Vilant was rated again this year as one of Finland’s Technology Fast 50 companies by Deloitte. This is the seventh time that the competition is arranged in Finland ranking the fastest-growing high-tech companies based on percentage growth in revenue over five years. Vilant grew 444% over this period and was ranked 18th. A full list of the winners on Deloitte’s pages.
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HELSINKI, FINLAND (May 23, 2011) – VR Transpoint, the largest logistics group in Finland with operations in 9 European countries & Russia and Vilant Systems have implemented a modern logistics system, now in production use, based on second generation RFID. This is the world’s first full scale implementation in rail industry providing VR Transpoint with one of the fastest and most efficient logistics processes available.
RFID technology uses communication through the use of radio waves to exchange data between a reader and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and tracking. Leading companies in other industries such as Nokia, Wal-Mart and Volvo are also using second generation RFID for improving their logistics processes through automation.
“This is a vast logistics implementation that brings major process changes in rail yards, defect management, asset inventory management, automation and more. We have now tagged all our 10 000 freight wagons with RFID tags and have in everyday usage over 300 handheld reading devices,” says development manager Ilari Niskanen at VR Transpoint.
The advantage of RFID tagging is that VR Transpoint personnel can now track wagons automatically and in distance through handheld devices. All information is automatically and instantly registered into the logistics system whereas before this involved a lot of manual work. Work instructions are also digitally delivered through the handheld devices for optimal timing. This all means real-time and error-free information flow and management of assets. In addition, RFID tags need no visual contact so they can be dirty or embedded while still functional. This is especially important in industrial asset tracking in harsh environments such as extreme weather conditions.
For VR Transpoint this is however just the start as the new logistics system gives rise for several additional beneficial applications. Vilant, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of supply chain and asset tracking RFID systems, offers a software platform that enables multiple applications utilizing RFID tags. In the rail industry, some of these applications include tracking of assets; integration with weighing of wagons; defect marking and tracking; as well as, several cargo customer services leading to a new level of services to VR Transpoint customers.
VR Group is a versatile, environmentally friendly and responsible corporate group of travel, logistics and infrastructure engineering services. VR Transpoint is Finland’s leading and most versatile transports & logistics service company. The company’s net sales in 2010 amounted to €580.6 M and its staff numbered 2600. VR Transpoint offers a wide range of high-quality and up-to-date rail, groupage, bulk goods and international transports & logistics services.
Vilant Systems is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of supply chain and asset tracking RFID systems. Since its foundation, in 2002, Vilant has been awarded with numerous growth and innovation awards and has delivered installations to 22 countries on five continents. Most of Vilant’s customers come from electronics, automotive or machinery manufacturing industry or operate in logistics. Vilant offers its customers turn-key RFID solutions that result in faster stock turnover, lower inventory level and more efficient supply chain process. Vilant’s offering includes own software, own or third party hardware supplied from a trusted partner network and services such as installation, integration, consultation and 24/7 support.
Press Contacts:
Heikki Ruuhijärvi, VR Transpoint
+358 40 862 3750
Heikki.ruuhijarvi@vrtranspoint.fi
Arlinda Sipilä, Vilant Systems
+358 50 362 3571
Arlinda.sipila@vilant.com
Espoo, Finland – May 11, 2011 – Vilant Systems announced today it has been selected as a Finalist for Red Herring’s Top 100 Europe award, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from the European business region.
The Red Herring editorial team selected the most innovative companies from a pool of hundreds from across Europe. The nominees are evaluated on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries.
This unique assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the actual track record and standing of a company, which allows Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list an valuable instrument for discovering and advocating the greatest business opportunities in the industry.
“This year was very rewarding,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “The global economic situation has abated and there are many great companies producing really innovative and amazing products. We had a very difficult time narrowing the pool and selecting the finalists. Vilant shows great promise therefore deserves to be among the Finalists. Now we’re faced with the difficult task of selecting the Top 100 winners of Red Herring Europe. We know that the 2011 crop will grow into some amazing companies that are sure to make an impact.”
Finalists for the 2011 edition of the Red Herring 100 Europe award are selected based upon their technological innovation, management strength, market size, investor record, customer acquisition, and financial health. During the several months leading up to the announcement, hundreds of companies in the telecommunications, security, Web 2.0, software, hardware, biotech, mobile and other industries completed their submissions to qualify for the award.
The Finalists are invited to present their winning strategies at the Red Herring Europe Forum in Amsterdam, May 23-25, 2011. The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony the evening of May 25 at the event.
Swiss Post is a modern logistics company. Every day, it delivers half a million parcels and 15 million letters and other consignments. It provides its business customers with comprehensive solutions, ranging from storage to transports of all types. Swiss Post’s internal procedures and processes are improved continuously and the company invests heavily in new technologies. Swiss Post thus strives to both remain an efficient company and meet shifting customer requirements.
