How can real-time location systems (RTLS) improve operational efficiency in food and beverage production?

RTLS technology provides instant visibility of personnel and equipment, helping companies reduce downtime, automate reporting, and optimize workflows. In food and beverage operations where hygiene and timing are critical, this real-time data directly enhances productivity and resource utilization.

What safety challenges does the food and beverage industry face, and how does RTLS address them?

Food and beverage plants often include metal surfaces, large machinery, and fast-paced workflows that increase accident risks. Wipelot’s UWB-based RTLS detects worker positions with sub-meter accuracy and sends automated alerts when employees enter restricted or high-risk areas, helping prevent accidents before they occur.

Is an RTLS solution scalable and compatible with existing systems in a production environment?

Yes. Modern RTLS platforms integrate easily with time and attendance, ERP, and warehouse management systems. They can start with personnel tracking and later expand to asset, forklift, or environmental monitoring — allowing gradual digital transformation without operational disruption.

Safety and Efficiency in Food & Beverage with RTLS

Number Of Assets

289 anchors
54 gateways
2803 personnel tags
88 tag charging station

Objective

Our client, one of Turkey's leading dairy manufacturers, operates on a 120-acre site with 39,000 m² of indoor facilities and 1,600+ employees. With 35 warehouses nationwide, they aimed to enhance workplace safety and efficiency. The project involved precise employee tracking and seamless process integration, achieving major gains in both productivity and safety.

Key Challenges

Giant Metal Tanks: Large metallic surfaces caused signal interference during precise tracking.
Integration: Required hybrid tag usage and software integration with existing T&A systems.
Logistics: Simultaneous deployment across 35 warehouses created logistical complexity.

Expected Outputs

Sub-meter tracking for employee safety.
Accident reduction via continuous monitoring.
Operational efficiency through automated entry/exit data.
Map-based tracking of real-time personnel positions.
Comprehensive reporting for safety management.

Solution

Deployed UWB-based active RFID technology after detailed site analysis to mitigate metal interference, completing installation and calibration in two months.
Integrated existing attendance cards with UWB tags, synchronizing entry/exit data with PKDS software.
Enabled authorized users to access alarm reports and real-time personnel maps for better safety oversight.

Benefits

The project enhanced worker safety, automated field staff entry/exit data collection, and improved overall operational efficiency.

Safety and Efficiency in Food & Beverage – FAQ

How can RTLS improve operational efficiency?

RTLS provides real-time visibility of people and assets, reducing downtime and optimizing workflows.

What safety challenges are common in F&B facilities?

Metal-rich environments and fast-paced workflows increase risk. RTLS mitigates these by automated alerts and precise location tracking.

Is RTLS scalable?

Yes. RTLS systems can start small and integrate with ERP or warehouse management tools as needed.

Why Choose Wipelot RTLS Technology?

Wipelot has focused on efficiency and safety for over 16 years, protecting employees through advanced RTLS solutions and continuous innovation.

Wipelot is a member of Omlox, UWB Alliance, and FiRa Consortium, producing in-house hardware and software, and recognized by TOBB 100 and Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for its industrial IoT excellence.