Checkpoint Systems Deploys RFID for Champagne Charles Heidsieck  

Traceability remains a major challenge for wine, champagne and spirits brands. To guarantee the visibility of its products, from manufacture through to distribution, Charles Heidsieck has called on the expertise of Checkpoint Systems to deploy a complete RFID traceability solution: RFID tunnel readers, RFID inlays and software for controlling and integrating product data.

The implementation of this new solution, called BottleID, is particularly suitable for the beverage (and perfumery) sectors. Checkpoint Systems has overcome the constraints of liquid environments by developing an RFID inlay specially designed to provide optimal performance in the presence of liquids.

Thanks to this innovation, it is possible for players in the beverage sector to benefit from the many advantages of RFID technology, namely: reliable unit identification of each bottle, accurate reporting on product quantities by destination and at each stage of the supply chain, easier verification of products on the various distribution channels and reliable real-time inventory.

Specifically, a back label, supplied by Imprimerie Billet in Damery (Marne) and containing an RFID inlay, is placed on the back of each bottle during the production process. The bottles then go through Checkpoint Systems’ RFID tunnel reader, which guarantees an ultra-fast bottle/carton association rate, without ever slowing down production rates.

The shipment of the products is traced precisely, so that the origin and destination of the bottles can be checked upon receipt at the various delivery points. All this traceability data is compiled, secured and returned in the form of dashboards by the company Wine in Block.

“The decision to implement RFID came in response to a two-fold challenge: firstly, to make the information we share on our products more precise; and, secondly, to allow more accurate monitoring of the circulation of our bottles,” said Damien Riegel, production manager at Champagne Charles Heidsieck. “RFID technology has quickly established itself as the best solution, in particular because of the ease and reliability of data acquisition that it allows on the production line, without adversely affecting rates.

“In addition to the perceived benefits in terms of monitoring our markets, the implementation of RFID strengthens our communication with consumers, providing them with more precise data and greater transparency regarding our practices,” Riegel added. “We have now laid the foundations to further exploit the potential of this technology in the future. We relied on Checkpoint Systems’ expertise at all key stages of the project to provide us with a turnkey solution.”

“Thanks to our complete traceability solution, Champagne Charles Heidsieck very quickly perceived the benefits of using RFID technology,” added Julien Thibult, director of RFID sales and source protection, Checkpoint Systems France. “The brand now has the ability to track all of its bottles in its distribution networks and has considerably optimized the control of its flows and its brand image.”