RFID, BLE, IoT & Drones for Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry produces a wide range of goods using leather as the primary material, including apparel, footwear, handbags, and accessories. It involves tanning and treating animal hides to make them durable and flexible for manufacturing. The industry faces challenges such as ethical sourcing and environmental impact but remains in demand, particularly in luxury and fashion markets.

GAO’s RFID, BLE, IoT, and drone technologies have helped its customers in Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry to improve their work processes, their operations and productivity by better management of their staff, materials and operational equipment such as leather apparel manufacturing, equipment like leather cutting machines, sewing machines, and embossing machines are essential. For footwear production, lasting machines, leather molding equipment, and leather sewing machines are commonly used. In the handbag and accessory sub-industry, skiving machines, edge painting machines, and grommet presses are necessary. Additionally, leather dyeing and finishing equipment, buffing machines, and inspection machines are crucial across all sub-industries. These diverse tools enable manufacturers to produce a wide range of leather products efficiently and at different scales of production.

Ranked as a top 10 global RFID supplier and based in New York City and Toronto, GAO RFID Inc offers a wide choice of RFID (radio frequency identification) readers and tags at ultra-high frequency (UHF), high frequency (HF, including NFC) and low frequency (LF), BLE (Low Energy Bluetooth) gateways and beacons, and various RFID and BLE systems such as people tracking, asset tracking, access control, parking control, fleet management, WIP (work in progress), traceability. Such RFID and BLE products and systems, together with its IoT and drone technologies, have been widely used in leather and allied product manufacturing.

Applications & Benefits of GAO’s RFID, BLE, IoT & Drones for Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

To satisfy its customers, GAO’s RFID or RFID Systems for leather and allied product manufacturing are offered in 2 versions. One version is that its software is running on a local server, and another version is that its software runs in the cloud.The cloud server could be GAO’s cloud server, client’s own cloud server or a cloud server from one of the leading cloud server providers such as Amazon Web Services(AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google cloud, IBM Cloud(formerly SoftLayer), Oracle Cloud, RedHat, Heroku, Digital Ocean, CloudFlare, Linode and Rackspace. The above illustrates GAO system for leather and allied product manufacturing with its software running on a local server.

The above illustrates the GAO system for leather and allied product manufacturing with its software running in cloud.

GAO’s RFID technologies and BLE technologies, consisting of RFID readers, RFID tags, BLE gateways, software, cloud services and their systems, have the following applications in leather and allied product manufacturing industry:

Inventory Management: RFID tags can be attached to raw materials, such as leather hides or skins, as well as finished products like bags, shoes, and accessories. This allows for real-time tracking of inventory levels, helping manufacturers maintain optimal stock levels and reduce the risk of stockouts.
Product Authentication and Anti-counterfeiting: RFID tags with unique identifiers can be embedded in high-end leather products to verify their authenticity and protect against counterfeit goods. Customers can use RFID readers or smartphone apps to validate the product’s origin and authenticity.
Quality Control and Traceability: RFID tags enable better traceability throughout the production process. By attaching tags to individual components or semi-finished products, manufacturers can track each item’s history and identify potential quality issues or defects.
Work-in-Process (WIP) Tracking: RFID technology allows for real-time monitoring of goods as they move through various production stages. This helps streamline the manufacturing process and identifies bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
Supply Chain Visibility: RFID can improve visibility in the supply chain by tracking the movement of raw materials and finished products from suppliers to manufacturers and then to retailers or end consumers.

GAO’s drone technologies find the following applications in Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry:

Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Drones can be used for monitoring and optimizing logistics operations within the leather supply chain, helping with the transportation of raw materials or finished products between manufacturing facilities and warehouses.
Inventory Management: Drones equipped with RFID or other tracking technologies can conduct aerial inventory checks, providing real-time visibility of raw materials and products stored in large warehouses.
Environmental Monitoring: Drones can be used to monitor and assess the environmental impact of leather production facilities, helping companies adhere to sustainability and compliance measures.
Security and Surveillance: Drones equipped with cameras can enhance security measures at manufacturing facilities, reducing theft, and unauthorized access.
Precision Agriculture: For leather products derived from animal hides, drones could be used in precision agriculture practices to monitor and manage livestock health and grazing patterns.

