Before adopting a real-time tracking solution, Pilkington – NSG faced several critical inefficiencies in managing their Returnable Transport Items (RTIs). The absence of real-time visibility made it difficult to determine the exact location and status of each container in circulation. This lack of transparency led to frequent loss or misplacement of reusable packaging such as racks, bins, and trolleys—items essential for daily operations.

Because tracking was done manually or through disconnected systems, the reconciliation process was slow and error-prone, often relying on delayed reports or incomplete data. These gaps in tracking accuracy created operational bottlenecks and added administrative overhead.

To compensate for perceived shortages, the team often resorted to over-purchasing additional RTIs or using expedited shipping to meet urgent needs—both of which significantly increased logistics costs. Furthermore, without an automated system to track returns and enforce accountability, managing supplier compliance with RTI return schedules became difficult, exposing the business to further delays and inefficiencies.

These challenges highlighted the urgent need for a centralized, automated solution capable of delivering real-time data and actionable insights across the entire RTI lifecycle.