case studies
Streamlining Steel Logistics with RFID
Company: Leading Stainless Steel Manufacturing Company
Company based in Maharashtra, India, is a globally renowned manufacturer of stainless-steel profiles, exporting to over 80 countries. Operating from multiple manufacturing facilities and warehouses, the company recognized the need to improve logistical efficiency to meet global demands.
Business Challenge:
Steel profile bundles, each weighing approximately 500 kg, were manually tagged with handwritten codes and placed randomly in warehouse stacks. This led to:- Delays in bundle retrieval
- Risk of shipping errors
- Labour-intensive inventory checks (taking up to 12 hours)
- Difficulty in tracking shipment location and history
Objectives of RFID Implementation:
- Real-time location tracking of bundles
- Fast and error-free retrieval
- Prevention of incorrect dispatches
- Reduction in inventory time and labour costs
- Full integration with SAP for accurate dispatch documentation
RFID Solution Deployed:
Viraj implemented an RFID system designed by Vicinity RFID Solutions, using:- Customised UHF RFID tags for bundle-level tagging
- Psion Teklogix UHF Handheld Readers for scanning
- Zone-based tagging across warehouse and yard areas
Each bundle was affixed with an RFID tag carrying a printed serial number. Zones in warehouses were also tagged to map item locations effectively.
Results Achieved:
- Inventory time reduced by 91% (from 12 hours to ~1 hour)
- 20% increase in dispatches
- Rated at top 10 implementation of RFID in the year 2010 by a leading international journal