GAO’s IoT technologies, consisting of IoT sensors, sensors networks and systems, find the following applications in Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry:

Smart Inventory Management: IoT sensors can be used to monitor inventory levels of raw materials and finished products in real time. This data can help manufacturers optimize stock levels, reduce waste, and prevent stockouts.
Condition Monitoring: IoT sensors can be embedded in machinery and equipment to monitor their performance and health. This enables predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.
Quality Control and Traceability: IoT devices can track and record data throughout the production process, allowing for better traceability and quality control. Manufacturers can identify potential issues or defects in real-time, enhancing product quality.
Energy Efficiency: IoT sensors can be used to monitor energy consumption within the manufacturing facility, identifying opportunities for energy-saving measures and sustainability improvements.
Worker Safety: IoT-enabled wearables can track the movements and health of workers in the manufacturing environment, ensuring their safety and well-being.

GAO Helps Customers Comply with Standards, Mandates & Regulations of Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

GAO RFID Inc. has helped many companies in leather and allied product manufacturing to deploy RFID, BLE, IoT and drone systems and to ensure such deployments complying with the applicable industry standards, mandates, and government regulations:

RFID, BLE, IoT, & Drone Standards & Mandates:

RFID standards related to sub-industry:

ISO 14443
ISO 15693
ISO 18000-6C (EPC Gen2)
ISO 18000-6B
ISO 17363
Data Privacy and Security Standards
Interoperability Guidelines
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Considerations
Industry Best Practices for IoT Implementation
Data Ownership and Consent Requirements
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Regulations
Drone Operator Certification
Drone Registration
Restricted Areas
Flight Restrictions
Retail Industry RFID Tagging Requirements
Healthcare Industry RFID Asset Tracking Requirements
Supply Chain and Logistics RFID Traceability Guidelines.

US. Government Regulations:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Regulations
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations (for leather products that come into contact with food)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regulations (for product labeling and advertising)

Canadian Government Regulations:

Health Canada Regulations (if leather products come into contact with food or are used in medical applications)
Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Regulations
Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) Regulations
Competition Act Regulations (for product labeling and advertising)
Employment Standards Regulations
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations (for handling hazardous materials)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Regulations (for leather products used in food packaging)
Customs and Trade Regulations (for importing and exporting leather and allied products)

GAO’s Software Provides API

GAO’s RFID and BLE software offers a free trial for both the server-based and cloud versions, and offers an API to the important systems in the leather and allied product manufacturing such as:

Personnel Management Applications:

Employee Attendance Tracking
Workforce Scheduling and Shift Management
Training and Skills Development Management
Performance Evaluation and Appraisals
Health and Safety Compliance Monitoring

Equipment Management Applications:

Equipment Maintenance Scheduling
Asset Tracking and Inventory Management
Predictive Maintenance for Machinery
Equipment Utilization Monitoring
Calibration and Quality Control Management

Access Control Applications:

Restricted Area Access Management
Visitor Management and Registration
Biometric Authentication for Secure Access
Time and Attendance Tracking for Workers
Access Control Integration with Security Systems

Warehouse Management Applications:

Inventory Tracking and Real-time Visibility
Order Fulfillment and Picking Optimization
Warehouse Layout and Space Utilization Planning
RFID-enabled Asset Tracking and Management
Inventory Replenishment and Demand Forecasting
Supply Chain Management Applications:
Supplier Relationship Management
Demand and Supply Planning
Track and Trace Capabilities for Products and Materials
Logistics and Transportation Management
Sustainability and Environmental Compliance Monitoring

Other Applications:

Quality Control and Assurance
Product Authentication and Anti-counterfeiting Measures
Customer Engagement and Experience Enhancement
Environmental Monitoring and Compliance
Process Automation and Efficiency Improvement

GAO has enabled its customers to make use of some of leading software and cloud services in Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry. Below are some of popular software and cloud services in Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry.

