Phone: 847.267.9500
Email:
leslie@jmglass.com or natalie@jmglass.com
Bradshaw
International achieves Wal*Mart’s RFID Pilot Compliance
Kitchenware Leader Develops Successful
Electronic Product Code Solution
RANCHO
Bradshaw International and MobileXe Inc., a supply chain consulting and system integrator, together assessed Bradshaw’s operation systems, and developed a strategic technical plan to implement the Wal*Mart pilot solution, thus increasing previous supply chain visibility.
“Last spring, Bradshaw International volunteered to take part in Wal*Mart’s RFID pilot,” said Doug Bradshaw, Chairman of the Board at Bradshaw International. “We needed to learn how to use EPC technology, as our key customers were rapidly embracing it. The Wal*Mart pilot gave us a good reason to move in this direction, and develop the capabilities to comply with RFID,” he said.
Bradshaw designs, manufactures and distributes more than 4,000 different products, ranging from a basic can-opener to high-end bakeware. Bradshaw’s products are found in the aisles of most major retail and grocery store chains. Their products are delivered by container from overseas suppliers, and a single order can range from 20-6,000 cases, making the RFID process difficult to manage.
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Wal*Mart-specific orders from Bradshaw require an order puller
to manage many full pallets as well as individual cases. Bradshaw maintains a classic, high volume LTL
and Truckload distribution center of nearly one million square feet in
“MobileXe worked together with Bradshaw to enhance its existing warehouse location tracking system to support RFID. This would effectively save the cost of a standalone ‘slap and ship’ or middleware solution,” said Jeff Kurschner, president of MobileXe. “Bradshaw also was in the process of updating their warehouse system to support a ‘pick-to-label’ process. Adding EPC tag generation to the case or ASN pallet print process, would verify the tag as part of the pick and wrap process,” he said.
With updated technology well underway, Bradshaw is currently shipping products to one central distribution center, as well as several Wal*Mart pilot stores across the country. The pilot will continue to expand to include six additional distribution centers in June 2005. Bradshaw will be expanding the number of items using RFID as Wal*Mart increases the amount of vendors and stores participating in the pilot.
Although Bradshaw is among the first kitchenware supplier to fund and test the RFID pilot program, competitors are likely to follow, as major retailers including Albertson’s and Target have similar pilot programs set to launch in 2005. MobileXe and Bradshaw will continue to work together on new technology upgrades and the next generation of EPC labeling.
About
Bradshaw International
Bradshaw International,
headquartered in
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About MobileXe Inc.
MobileXe Inc. helps clients develop and adopt rational business strategies to succeed within an event-driven global marketplace. MobileXe’s defines all the components necessary to unlock the benefits of an event-driven manufacturing and supply network. MobileXe integrates Auto-ID, Bar code, RFID and Packaging and Material handling equipment into existing business systems. Vertical industry experience includes aerospace, apparel, automotive, consumer products, defense, electronics, life sciences, pharmaceutical, electronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, electronics and mill products. As experts in compliance for regulated industries that require product visibility, batch and serial traceability in their supplier network, the company has real-world experience with today’s technology, including EPC, RFID and UID. Mobilexe is a founding subscriber to EPCglobal Inc and a member of UCC. For additional information, visit www.mobilexe.com.
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