Blockchain-traceable cable reels nominated for Computable Awards 2022

Ask a cable supplier or a technical wholesaler where its items are located and the answer is quickly given: in the factory, in the wholesaler's system or at the customer's premises. Customers pay for cables, and it makes sense that it is clear at all times exactly which product is where. But for the carrier of the cable, the reel, this answer is not as obvious. Packaging is not tracked in the chain by default. Nevertheless, there are good reasons to do so, both financially and for circularity reasons. Draka, Technische Unie and RTI Blockchain recently completed a pilot and have now been nominated for the Computable Awards 2022 in the Large Business Project category.

Less waste in the chain

Marcel Prakken, manager supply chain engineering at Technische Unie:

"Technische Unie has strong ambitions in reducing waste in the chain. Circular carriers are of great importance in this. This applies to cable reels, but also to other load carriers, such as pallets or our green transport container. By starting with one type of reel from Draka and three locations from Technische Unie, we gain insight into the possibilities of packaging registration with blockchain technology. In time, you can then expand to more packaging equipment, more locations and more parties."

Independent registration

"The advantage we have experienced is that the system has proven to be user-friendly and stable, although that does not mean that a cable reel has never disappeared during the pilot; In any case, we now know immediately where and when a reel has gone off the radar if this is the case. You can then talk to each other as participants: 'Is it due to the registration of location A or B and is there perhaps something else going on?' The fact that the registration is taken care of by an independent party is also an advantage for us."

Scaling up after the pilot

Frank Oberink, Business Manager Wholesale at Draka: We have had a successful pilot that has given us a lot of insights. Blockchain technology has proven to be the ideal tool to uncover our challenges. We have therefore jointly decided to continue with blockchain technology and to use it as a standard for our packaging registration. We are currently mapping out the investments that this entails. In fact, Draka is already working on the implementation of an API that is needed for this. Once we have everything set up, the time is ripe to add a fourth party, namely our joint customers. We want to make it as easy as possible for them to use, to ensure success.

Since the start of the pilot, we have spoken to various parties in the chain. They indicate that they experience the same problems and would also like to join. This is, of course, a fantastic development and we certainly encourage it. Wouldn't it be great if this pilot was the start of a new standard for the entire construction chain?"

Preparing for the future

Milou Klooster, founder of RTI Blockchain: "As far as we are concerned, what the collaboration between chain parties Draka and Technische Unie is about is preparing for the future. It is precisely for this reason that RTI Blockchain was created. An independent player, developed to be integrated with existing systems or APIs for a single overview, to optimize collaborations between chains, to localize packaging and to reduce the production (read: waste) of packaging parts. With the bonus goal of being able to eliminate deposits. Because, if there is one truth, why is a deposit between parties still necessary?"

"We are therefore very much looking forward to the second phase of the project. To work out the link, to help in the field of sustainability and to hook up with the rest of the chain. After all, the more parties join, the more efficient and sustainable the chain," adds Yves du Bois, co-founder of RTI Blockchain, Klooster.

Where's the trophy?

Marcel Prakken: "If we do indeed win the Computable Award, we will have a solution for one problem. You often see that when parties win a trophy together, it gets lost in the hands of one of the winners after a while. If we introduce the Computable Award as packaging in our blockchain system, we always know who has the trophy and when it will be passed from one party to another! But now hopefully win first, of course..." 

Cast your vote before 12 September!

Would you like to help Draka, Technische Unie and RTI Blockchain win the Computable Award in the category Large Business Project?? Go to deze pagina and sign up. Then use the link in your e-mail to go to Large Business Projects (last in line) and vote for us!  

Voting is open until 11 September 2022.