List of leading commercial software for personnel management, equipment management for Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry

Personnel Management Software:

Workday
ADP Workforce Now
SAP SuccessFactors
Oracle HCM Cloud
BambooHR

Equipment Management Software:

eMaint CMMS
Fiix
UpKeep
Hippo CMMS
Asset Panda

Personnel Management Cloud Services:

Workday
SAP SuccessFactors
BambooHR
ADP Workforce Now
Oracle HCM Cloud

Equipment Management Cloud Services:

eMaint CMMS
Fiix
UpKeep
Hippo CMMS
Asset Panda

Access Control Software:

HID Global’s Velocity Access Control Software
Genetec Security Center
LenelS2 OnGuard
Honeywell’s WIN-PAK Access Control Software
Avigilon Access Control Manager

Warehouse Management Software:

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
Manhattan Associates’ Warehouse Management System (WMS)
JDA Warehouse Management
Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Warehouse Management
High Jump Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Supply Chain Management Software:

SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
Oracle SCM Cloud
Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Supply Chain Management
Kinaxis Rapid Response
Infor Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Access Control Cloud Services:
Brivo
Kisi
Openpath
HID Global’s Velocity Cloud
Genetec ClearID

Warehouse Management Cloud Services:

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) Cloud
Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Warehouse Management Cloud
Manhattan Associates’ Warehouse Management Cloud
HighJump Warehouse Management Cloud
Zebra MotionWorks Warehouse

Supply Chain Management Cloud Services:

SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Cloud
Oracle SCM Cloud
Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Supply Chain Management Cloud
Kinaxis RapidResponse Cloud
Infor Supply Chain Management (SCM) Cloud
Salesforce – for customer relationship management (CRM) and sales automation

Case Studies of RFID Applications

Below are some RFID application cases in leather and allied product manufacturing industry.

Tomorrow’s Leather Goods implemented RFID technology to improve their inventory management and supply chain efficiency. By tagging their leather products with RFID tags, they were able to track the movement of goods within their warehouse, monitor stock levels in real-time, and automate the order fulfillment process. This resulted in reduced inventory holding costs, improved order accuracy, and faster shipping times.

Basic Footwear, a manufacturer of leather shoes, utilized RFID tags to enhance their quality control processes. Each shoe was tagged with a unique RFID tag that contained information about its manufacturing history and quality checkpoints. RFID readers placed at various stages of production enabled automatic data capture, allowing XYZ Footwear to identify any potential quality issues early on and streamline their quality control operations.

Coach, a renowned leather goods manufacturer, implemented UFH RFID technology in its supply chain to improve inventory accuracy and enhance the customer experience. By tagging individual products with RFID labels, Coach gained real-time visibility into stock levels, reduced out-of-stock situations, and enabled faster and more accurate inventory counting.

Roots Canada, a prominent Canadian leather goods retailer, utilized UFH RFID technology to enhance its inventory management processes. By deploying RFID tags on products and implementing RFID readers in stores and warehouses, Roots Canada achieved accurate and efficient inventory tracking, reduced stock discrepancies, and improved overall operational efficiency.

Many applications of RFID by GAO can be found here.

RFID Systems By Industry

Case Studies of IoT Applications

Below are some IoT application cases in leather and allied product manufacturing industry.

Implementing IoT sensors to monitor raw material levels and finished product inventory, enabling real-time tracking and automated reordering processes to optimize supply chain efficiency.

IoT sensors can be placed on manufacturing equipment and machinery to monitor their health and performance, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime.

Quality Control IoT sensors can be used to track product quality parameters during the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent output and identifying defects in real-time.

Environmental Monitoring IoT devices can monitor the manufacturing environment, such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, to ensure the proper conditions for leather processing and product storage.

Asset Tracking RFID or GPS-enabled tags can be used to track the movement of raw materials, semi-finished, and finished products throughout the supply chain, reducing losses and improving logistics.

Energy Efficiency IoT devices can monitor energy consumption within manufacturing facilities, identifying areas of wastage and optimizing energy usage to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.

Worker Safety Wearable IoT devices can be used to monitor worker health and safety conditions, providing alerts in hazardous situations and promoting a safer work environment.

Case Studies of Drone Applications

Below are some drone application cases in leather and allied product manufacturing industry.

Inventory Management Drones can be used to conduct aerial surveys of warehouses and storage facilities, providing real-time updates on inventory levels and facilitating efficient management of raw materials and finished products.

