its Latest RFID Innovation: 3-in-1 Tag.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- CHEP today announced their latest RFID product innovation here at the 7th CGCSA/ECR-SA Conference. The company showcased the new 3-in-1 tag, which provides the facility to be read through RFID, Bar code, or visually using a human readable identification number.

CHEP is an industry leader in supply chain RFID research, and incorporated important findings from its practical experience in RFID implementations. The new tag innovation demonstrates a number of key features:

--Multi-mode readability (RFID, Bar-code and Visual identification), reducing the need for installation of RFID readers in all supply chain locations

--Total conformance to EPCglobal standards

--Full Read-Write capability, with two pages of user memory enabling CHEP customers to temporarily write product-related information, such as serial shipping container code (SSCC) to the tag, whilst permanently identifying the CHEP asset

--Unique packaging format that both protects the tag from external interference (metals and moisture), and optimizes the readability of the tag with standard EPC readers

--Clear identification of the tag through coloring and high quality symbology printing

The first application of this innovative tag solution will be in CHEP's United States Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) business. These containers are used to ship liquid raw materials and food ingredients. The new tag design is particularly appropriate for the metallic construction of the IBC and the liquid contents. Through the deployment of the 3-in-1 tag, CHEP customers will be able to further improve their product traceability.

"We are delighted to bring this exciting innovation to the market," notes Jurie Welman, President, CHEP Africa/Middle East. "Such innovation in RFID deployment demonstrates our commitment to supply chain efficiencies and we believe it will help our customers comply with the ever increasing requirement for traceability across the supply chain."

"This solution allows all CHEP customers to improve data capture for product tracking purposes irrespective of their readiness for reading RFID tags," concludes Brian Beattie, Senior Vice President, Marketing, CHEP.

About CHEP

CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling, serving many of the world's largest companies. With global headquarters based in Orlando, Florida, CHEP operates in 42 countries around the world, with a global staff compliment of over 7,700 people. Combining superior technology, over five decades of experience and an asset base of more than 265 million pallets and containers, CHEP handles pallet and container supply chain logistics for customers in the consumer goods, produce, meat, home improvement, beverage, raw materials and automotive industries. With global partners that include Procter & Gamble, SYSCO, Kellogg's, Kraft, Nestle, Ford and GM, CHEP is known for Handling the World's Most Important Products. Everyday. For more information about CHEP, please visit: www.chep.com.