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Report from Poland
Auchan Polska selected DIGI totally for their first hypermarket
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| At the opening of Auchan hypermarket in Rzeszow Krasne, Poland (November 6, 2006); left to right, Marius Jamro - Vice President of Yakudo Plus Sp.z o.o., Laurent Villain - Purchasing Director of Auchan Polska, Hiro Nakazato from Teraoka Seiko Japan and Marek Kuryatto . President of Yakudo Plus with SM-300B lined-up on the weighing station counter |
The first Auchan hypermarket opened in Rzeszow Krasne, in the south eastern part of Poland last November, equipped completely by Yakudo Plus with DIGI scales and wrappers. DIGI products in operation are: 24 units of SM-300 Series, including SM-300R with platform 15kg, DPS-90 with platform 60kg, one unit DP-90 and Yakudo's managing software Balance HQ as well as 4 units of Scharfen food slicers, including 3 automatic ones. For the prepackaging operation side, ILE-3600E, FX-3600XL/C Sus and AW-3600CP AUTO are installed.
After this successful installation, Yakudo received another order for a new Auchan hypermarket, which opened on May 30th.
(Reported by Marius Jamro - Vice President of Yakudo Plus Sp.z o.o.)
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Report from South Africa
DIGI/Teraoka S. A. No.1 in South Africa
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| Albe Naude, Managing Director of Teraoka S.A. (Pty) Ltd. |
Albe Naude, Managing Director of Teraoka S.A. (Pty) Ltd. proudly announced, "Teraoka S.A. secured a big order from Shoprite Checkers for 2200 units of SM-300, which are now in operation in all corners of their stores throughout South Africa and other African nations."
Shoprite Checkers is the largest retail chain in South Africa. Of the 578 Supermarkets in the Group, 74 stores are operated in African States such as Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Mozambique. The Group was known for their two-supplier strategy in scales and used Avery and DIGI scales throughout their supermarkets.
Shoprite Checkers required not only low cost scales for their operations, but also large memory, easy operation and Ethernet technology to link to the Back Office Systems for price and product updates. After-sales service delivery was also of the utmost importance for their decision.
Teraoka Weigh-System Pte. Ltd. (Teraoka Singapore) and Teraoka S. A. worked together for the development of the additional-digits display in the price structures used in the African Countries. The DIGI team, including Akihiko Kuroiwa, Managing Director of Teraoka Singapore and Russell Mac Fie of Teraoka S.A. assisted by Tan Liang Beng of Technical Support, released a perfect product to fully meet the Shoprite Checkers requirements within the critical deadline schedule.
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| Shoprite Checkers chose DIGI for their stores throughout South Africa and other African nations. |
Sdb*3, the new software product which is an Ethernet version of the Digibox development used for Pick N' Pay, another leading retailer, was finalized and helped put Teraoka S.A. in a leading position in the South African market again.
After much discussion and negotiation, finally the order was placed with DIGI. The first installations started in March 2006 and completed at the end of July 2006. The 2200SM-300 Scales included replacing all the Avery Scales and all the old DIGI SM-25 scales.
Only a well-coordinated installation program with dedicated staff throughout all 10 branches could accomplish such a project. Well done Teraoka South Africa!
Teraoka S.A. has committed to Shoprite Checkers to also supply all the thermal labels to their supermarkets on a monthly basis at which time the scales are checked and thermal heads cleaned as well. A service helpdesk has been implemented at the Teraoka S.A. Head Office where all Shoprite Service calls are placed and monitored against stringent service level agreements.
Teraoka S.A. received this order by proving that their service, quality of product, pricing and business strategies are superior to other local scale companies and that Teraoka S.A. builds partnerships with their customers.
Teraoka S.A. is now the sole supplier of scales, service and thermal labels to the largest supermarket group in S.A.
(Reported by Albe Naude, Managing Director of Teraoka S.A.)
