Retailer Transforms Supply Chain With RFID

In a move to RFID-enable its complete supply chain, apparel retailer Charles Vogele has implemented a Merchandise Visibility system that will cover point-of-manufacture to point-of-sale, using standard EPC Gen 2 labels. The system, the first standards-based system to RFID-enable a retailer's entire supply chain, will assist retailers in streamlining their supply chains by applying smart tags to apparel merchandise at point-of-manufacture, and reading the tags in all parts of the logistics operations, including in the store. Retailers will be able to improve operations and increase shelf availability at the store by tracking item-level merchandise throughout the facility. Thomas Beckmann, vice president of supply chain operations at Charles Vogele, notes the firm's "logistical challenge" of dealing with approximately 70 million garments sourced annually from more than 400 suppliers and distributed to 34 consolidation hubs throughout Asia and Europe. "Our adoption of RFID has transformed and improved our operations from source to store," Beckmann says. The Merchandise Visibility system was supplied by Checkpoint Systems.Web Link