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The German retail giant Metro Group has (in conjunction with RFID supplier Intermec Technologies) announced the successful implementation of RFID readers and tags at its largest and busiest distribution centre in Germany.

Located in Unna, Germany, the distribution centre is equipped with Intermec's IF5 intelligent RFID readers, as well as RFID tags powered by Intermec. With more than 50,000 pallets read to date, Metro reports that it has enjoyed a 99% tag read-rate to date, as well as complete compliance with ETSI radio standards for operation in Europe.

"Intermec has been an integral partner in our full-scale RFID rollout," noted Dr. Gerd Wolfram, executive project manager of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative. "With the strong read rates and system performance we've seen from their hardware, Metro Group is proving the efficiency and accuracy that RFID promises for retailers."

The partnership builds on Intermec's RFID system participation in the Metro Group Future Store Initiative, Metro's Innovation centre, and the full-scale Metro RFID rollout that began in November 2004.

"Metro's commitment to RFID demonstrates how emerging technologies can benefit retailing operations from inventory to point of sale," said Intermec's president, Tom Miller. "The key areas of financial and profit improvement from supply chain RFID technology include reduced shrink and loss of inventory, reduced out-of-stock conditions at store level, more efficient transportation and logistics, reduced inventory and lower labour costs associated with receiving."

The Metro Group operates in 30 countries around the world, at almost 2,500 locations, employing more than 240,000 staff. Its six sales divisions operate independently with their own specific sales concepts: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry provides self-service wholesaling; Real hypermarkets, Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn are all consumer electronics centres throughout Europe; Praktiker offers home improvement and DIY centres; and Galeria Kaufhof is a popular department store chain.

For additional information:
·  Visit Metro Group at http://www.future-store.org
·  Visit Intermec at http://www.intermec.com

Source: Intermec Technologies Corp.