Case Study
Ebrofrost |Barcode
Ebrofrost is a leading manufacturer of pre-cooked, individually quick frozen (IQF) pasta, noodles, rice, grains, and lentils, supplying the ready-meal industry, food service, and restaurant chains. Established in 2013 as a joint venture between Keck (Germany) and Danrice (Denmark), the company operates production sites in Germany, Denmark, and the UK. With an annual production capacity of 80,000 tons, Ebrofrost delivers tailor-made frozen food solutions to clients across Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
Ebrofrost Cold Storage Batch Tracking System
Being in the food industry, Ebrofrost needed a robust batch tracking system to ensure full traceability of raw ingredients through to finished goods. The system needed to accurately record which batches of raw materials were used in each production run, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and enabling rapid response in the event of a recall.
This solution provides full batch traceability, allowing Ebrofrost to quickly identify which raw materials were used in each product, ensuring compliance with food industry regulations. By implementing barcode scanning technology optimised for freezer environments, the system enhances efficiency, accuracy, and product safety while reducing manual errors.
All incoming raw materials are scanned and logged into the system upon arrival, ensuring accurate tracking from the very start of the production process.
barcode printer
Each lot is uniquely identified with its own barcode label. A barcode is applied to the finished product, which is scanned and linked back to the original batch of raw materials, ensuring end-to-end traceability for food safety and quality control.
Barcode Scanners for Cold Storage
To withstand the freezer environment, the barcode scanning devices were specially selected to prevent screen fogging while maintaining reliability in extreme temperatures.
Bespoke Client Software
Windows software enables Ebrofrost's users to efficiently manage stock, process customer orders, and access the full transaction history within the database. The system provides clear batch tracking information, ensuring that in the event of a product recall, users can quickly identify which items were produced and which customers they were shipped to, ensuring fast and accurate traceability.
database
The system is built on a cloud-based database, ensuring real-time access to batch tracking data across the organisation. This allows instant traceability, improved reporting, and seamless integration with Ebrofrost’s existing quality control processes.
solution summary
Ebrofrost struggled to accurately track the movement of raw materials through to finished goods, making it difficult to maintain compliance with food safety regulations and manage potential product recalls.
The Solution
"Standard" barcode scanners could not be used in freezer conditions, causing screen fogging and hardware failures in the extreme cold temperatures of the warehouse.
The Solution
Specialised barcode scanners were chosen to operate effectively in freezer conditions without screen fogging, maintaining reliability and efficiency in extreme temperatures.
The lack of a centralised system meant real-time visibility of stock and batch history was limited, resulting in delayed decision-making and inefficient inventory management.
The Solution
A cloud-based database was introduced, providing real-time visibility of stock, batch history, and order processing, improving operational efficiency and decision-making.
In the event of a product recall, it was difficult to quickly identify which batches of raw materials were used in finished products, slowing down the recall process.
The Solution
The system enables quick identification of which raw material batches were used in each finished product, streamlining recall processes and ensuring rapid responses if needed.