Hellmann pioneers in setting up RFID for Sri Lanka’s fashion and apparel industry

Providing a first of its kind in Sri Lanka, Hellmann recently announced setting up of its unique and effective system RFID for the fashion and apparel industries.

Modern automatic storage, conveyor and production systems require the use of identification systems increasingly and require exact localization and tracking of components, from receiving to the finished product. Hellmann Fashion Logistics offers around Auto-ID complete solutions, consisting of consulting, programming and Auto-ID infrastructure, where all information of the product and material flow are linked together effectively.

This technology known as Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, called RFID tag or label, attached to an object, through a reader for the purpose of identifying and tracking the object and will be used for supply chain management in the fashion industry. The RFID label is attached at the garment at production, can be read/traced throughout the entire supply chain and is removed at the point of sale.

• RFID accelerates the processes for the incoming goods and the stocktaking in the shop
• For the very first time the care label, security tag and the EPC-code are combined in only one label and implemented into the product from the very beginning.
• Reduction of textiles losses and therefore an exact inventory
• Reduction of the retail stock by increased visibility
• Shop inventory within 10 minutes with RFID hand-held scanner.
• Shop employees exonerative for more customer service and sales activities
• Cost reduction in their own retail stores

One of Hellmann Fashion Logistics customer GERRY WEBER is using RFID tags for their complete garments and received the coveted ECR Award 2010 in the category “Corporate Cooperation – Supply-Side” together with Hellmann Fashion Logistics and other partners for this innovated project the ECR Award. The prestigious jury awarded GERRY WEBER and their project partners the prize for successfully implementing their innovative “RFID for the Textile Supply Chain” project.

The goal of the winning project was to provide a textile RFID label, combining anti-theft security, manufacturer care information and an Electronic Product Code (EPC), directly into the production process for all of clothing made by the GERRY WEBER International AG brand each year.

In order to achieve a common approach GERRY WEBER is dedicated to using and enforcing EPC Global and GS1 standards. Using RFID to optimize logistics and retail processes.

The new technology, which goes beyond retail security, has led to huge improvements in logistic processes. The Electronic Product Code makes it easier to record both hanging and stacked Gerry Weber garments and improves the transparency in the logistics Chain.

RFID speeds up processes for incoming goods and stocktaking, so store employees are less involved in the process and have more time for customer service. Shrinkage has also gone down. The company has an accurate overview of its stock levels at all times and is able to make adjustments faster and more accurately

Based on the joint project with Gerry Weber, we as Hellmann Fashion Logistics will develop RFID as a strategic logistics concept. Jointly with other experts/suppliers in the RFID-industry, Hellmann is planning to coming out with a complete RFID – plug and play solution.

Hellmann is a pioneer is the global freight and logistics industry and has been providing Sri Lankan industries with innovative solutions in logistics and freight for many years. Hellmann Sri Lanka is a joint venture of Hemas Holdings PLC and Hellmann worldwide GmbH.

Hellmann offers tailor-made solutions that answer to the needs of customers around the world. As a leading international provider of integrated logistics solutions, Hellmann is considered a vital link between industries and trade throughout the world.

The global logistics network of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics operates in 443 branches in 157 countries and employs in excess of 16,500 dedicated people to serve customers worldwide.