Elior deploys Markem-Imaje’s smart data and RFID to cut food waste and boost efficiency

Catering giant Elior, a powerhouse in the Italian food service industry, has partnered with global supply chain solution provider Markem-Imaje to implement a robust, end-to-end data management system.

The new solution, integrating RFID technology and advanced printing systems, is designed to drastically reduce food waste and optimise production efficiency across Elior’s small-medium-business (SMB) division.

Elior’s SMB division focuses on providing modern, modular catering solutions for small to medium-sized food outlets, featuring over two hundred chef-prepared, preservative-free recipes—from traditional Italian dishes like Lasagna Bolognese to contemporary vegan options.

The centerpiece of this collaboration is the integration of Markem-Imaje’s CoLOS software and 2200 Series Print & Apply systems at Elior’s production hub. This technology manages the complex data required for Elior’s automated and smart distribution formats, such as the Urban 360—a smart fridge system that allows 24/7, booking-free meal distribution.

The key to the efficiency gain lies in connecting the physical product digitally:

• Real-time production: CoLOS software communicates directly with Elior’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, managing production in real time
• Smart labelling: the 2200 Series Print & Apply systems accurately apply labels containing human-readable information while simultaneously encoding critical data onto embedded RFID tags
• Traceability: the RFID tags improve product traceability and ensure compliance with European regulations, a non-negotiable requirement in the food sector.

For both companies, the primary driver for this technological shift is the fight against food waste. The new system moves Elior from reactive restocking to predictive, data-driven replenishment.

“The Elior project immediately thrilled us because it includes some of the core values of the Markem-Imaje philosophy, such as the fight against food waste,” explains Gianluca Angelici, solutions architect at Markem-Imaje Italy. “Thanks to this project, Elior can automatically establish which dishes need to be replenished and send only what is consumed, as well as manage deadlines in a predictive manner.”

This predictive capability ensures that only necessary items are sent to distribution points like the Urban 360 smart fridges or “mini market” display cases, dramatically cutting down on expired stock.

Luca Lomolino, IT application manager at Elior Italy, stressed the value of a unified technical partner for such an ambitious project.

“We needed a partner to help us to connect the product digitally and, in Markem-Imaje, we identified the skills and products necessary to move in this direction,” Lomolino stated. “What convinced us was the possibility of having a single implementor for all technological areas, with efficient Print & Apply labellers, software with proven stability and robustness, RFID Technology, and knowledge of IT industrial environments.”

The successful deployment of this robust solution marks Elior’s commitment to strategic innovation and sustainability, positioning the Italian catering giant to enhance service for its 106 million annual customers while making measurable strides toward a greener, more efficient supply chain.