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Report from USA
NBI installed 200 units of SM-500 in 7 days, converting 16 stores to DIGI
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| DIGI Serviceman instructing Giant Clerk on the proper use of SM-500 scale |
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| Giant Deli Clerk using newly installed SM-500 |
NBI successfully delivered and installed 200 units of SM-500 in 7 days last October. This installation represented the complete conversion of 16 formerly Clemens stores (now operated under Giant logo after the acquisition by Ahold group) in eastern Pennsylvania from Hobart to DIGI retail scales. All units installed were networked into the newly installed wireless Ethernet system for control of all scale data. All scale data had to be preloaded with all normal PLU information, label formats, labels and Ethernet specifications prior to store delivery. Training sessions were required at each store to fully train operators in Deli, Bakery, Cheese, Service Meat and Produce departments. This was done simultaneously at seven stores at a time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all NBI/DIGI family members for their support in making this project work. Particular thanks is due to Teraoka Singapore for their production arrangements, completing 200 units of SM-500 with wireless interface on very short notice. Without Teraoka Singapore's strong support the very tight installation schedule could not have been met.
(Reported by John Baumann, President of NBI)
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Report from USA
NBI closes order for 24 AW-4600 Wrappers from WINCO
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| WINCO chose DIGI Wrapper |
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| AW-4600 in operation at WINCO's Boise store |
WINCO, one of the leading chains on the West Coast, decided to purchase 24 AW-4600 automatic wrappers for installation during the first half of 2007. This is a great way to start the New Year and is a wonderful kickoff for sales of the AW-4600.
During the competition for this sale, the AW-4600 was tested in store, head to head, with the all new Hobart, Wash-down Wrapper. The AW-4600 performed perfectly and won based on its flawless, jam free, simple, fully automatic operation.
WINCO's meat room is a very high volume department wrapping an unusually high percentage of packages in store. In addition, WINCO sells a very high percentage of very large packs. They run 10*14 (inch) trays that will weigh close to 10 pounds each and they run hundreds of these sized packs per day. The AW-4600 never jammed. It wrapped pack after pack, day after day, with almost zero package jams. Because of this trouble free operation, the AW-4600 more then kept pace with the production requirements. Also, the AW-4600 wrapped the full range of packs from the largest to the smallest using one roll of film. This simplifies film supply and the super stretch technology reduced film costs.
Congratulations to NBI, our NBI dealers, Market Supply and Emerald Equipment, and to the great support from the Teraoka Japan's Wrapper BU staff for making this sale and launching the AW-4600 to a great start. Without great teamwork this order could never have been closed.
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| NBI organized the AW-4600 service training courses before installation of 24 AW-4600 to WINCO. All 25 field service engineers joined, showing NBI's commitment to provide good service to WINCO. |
(Reported by John Baumann, President of NBI)
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Report from Japan
DIGI POS ECR WebRise selected by Bakery shops
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| Bakery "SAFFRON" owner Yoshioki Ogawa (left) and shop manager Miss Yamane |
WebRise has been well accepted in Japan, especially by well known bakeries. We are pleased to introduce "SAFFRON," a bakery with five shops in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.
"Kashiwa no Ha," a shop in a residential area with parking for 70 cars in a green environment sells baked breads. From 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., more than 200 varieties of breads are freshly baked using three ovens and a stone kiln. More than 1000 customers visit the bakery and enjoy shopping and chatting at the eat-in corner with free coffee service and a kids room available.
During the weekend, sales at the shop reach Yen 1,800,000 (11,000 EURO). We feel honored that the sleek design of the WebRise was selected by "SAFFRON" to speed up the checkout. During peak times, six clerks can service four customers at once with only two WebRise: one operator and two shop clerks can serve two customers per unit. Since the WebRise only requires an A4* footprint, there is plenty of counter space available for packaging the baked goods. The five stores of "SAFFRON" in total installed 6 units of WebRise and 5 units of another POS model Web2100.
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| More than 200 different breads baked in-store each day |
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| Bakery "SAFFRON" Kashiwa-no-ha shop with parking for 70 cars, eat-in corner and kids room. |
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| A POS WebRise servicing two customers |
(Reported by Yoshiko Nagata, Editor of DIGI News Bulletin.)
