Westfleisch relies on Loopario's Load Carrier Management System for its food logistics
Westfleisch, one of the leading companies in the European meat industry, relies on the software solution from tech company Loopario (formerly Logistikbude) to digitize its load carrier management. The software is being deployed at the logistics subsidiary Wetralog, initially at the Coesfeld site. If the defined targets are met, the system will be rolled out to additional sites step by step. The goal is an end-to-end digital process that reduces manual steps and data silos, creates greater transparency, and improves both the quality and controllability of operations. The project is currently in the integration and pilot phase, with go-live scheduled for the end of September.
"For us, modern logistics means more than moving goods from A to B. We want to intelligently connect the flows of goods, information, and load carriers, and develop Wetralog step by step into an even more data-driven logistics company," says Christian Neekamp, Managing Director of Wetralog.
Working closely together, the logistics company, Westfleisch, and Loopario analyzed the existing processes and developed a clear target vision for an end-to-end digital process.
Greater transparency in complex circulation loops
Reusable packaging plays a key role in the meat industry: in Germany alone, around 85 million E2 crates are in circulation, and the German Meat Industry Association (VDF) estimates the figure across Europe at roughly 260 million containers. At Westfleisch, E1 to E3 crates are joined by pallets and numerous other reusable load carriers. They are issued along with the goods, unloaded at customers or logistics partners, returned, inspected, cleaned whenever they have been in direct contact with product, and then put back into use.
Until now, information from delivery and return processes has been captured and processed across a range of established systems and process steps. Bringing this information together and working with it further, in particular, offered the potential to standardize workflows more fully and support them digitally. As Neekamp explains: "We make a point of continually questioning even well-established operational processes, and of digitizing them wherever doing so delivers lasting improvements in transparency, process quality, and control."
One consolidated system for every load carrier
Loopario's Load Carrier Management System (LCMS) now provides a digital foundation for everyone in the supply chain: load carrier movements are recorded in a single system, inventories are shown transparently, and each movement is assigned to the relevant customer and empties account. This allows Wetralog, its customers, and its logistics partners to work with the same system and standardized processes. Digital interfaces also make it easy to integrate the software into the existing ERP system landscape.
"Working with Westfleisch is an important step for us in food logistics. This industry in particular is where complex reusable packaging cycles meet high demands for hygiene, speed, and transparency — and that is exactly where digital load carrier management can deliver decisive added value," says Dr. Philipp Hüning, Co-Founder and CEO of Loopario. "In Westfleisch and Wetralog, we have professional players with real market relevance at our side to drive this topic forward together," he adds.
Load carrier management as part of the digitalization strategy
Managing load carriers digitally creates a modern and attractive working environment, because manual recording and reconciliation are no longer needed. That leaves employees more time for value-adding work. The unified data foundation also creates the basis for higher process quality and for forward-looking, resource-efficient management of load carrier inventories. Going forward, discrepancies and shortages should be identified and resolved more quickly. The project is therefore another step in Wetralog's ongoing digitalization efforts.
Step-by-step rollout across the group
The Coesfeld site marks the starting point for the introduction of the solution. Following go-live, Wetralog and Westfleisch will gather solid, real-world experience that will feed into the subsequent expansion stages. If all defined targets are met, the system will be extended step by step to the group's other sites and companies.
Robert W. Friemel, Senior Manager Corporate Development at Westfleisch, sums it up: "For us, the real value of digital solutions emerges where technology comes together with clear processes and a reliable data foundation. Loopario's solution gives us the basis to develop our processes further and, looking ahead, to extend the approach to other business areas as well."
Photo Caption: Looking forward to the next steps (from left to right): Robert W. Friemel, Senior Manager Corporate Development at Westfleisch, Fabian Bahnsen, Head of Sales at Loopario, and Christian Neekamp, Managing Director of Wetralog, are driving the digitalization of load carrier management forward together. (Photo: Loopario)