Supply Chain Monitoring Drones equipped with tracking technology can monitor the movement of goods along the supply chain, enhancing transparency and optimizing logistics.

Surveillance and Security Drones can be deployed for security purposes, patrolling manufacturing facilities and monitoring for potential security breaches or unauthorized access.

Environmental Monitoring Drones can survey the manufacturing environment to monitor air quality, temperature, and other environmental factors to ensure optimal conditions for leather processing.

Site Inspections Drones can perform regular inspections of manufacturing sites, identifying maintenance needs, safety hazards, or operational inefficiencies.

Precision Agriculture (for leather raw materials) In the case of leather sourced from animal hides, drones can be used in agriculture to monitor livestock health, manage grazing patterns, and assess the health of pastures.

GAO RFID Systems & Hardware for leather and allied product manufacturing

GAO RFID Inc. offers the largest selection of BLE gateways, BLE beacons, RFID readers, tags, antenna, printers, and integrated RFID systems for various industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)

GAO offers advanced BLE gateways:

BLE Gateway (Receiver)

as well as versatile beacons with such important functions as temperature, humility, vibration and panic button:

BLE Tags / Beacons

GAO’s BLE technology is suitable for many industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID

GAO offers the largest selection of UHF RFID readers for various industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing:

GAO RFID offers the widest choice of UHF RFID tags, labels, badges, wristbands for various industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing:

and an array of antennas to address different applications:

UHF 860 – 960 MHz RFID Antennas

HF (High Frequency), NFC (Near Field Communications) and LF (Low Frequency) RFID

GAO offers the largest selection of HF, NFC, and LF RFID readers for various industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing:

HF, NFC and LF RFID tags, labels, badges, wristbands for various industries, including leather and allied product manufacturing:

and antennas:

GAO also offers RFID printers:

Find Your RFID Printer

Digital I/O adapters:

Find Your I/O Adapter

and relay controllers:

Find Your Relay Controller

For embedded applications, GAO offers UHF, HF and LF RFID reader modules:

The RFID systems by GAO are highly popular for clients in leather and allied product manufacturing:

Physical asset or operational equipment tracking system

Asset Tracking Software

Assets that can be effectively tracked using GAO’s technologies include:

Leather Cutting Machine: Used for precise cutting of leather and other materials used in the manufacturing process.
Skiving Machine: Used to thin the edges of leather pieces for better joining and finishing.
Clicking Press: Used for die-cutting leather components, such as patterns for shoes, handbags, and belts.
Sewing Machine: Specialized sewing machines for stitching leather and other heavy materials.
Lasting Machine: Used in footwear manufacturing to shape and mold the shoe upper to the last.
Embossing Machine: Utilized for adding patterns, logos, or textures to leather products.
Leather Splitting Machine: Used to split leather hides into different thicknesses for various applications.
Leather Edge Painting Machine: Used to apply a finishing coat to the edges of leather items.
Riveting Machine: Used to attach metal hardware, such as buckles and eyelets, to leather products.
Heat Transfer Machine: Used for applying heat transfers or foil prints on leather surfaces.
Sole Press Machine: Used in footwear manufacturing to attach the outsole to the shoe upper.
Molding Machine: Used to shape and mold leather or synthetic materials for specific designs.
Pattern Design Software: Computer programs used for designing patterns and templates for leather products.
Laser Cutting Machine: Utilized for precise and intricate cutting of leather and other materials.

People or workers tracking system:

PERSONNEL TRACKING SOFTWARE

Personnel or people access control system:

ACCESS CONTROL SOFTWARE

Parking or vehicle control system:

PARKING CONTROL SOFTWARE

GAO Has Served Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Extensively

GAO’s products and technologies have helped its customers in the Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry to achieve success in Certainly, here is a List of potential trends and buzzwords in the Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry, Sustainability, Ethical Sourcing, Customization, Personalization, Technology Integration, Circular Economy, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Digital Transformation Collaboration, IoT (Internet of Things), RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), AI (Artificial Intelligence), E-commerce, Circular Fashion, Green Materials, Supply Chain Optimization, Direct-to-Consumer, Omni-Channel, and Industry 4.0

