Ultratainer integrates Sensolus tracking to combine the toughness of steel with the intelligence of IoT, bringing real-time visibility to reusable containers across Canada.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec – October 2025 — On a recent call between Reusable Packaging News and Didier Charbonneau, General Manager of Ultratainer, the Québec-based manufacturer has confirmed that it is now the exclusive Canadian representative for Sensolus, a global leader in industrial-grade IoT tracking solutions.
The partnership introduces the Sensolus asset tracking platform and next-generation hardware to Canadian users for the first time. Ultratainer will combine its long-established expertise in steel and hybrid packaging systems with Sensolus’ cloud-based tracking technology to help customers locate, manage, and optimize the use of their reusable containers.
Ultratainer is known for its rugged steel bins and wire-mesh containers used in a variety of industrial and retail supply chains. By embedding tracking capabilities, the company adds a digital layer to products already prized for durability and reuse. The result is a more complete circular packaging model, where assets can be repaired, reused, and monitored throughout their lifecycle.
“We’ve always focused on durability and reuse,” said Charbonneau. “Now, by pairing our containers with Sensolus technology, we can also offer data and real visibility on what’s happening in the field, when assets arrive, when they leave, and where the gaps are.”
Digital Visibility in Action
Ultratainer’s first Canadian deployment of the Sensolus solution is underway with a national automotive parts distributor that has relied on Ultratainer containers for more than 30 years. The customer operates multiple distribution centers and hundreds of retail locations across Canada, creating a closed-loop logistics network that is both large and complex.
“Over the years they had purchased more than 14,000 containers,” Charbonneau recalled. “But at any given time, only a fraction were showing up in their own counts. The issue wasn’t theft so much as a lack of visibility, not knowing what was sitting where, or how long.”
The pilot program attaches Sensolus trackers to selected Ultratainer units to generate continuous data on container location and dwell time. Using geofencing, the system alerts managers when a container enters or leaves a defined zone, such as a distribution yard or retail site. This allows the customer to see how many containers are in transit, how many are idle, and when inventory is likely to run short or pile up.
Previously, this information was managed through phone calls and Excel spreadsheets — a process that was labor-intensive and prone to error. With the new platform, inventory counts are automatic and data can be accessed from a dashboard or mobile device at any time. “It’s the kind of visibility that eliminates guesswork,” Charbonneau said. “You can see which stores have a surplus, which are short, and plan accordingly before it becomes a problem.”
The improvement is not only operational but financial. By understanding true utilization, the distributor can reduce unnecessary container purchases, limit emergency shipments, and extend the lifespan of existing assets. Ultratainer also provides repair and maintenance services from its Québec facility, ensuring that damaged containers are refurbished and returned to service rather than scrapped.
From Containers to Connected Systems
Charbonneau noted that the Sensolus interface is particularly intuitive. “You can zoom in on your own facility, define your zones, and automatically receive alerts when a container moves,” he said. “It’s easy for anyone to use, but still sophisticated enough for integration with ERP or inventory systems.”
The Sensolus platform was designed for non-powered assets such as reusable packaging, trailers, and containers. The new TRACK 1105 device, launched in September, uses multiple low-power networks (NB-IoT and LTE-M) to ensure reliable connectivity. It is IP69k and IP68 rated for durability, includes embedded condition sensors, and offers up to seven years of battery life.
Unlike many tracking solutions that rely on cellular data plans and complex billing, Sensolus offers a simple annual pricing model. “You buy the trackers, and the platform is included,” said Charbonneau. “No hidden costs, no unpredictable service fees. That aligns with the way we like to do business.”
Charbonneau said the move toward data-enabled packaging reflects a broader shift in customer expectations. “Companies are not only buying containers anymore; they’re buying uptime and information. They want to know where their assets are and how efficiently they’re being used.”
A Circular Approach with Data at Its Core
For Ultratainer, integrating Sensolus tracking reinforces its commitment to circular economy principles. The data supports predictive maintenance, container recovery, and reuse, reducing the number of new units that must be built. It also helps customers measure how well they are meeting sustainability targets by quantifying asset rotation and preventing overcapacity.
By extending proven technology used in Europe — where Sensolus supports major users like Airbus and AB InBev — to North America, the collaboration addresses a growing demand for connected packaging solutions that perform consistently across regions.
The system also enables cross-border visibility between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, an advantage for manufacturers with integrated North American supply networks. “It’s not just about locating bins,” Charbonneau noted. “It’s about understanding flows, where inventory gets stuck, where rotation slows down, and how to make decisions that reduce cost and carbon at the same time.”
For more information, visit www.ultratainer.com.
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Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
