Brian Albright

When Wal-Mart unveiled its plans to reduce its packaging by 5 percent by 2013, and to measure the environmental impact of packaging material using a packaging scorecard, sustainability immediately became a top-of-mind issue for the company's suppliers and the packaging industry at large.

Packagers are always looking for new ways to make their products stand out, and have often turned to unique substrates or coatings that are durable, attractive and at times a bit exotic - you can now find boxes on the shelves that mimic leather, parchment or even fur.

Almost as soon as Wal-Mart announced that it would require its suppliers to attach radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to pallets and cases headed for its distribution centers, manufacturers began looking to their packaging suppliers to assist with compliance. Source tagging at the box plant...more >>

Right now everyone-including solution providers-is on a steep learning curve when it comes to radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Initial tests of RFID in the supply chain between large retailers and their suppliers have been promising. Those just starting down the RFID path, however,...more >>

Bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID) will become much more prevalent in the pharmaceutical supply chain in the wake of new rules and recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ever since Wal-Mart first announced its plans to require its suppliers to use RFID in the supply chain, technology vendors large and small have flooded the marketplace with new products and services aimed at fast compliance with the latest mandate from the world's largest retailer.

A lot of companies are investigating how they can leverage RFID technology in the supply chain, but most industry analysts don't expect widespread adoption for another five years or more. Some companies, though, have gotten an early start.