GAO RFID Inc. has deployed RFID, BLE and IoT projects for many companies in sub-industry, including many in its various divisions such as

Footwear Manufacturing: This sub-industry is dedicated to the production of various types of footwear, such as shoes, boots, sandals, and sneakers.
Leather Goods Manufacturing: This division focuses on creating a wide range of leather products, including wallets, belts, handbags, briefcases, and small leather accessories.
Luggage and Travel Goods Manufacturing: This sub-industry specializes in producing luggage sets, travel bags, suitcases, duffel bags, and other travel-related products.
Apparel and Garment Manufacturing: Some companies within the Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Industry may also produce leather apparel, such as jackets, coats, vests, and other clothing items made from leather or leather-like materials.
Automotive Interiors: This sub-industry is involved in manufacturing leather or leather-trimmed components for automotive interiors, such as seats, steering wheels, and gear shift knobs.
Upholstery and Furniture: Some companies within this industry may focus on producing leather upholstery and furniture for both residential and commercial use.
Leather Care and Repair: This division specializes in providing leather care products, restoration, and repair services for various leather items.
Leather Tanning and Processing: This sub-industry is engaged in the processing of raw animal hides and transforming them into usable leather materials.

Here are some of the leading companies in leather and allied product manufacturing industry:

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc.: A global footwear company that designs and manufactures a wide range of branded casual, active, and work footwear.
New Balance Athletics, Inc: Specializes in athletic and lifestyle footwear, known for its performance running shoes.
Coach, Inc. (now part of Tapestry, Inc.): A luxury fashion brand known for its leather goods, including handbags and accessories.
Kate Spade (now part of Tapestry, Inc.): A lifestyle brand specializing in women’s handbags, clothing, and accessories.
Fossil Group, Inc: Offers a wide range of fashion accessories, including watches, handbags, and small leather goods.
Vera Bradley, Inc: Known for its colorful and patterned women’s handbags, luggage, and accessories.
Timberland LLC: Known for its outdoor and work boots, as well as casual footwear and apparel.
Alden Shoe Company: Known for its handcrafted, premium footwear, including classic dress shoes and boots.
Filson: Specializes in rugged outdoor apparel and accessories, including durable leather goods.
Rancourt & Co: Specializes in handcrafted, made-to-order footwear, including loafers and boots.
Quoddy: Offers handmade footwear, including boat shoes and moccasins, using traditional craftsmanship.
Rainbow Sandals: Known for its comfortable and durable leather sandals, manufactured in the U.S.
Levi Strauss & Co: A renowned denim brand known for its jeans and casual wear.
Nike, Inc: A global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment.
Columbia Sportswear Company: Specializes in outdoor apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Pendleton Woolen Mills: Offers high-quality woolen blankets, clothing, and accessories.
Vans, Inc: Known for its skateboarding-inspired footwear and apparel.
The North Face (a subsidiary of VF Corporation): Offers outdoor clothing, equipment, and footwear.
Keen Footwear: Specializes in outdoor and lifestyle footwear and accessories.
Goorin Bros: A hatmaker known for its high-quality and stylish hats.
Frye Company: Offers premium leather boots, shoes, and accessories.
Teva Footwear: Known for its outdoor and water-ready sandals.
Timbuk2 Designs: A brand specializing in durable and customizable messenger bags and backpacks.
Dooney & Bourke: Offers premium leather handbags and accessories.
Canada Goose Inc: Known for its premium outerwear, including parkas, jackets, and accessories, made with high-quality materials like down and fur.
Roots Canada Ltd: A lifestyle brand known for its leather goods, including handbags, wallets, and accessories, as well as casual clothing.
Mackage: Specializes in high-end outerwear, including leather jackets and coats, with a focus on sleek and stylish designs.
Rudsak: Known for its contemporary leather outerwear, handbags, and accessories, with a fusion of fashion and function.
Tilley Endurables Inc: Offers durable outdoor apparel and accessories, including hats made from high-quality materials like cotton and leather.
Crown Cap: Known for its luxury fur and leather hats and accessories, designed for cold weather protection and style.