Swiss Post has 1200 trucks that carry containers with parcels. These trucks enter or leave the three parcel centres in Frauenfeld, Härkingen and Daillens. The fast and reliable dispatching of the trucks to its loading and unloading platforms is a key element in the whole business process. With the RFID system provided by Vilant Systems AG, the identification of the containers is fully automated and in real-time. “The implemented RFID-Solution fulfills all our operational and technical requirements fully and has well-proven its functionality over 99%, even in the strong wintertime, ” says Alain Meuwly, Project Manager RFID Systems at Swiss Post. Read more…
Espoo, Finland – March 14, 2011 – Nowaste Logistics, part of Europe’s premier fresh produce provider Total Produce Corporation, is proud to be known as the forerunner in logistics. This is one of the reasons why they wanted to implement RFID in their operations. Helsingborg warehouse in Sweden will be the first location where RFID system is introduced. The solution is implemented by Vilant in cooperation with Consafe Logistics. Consafe is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of logistics solutions and Vilant supplies turn-key RFID systems for its customers. Since 2008, Vilant and Consafe have been in close cooperation in Sweden, Norway and Netherlands to offer their customers the best solution available. Nowaste has used Consafe’s warehouse management system since 2000, when the company was still called Everfresh, and is now expanding the system to include also RFID. Read more…
Helsinki, Finland and Berne, Switzerland – 23 February 2011 – Two strong market players in RFID services, Vilant Systems Oy, one of the leading RFID suppliers in Europe with 150 installations in 20 countries, and Swisscom Auto-ID Services AG, the leading RFID provider in Switzerland, have agreed to merge their RFID activities. The companies have worked as partners in the past. Since the growth in the RFID market is enormous, this merger will help to further synchronise the activities and strengthen the market presence of both companies.
As part of the deal, Swisscom will sell its stake in Swisscom Auto-ID Services AG to Vilant Systems Oy, following which Swisscom will own a minority stake in Vilant Systems Oy. The Swiss company will operate under Vilant’s brand and therefore the name Swisscom Auto-ID Services AG will change to Vilant Systems AG. All seven employees of Swisscom Auto-ID Services AG will continue to work for the renamed company and will keep on providing high-quality RFID services to existing and new customers in Switzerland as Vilant expands its central European footprint.
From 1 May 2011, Vilant Systems AG will be led by Vilant’s co-founder and Chairman, Antti Virkkunen. While Antti will assume this new role, Vilant’s other co-founder Ville Kauppinen will take the role of Chief Executive Officer of Vilant. Current Swisscom Auto-ID Services CEO Werner Friedli will lead the business until his retirement at the end of April 2011.
“We have extensive experience and a long track record in the successful deployment of RFID solutions for large international companies including Nokia, ABB, Volvo and STX Europe,” says Ville Kauppinen, CEO and co-founder of Vilant. “Swisscom Auto-ID Services brings additional expertise and a solid customer base to Vilant. Together, we will have a stronger presence in Central Europe and will be able to serve our customers with local resources.”
RFID technology brings visible improvements in the efficiency of material flow in the supply chain and asset management. These have been two areas of concentration for Vilant since its founding in 2002. Today Vilant is one of the fastest growing technology companies in Europe, with a five-year growth rate of 980%.
A subsidiary of Swisscom AG, Swisscom Auto-ID Services was founded as a start-up company in October 2005. Today Swisscom Auto-ID Services is the leading Swiss provider in the area of Auto-ID solutions, with a focus on RFID. The services it offers include consulting, implementation and operation. Among its customers are Swiss Post, Migros, Swisscom and DHL.
About RFID Technology
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to identify objects that communicate with each other. This technology looks set for accelerated growth, since it offers significant benefits for the optimisation of supply chain, asset and life cycle management and many other applications. The most commonly used identification method is to store a unique serial number that identifies an object on a microchip attached to an antenna.
Contacts:
Vilant Systems Oy
Arlinda Sipilä
arlinda.sipila@vilant.com
+358 50 362 3571
Swisscom AG
Media Relations
+41 58 221 98 04
From RFID tags to SAP ERP and everything in between – RFID All Stars brings together the leading RFID companies in the industry. The All Stars stand is an excellent platform to learn about processes and business benefits that RFID can bring to your supply chain processes, and discuss the implementation thereof.
RFID All Stars will be exhibiting at LogiMat 2011 on Hall 3, stand 315. Come and meet our group of RFID specialists at the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre and see what’s going on in the field of RFID. LogiMat event is a cornerstone tradeshow in the field of logistics in Europe and thus deserves the strong presence of RFID experts as the technology is one of the new key drivers of technical supply chain performance improvement.
More about the event here. (more…)
The new Vilant Cell Reader (VCR) launched in fall 2010 is designed for personnel and material tracking for example in factory assembly cells. The development of VCR was initiated by a customer project that could not be delivered with products currently on the markets. VCR has been well adopted among Vilant’s customers and already hundreds of units are now in production. VCR is in use in both its main purposes: material and personnel tracking applications. In material tracking the reader has enabled leaner and more transparent process. (more…)
We implemented an RFID based production control system for Fenestra’s window frame and sash production lines. The system includes over 50 readers. As a true milestone in RFID credibility the system produces a phenomenal read rate of over 99,999% with 100 000 daily reads for over a year now. The RFID system enables Fenestra to customize each individual component according to a specific customer order automatically. Read the entire case description here.
Since October 4th our new street address has been Tietäjäntie 2, 02130 Espoo!
Vilant Systems’ office has been located in Sinikalliontie 4 since 2004. Our growth has been continuous and fast and the number of staff has grown in the same pace; from five persons in 2004 to 33 in 2010. (more…)
