Better visibility of bulk containers at Yeo Valley
3 min. read time
From Spreadsheets to GPS Tracking
Yeo Valley supplies yogurt in bulk to wholesalers, in containers weighing up to 1,000 kg. For a long time, the company tracked those containers using spreadsheets and an ERP system that wasn’t designed for that purpose. This quickly led to errors and caused containers to go missing. Since switching from steel GLC containers to plastic Easifold containers equipped with GPS trackers, Yeo Valley knows exactly where its containers are. In addition, the company is saving costs and reducing its CO₂ emissions.
About Yeo Valley
Yeo Valley is a leading British food manufacturer that primarily produces yogurt. The company supplies all major supermarkets in the United Kingdom as well as wholesalers in the food sector. Some of these wholesalers purchase yogurt in bulk containers.
The challenge
Yeo Valley has been using bulk containers for liquids for years. The biggest challenge was keeping track of where those containers were:
- Containers were tracked in spreadsheets and in an ERP system that lacked an asset-tracking feature
- As a result, errors quickly arose
- It was difficult to track a container's location at any given time, which meant containers could go missing
The HB RTS approach
HB RTS supplies bulk containers that meet the requirements of Yeo Valley’s customers. Together, they switched to a lighter and smarter container:
- Plastic Easifold containers instead of steel GLC containers
- GPS trackers on the Easifold containers
- An online portal that shows where the containers are
- Insight into how long each container is folded or unfolded
Yeo Valley did not modify its existing facilities but invested in special incubation tanks. This allows the containers to be filled as efficiently as possible.
Results and Collaboration
The switch offers Yeo Valley benefits in several ways. The Easifold is lighter, which means more containers can fit into a single pallet space in a truck. As a result, fewer trips are needed to transport the same number of containers. This saves on costs and reduces CO₂ emissions. The production sites, in particular, are pleased with the new containers: they are less prone to damage and are more hygienic.
Equally important: there’s a lower chance of containers going missing. Through the portal, Yeo Valley can see where its containers are and how long they’ve been folded or unfolded. This allows the company to reduce the amount of time containers spend at customers’ locations before requesting a pickup.
“Our partnership with HB RTS is one of the best business relationships I’ve ever had with a supplier. Our account manager is dedicated and knows our company and the market very well. Of course, cost is important, and other suppliers offered comparable products at very competitive prices. Still, we continue to work with HB RTS by choice, because of the strong relationship we have.” Lewis Spedding - Logistics Support Manager
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