Hi-G-Tek Announces Fuel Distribution Supply Chain Solution for Rompetrol in Romania and Bulgaria
April 16, 2008 —
Wireless application improves asset utilization and reduces excess inventory and shrinkage.
Hi-G-Tek (www.higtek.com), a developer of RFID sensing and control solutions for tracking high-value cargo and sensitive materials, today announced that it has installed a comprehensive fuel distribution monitoring solution for the Rompetrol Group (www.rompetrol.com), a multinational oil company operating in 13 countries, with the majority of its assets and operations in France, Romania, Spain and South-East Europe. The Hi-G-Tek system monitors and communicates real-time information regarding the fuel in the company's secondary distribution chain, from depot to pump, in both Romania and Bulgaria. The data captured by the active-RFID Hi-G-Tek system is processed and then transmitted to Rompetrol's enterprise software system, which receives and records the information providing Rompetrol the ability to track and monitor inventory, deliveries and asset levels real time.
Notably, Rompetrol utilizes Hi-G-Tek's wireless remote sensing technology to monitor and secure both standard gas stations and unattended, fully automated gas stations. The unattended stations are remote freestanding facilities in isolated areas of Romania and Bulgaria with above ground tanks secured with electronic seals. The Rompetrol system also includes the Hi-G-Tek Tanker Truck Monitoring Solution (TTMS), providing real time visibility during transport and delivery to the fuel stations, giving the Rompetrol Operations team multiple advantages in handling distribution logistics, while providing a preventive for fraud by securing and tracking petroleum products in transit. Prior to the implementation of this solution, Rompetrol physically inspected shipments; Hi-G-Tek's system now provides the company with an automated security solution throughout its supply chain.
Primary benefits include an estimated 20% reduction of excess inventory, an expected 80% decline in fraud and a 25% decrease in rolling stock. Rolling stock and excess inventory are reduced because stock can be accurately located with Hi-G-Tek's active-RFID solution, eliminating the need to maintain excess oil in the supply chain.
The Rompetrol project employs Hi-G-Seals, Data Readers and reusable Hi-G-Locks to secure and track fuel tanks while in transit, providing automated visibility for an approximately 2,000-mile supply chain. The seals are used on in-ground tanks at the gas stations, while the readers prevent product crossover and grade mixing by sounding an alarm to alert technicians of potential grade contamination. Hi-G-Locks work to secure container doors and provide automatic warnings of unauthorized tanker access. Larry Blue, President and CEO, Hi-G-Tek, said, "Rompetrol is a visionary customer, and has pushed Hi-G-Tek to develop new solutions, expand our monitoring capabilities and explore new business opportunities. As Hi-G-Tek continues its relationship with Rompetrol, I foresee our technology affecting a broader portion of the company's retail operations, which would lead to greater deployment and acceptance of our systems throughout Europe."
Anyone who is interested in discussing this application is invited to meet with Hi-G-Tek representatives at RFID Journal Live 2008 on April 16 - 18 at The Venetian Resort-Hotel in Las Vegas. Hi-G-Tek will be exhibiting at booth #363.
About Rompetrol
The Rompetrol Group N.V. is a multinational oil company headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, operating in 13 countries, and with the majority of its assets and operations based in France, Romania, Spain, and South-East Europe. The group is active primarily in refining, marketing and trading, with additional operations in exploration and production, and other oil industry services such as drilling, EPCM, and transportation. TRG aims to become one of the largest independent oil companies in Europe and obtain a strong position in the Black Sea and Mediterranean areas. Rompetrol is a well-established oil company, a trustworthy worldwide partner, and a revered corporate citizen. The success and strength of our business lies first and foremost with our staff. Therefore, if our actions are dynamic, modern, creative and experienced, it is due to the employees who sustain our business, and who can be best described by those four words.
About Hi-G-Tek
Hi-G-Tek is the developer of Highly Intelligent RFID asset sense and control solutions for fuel distribution and global trade lanes. The company's patented "sensing" technology has applications in several key markets, including homeland security, transportation, fuel distribution, military, biomedical, and global trade lanes. Hi-G-Tek's unique active RFID solutions provide unparalleled levels of real-time security and "sensing" of key assets, whether stationary or in transit, indoors or outdoors. Its sophisticated technology not only detects where an "asset" is, but also its status or condition-anytime, from anywhere in the world. For additional information, visit www.higtek.com.