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Report from Japan
The latest trend in Japan with ELEXY
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| ELEXY displaying the message to customers |
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| Tokyo Midtown opened in Roppongi on March 30th and is a composite urban district (68,900 square meters) with six buildings set amongst lush greenery. It features a variety of facilities such as stores, restaurants, offices, hotels and museums, surrounded by greenery. The area used to house the Defense Ministry, and in the Edo Shogun Period was home to the Japanese feudal lord. |
These days the delicatessen business is booming in Japan. This is especially true in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, where department stores have remodeled their food floors to meet the increased demand. Japanese people are very brand aware and the famous delicatessen stores are expanding their shops with foreign as well as domestic brands, including the famous French brand, Fauchan and other famous Japanese restaurants. With more Japanese women working outside the home, there is less time for them to prepare meals, which creates an increased demand for prepared foods and other ready to serve items. In new supermarkets, there are counter sales in the delicatessen area.
To meet these demands, the sleek designs of Teraoka/DIGI's SM-880 and ELEXY (transparent display type) have been selected. Fauchan and Imahan (famous up-scale butcher shop) chose ELEXY for their shops at Takashimaya Department (Shinjyuku shop) which were remodeled and opened in April. The photos show the Japanese delicatessen opened at Precce . a high quality supermarket in the Tokyo Midtown area in Roppongi.
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ELEXY lined up at the Japanese delicatessen shop
"ITOHAN" of "Precce" in Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi) |
(Reported by Yoshiko Nagata, Editor of DIGI News Bulletin.)
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Report from U.A.E.
Going wireless with SPINNEYS
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| Danny Lotz of SPINNEYS (left) and Raffy Der-Stephenian, General Manager of Spectro-Line Trading (right) |
Spectro-Line Trading, DIGI distributor based in Dubai, has successfully introduced DIGI retail scales into SPINNEYS, one of the leading and fastest growing supermarket chains in U.A.E. SPINNEYS Town Center Store is their first supermarket in U.A.E. to introduce Wireless Retail Scales into their operations, with support from DIGI and Spectro-Line Trading. The first installation and commissioning of SM-300 with wireless interface were carried out smoothly in 2006.
SPINNEYS has become a leader in retail and wholesale consumer goods and established a reputation over the past 41 years for quality and service.
SPINNEYS has long been the premier supermarkets offering a wide product range, best quality, friendly service and convenient shopping.
SPINNEYS group are currently involved in distribution and marketing of consumer goods and liquor products, supermarket retailing, food services, and exports of consumer products.
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| SM-300 Pole and Bench types, both types are used at the Fruits and Vegetables Section of SPINNEYS Town Center. |
SPINNEYS also operate SUPASAVE Discount Store in Seychelles and Al Fair Supermarket in Oman.
The group's activities extend throughout the entire U.A.E., which includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm AI Qwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Having set the milestone with one of the leading supermarket brands in U.A.E., DIGI's presence definitely increases in the GULF.
(Reported by Joseph Mah, Marketing)
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Report from Russia
Auchan gaining popularity in Russia - selecting DIGI since their debut
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| Auchan hypermarket |
Auchan hypermarkets started in Russia in 2002. Initially the development of the hypermarket chain was supposed to be in and around Moscow. Low price, wide assortment of food and non-food products, huge parking spaces and many related shops around the corner are the major factors that have contributed to Auchan's popularity.
Elena Strekalova, Product Manager of DIGI Technologies Co., Ltd. proudly says that DIGI was selected from the beginning and has continuously been positioned as the supplier of weighing and packaging equipment. DIGI's standard offer to Auchan includes FX-3600XL and AW-3600AT packaging machines, SM-300 and SM-500 scales, DP-90, DI-90 and platform scales.
In 2006, 2 new hypermarkets: "Ryazansky" and "Roublyovo" opened in Moscow. Both Moscow hypermarkets chose DIGI and DIGI Technologies.
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| SM-300 in operation at a sales counter with various cheeses |
Auchan "Ryazansky" is located in the eastern part of the city, right behind the Moscow Circular Auto Highway (MKAD), which is the traditional location for all Moscow mega malls. Auchan "Ryazansky" is an integral part of the gigantic trade center "GOROD" (City), which was built in early 2005. Auchan "Roublyovo" opened in the western part of Moscow. This area is well known for its high cost of living and incredible "castles" for Russian politicians, businessmen and pop-stars. There are always rumors around this place and much activity from the mass media. Many people doubted the necessity of a cost-saving hypermarket in this part of the city. But the "RETAIL PARK" has become a very popular place among members of Moscow's elite society. Auchan "Roublyovo" is the first hypermarket in Russia where the SM-500 with the big LCD display has been installed.
