FruxBin

Problem Space

Due to the lack of specialized technology, inadequate communication, and outdated food tracking capabilities, distributors are not able to manage their product as efficiently as possible, leading to unnecessary food waste during offloading, storage, and packing in distribution warehouses.

Target Audience

Primarily, this solution is catered toward direct distributors. From our research, we learned that direct distributors sell products directly to a store and they often sell and stock products faster than other distributors, which requires a lot of packing systems to keep up with their needs. For our secondary target audience, we also indirectly service clients of distribution centers such as grocery stores and restaurant owners.

Our Vision

We envision a future where distribution companies will have increased communication, control, safety, and traceability with their product, drastically reducing their environmental impact and decreasing food and supply waste.

The Solution

FruxBin is a sustainable alternative to current packing solutions, it helps warehouses better control & track product in and out of the warehouse, providing them with data to help increase operational efficiency and minimize food waste. FruxBin is comprised of a physical product as well as a digital product in order to offer and integrated approach to warehouse management. 

Key Features

Physical

Made from sustainable and durable materials, that provide insulation to help maintain internal temperature of the Bins. FruxBin is designed to be stacked without any additional packaging, such as plastic wrap, and it’s interlocking design ensures that the Bins cannot tip over and cause damage to produce. This design cuts back time it takes for warehouse employees to pack order using plastic wrap orders, allowing employees to focus on higher-priority tasks. FruxBin also has accessible handles for easy manual movement of the boxes by warehouse employees.

FruxBin has sensor technology that tracks real-time data about produce within the boxes. We are able to monitor temperature using a thermometer, humidity using a hygrometer, and ethylene levels using advanced ethylene gas detectors. FruxBin detects ethylene, which is a gas produced when produce is starting to ripen, the prominence of this gas can increase the rate of ripening of produce. This data is valuable as warehouses are able to have better control, insight, and data around their products to minimize product waste. 

Digital

FruxBin offers a digital solution for distribution centers as well as it’s clients. The digital side, allows for users to access data through a variety of devices tablet, desktop, and mobile. The primary device is through tablets, as many warehouses and clients use tablets within their workflow.

Distributors are able to see real time data visualization about food quality in warehouses and during transportation to clients. They are also able to access more in-depth data surrounding their inventory and the quality status of food within their warehouses. This allows them to have better control over their food and insure product safety for selling. Warehouse managers are able to see what projects their employees are working on as well as the status of them.

By sharing real time data surrounding the produce, FruxBin also increases communication between distributors and clients. Clients are able to go in and see the food quality status of their orders and easily contact their distributor if something goes wrong with their order.

As a bonus, FruxBin has a section within the digital application where clients are able to shop from discounted products that distributors are trying to sell. If a distributor has a product that cannot be sold at full price, rather than throwing it away, they can redirect to clients with a discount. Clients are able to see the quality of that order and contact the distributor if they are interested.