Digital traceability of prefabricated concrete elements with QR code

Digital traceability to secure the tracking of prefabricated elements

In precast concrete, quality control relies on the precise monitoring of each manufacturing stage. CAPREMIB is continuing the digitization of its industrial processes with a traceability system developed with the startup CollabTrace. Deployed on part of its production, this solution is intended to be extended to all of the company's prefabricated products, including columns, beams, and panels.

The system relies on QR code marking integrated into the parts. Accessible throughout the production cycle and up to delivery, it centralizes all manufacturing and control information to guarantee a complete history of each item.

Thirteen quality controls monitored in real time

Each part equipped with the device is now subject to 13 control steps corresponding to defined stop points during manufacturing.

The checks include validation of the reinforcement, verification of the molds, conformity of the concrete, analysis of any defects, and resolution of hold points by the quality control teams. Each validation is digitally recorded to ensure continuous traceability of the operations performed.

"This system allows us not only to monitor quality at any given moment, but also to precisely locate each part on the construction site," explains Marie-Christine Guillemont, Director of Performance and Quality at CAPREMIB.

Customers can directly access the concrete compliance criteria and the quality history of each element via the QR Code integrated into the product leaflet and label.

Improved visibility for site teams and clients

Beyond quality control, the solution facilitates the logistical tracking of prefabricated elements. Locating the parts on the construction site improves their management during delivery and installation operations.

The Quality department also establishes a Completed Works File (DOE) to track each product until its final placement in the structure. This documentation ensures continuity between factory production and on-site implementation.

A digital chain that links production, delivery and invoicing

The traceability system is also used as an operational management tool. The data collected feeds into production monitoring, delivery preparation, and administrative operations.

Delivery notes are automatically generated using the "Chauffeur WebApp" application, while the information is directly linked to the invoicing process. This digital continuity aims to minimize data re-entry and streamline communication between different departments.

Three years of development to generalize traceability

CAPREMIB's Performance and Quality department has been working for three years on the development of this digital traceability.

“Under the supervision of Paul Montagut, Project Manager, the initiative began with an initial test on voussoirs, already enabling the tracking of essential data such as weight and manufacturing date. Today, thanks to these new advancements developed and managed by Stéphane Rocchietti, Product Quality Manager, all products benefit from this advanced traceability, with double validation (production + quality control) for absolute reliability. Our workshop managers, Sébastien Tellier, Christophe Bondon, and their teams are now trained in the use of scanners and smartphones for this digital tracking, which simplifies their daily tasks. The Quality/Laboratory department supports operators throughout the manufacturing process. First, Elliot Quencez, Product Quality Manager, assisted by Chloé Furst, validates all key production steps, including batch-by-batch control for concrete production in our plants.” "On the other hand, Baptiste Millancourt carries out daily tests on the concrete to ensure its conformity," explains Marie-Christine Guillemont.

The use of smartphones and reading terminals now allows production teams and quality controllers to validate the different stages directly on the ground, while ensuring shared monitoring between the workshops, the quality laboratory and the logistics teams.

The gradual expansion of this digital traceability for precast concrete products reflects the evolution of industrial practices towards more precise manufacturing monitoring. For construction companies and project owners alike, the immediate availability of compliance data and component history provides an additional tool for securing operations right up to project delivery.