Another Auchan hypermarket opened in "BELAYA DACHA" in the southeastern part of the Moscow suburbs at the end of 2006.
The popularity of Auchan has moved it to other cities in Russia. The first regional Auchan opened in Ekaterinbourg, near the Ural Mountains, in November 2006. Ekaterinbourg is one of the biggest Russian cities with a population of more than 1.5 million. The city has a welldeveloped infrastructure and a number of mega malls where global brands such as IKEA, MEGA, OBI and METRO have already opened their hypermarkets.
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| Inside of an Auchan hypermarket |
Auchan Ekaterinbourg is built and equipped according to worldwide standards, but with a unique feature: it is the first hypermarket where whole animal carcasses are available for purchase. DIGI Technologies installed three packaging machines and the standard set of SM-series scales in Auchan Ekaterinbourg. DIGI technical staff from the Moscow office managed to complete all tasks for the regional hypermarket's second launch on time.
DIGI was selected at the end of 2006 for the second regional Auchan hypermarket in Nizhny Novgorod, and two hypermarkets: Auchan "PARNAS" and "KOUDROVO" in Russia's second capital, St. Petersburg.
DIGI Technologies is sure that we will provide our partner company Auchan with DIGI's wide range of solution systems and our sales/service support, continuing to strengthen the reliable partnership.
(Reported by Elena Strekalova, Product Manager of DIGI Technologies Co., Ltd.)
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Report from Greece
DIGI selected as supplier of scales at Carrefour stores in 2007
Peter Charagionis, Managing Director of Chronografiki S.A., brought Teraoka Seiko Tokyo Japan a new-year's present on January 2, 2007, the good news that DIGI was chosen as the supplier of scales for Carrefour Greece's operating stores in 2007.
From the DIGI range of SM scales, Carrefour Greece selected the SM-100 PLUS Series in Bench, Pole, Self-Service, and Hanging versions, a total of about 275 scales.
DIGI feels very proud to know that DIGI was chosen again by Carrefour Greece, a member of the giant global retailer Carrefour group.
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Report from China
New launch of RM-50 in Cheng Du Province, led by a young force
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| Miss Echo. Wong holding a RM-50 |
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| RM-40 in operation |
I joined the DIGI sales team on July 5, 2002, after graduating from the university and have since learned the DIGI sales concept. This concept has helped me grow from a student to a real sales person.
When I started working for DIGI, the RM-40 was just being introduced into our local market. I visited with my colleagues all around the city to introduce this new product. To help the customers make a quick decision, we brought the machine with us and visited the customers one by one. As the result of our efforts, the RM-40 is now seen throughout all regions of the Cheng Du province.
Now, RM-40 is common in all kind of shops such as fish, butcher, vegetable and fruit, candy and bakery. Market share has reached 80%. RM-40 is enjoying a very good reputation around the Cheng Du province.
In my career as a DIGI sales person, I have learned what is most important for sales. It is to provide the customers with good service before and after sales. "Think what our customers think, supply what our customers need". This is the basic concept for making good sales. Now we are introducing RM-50 into our market, which has more competitive functions. I will continue doing my best to successfully enter the market with this new model and believe more and more customers will be choosing our products in the near future.
(Reported by Miss Echo.Wong, Cheng Du, China)
Mitsunori Nakamura (Teraoka Seiko Co., Ltd.) introducing Miss Echo.Wong.
Ms. Echo.Wong is responsible for the sales of RM-40 in Cheng Du Province and has sold 1,600 units of RM-40 in the 4 years since she joined DIGI at the age of 20. She says "RM-40 is not just a scale, it is a Cash Management tool for the store, and this is the reason why the customers buy it. Weighing is only one of the functions within RM-40." If you visit the ancient city of Cheng Du, you will see DIGI everywhere, not only RM-40 but other SM models as well. One person can make a difference! That person is Echo. Thanks to Echo, we can count on wonderful sales results in the future from her and her sales team.
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