RFID application within product life cycle of industrial textile & apparels

Abstract:
Professional textiles and apparels for industry, public services or hospitality are characterized by their long value chains and their long useful life as individualized products in a closed service loop. Industrial laundries play a key role and are tempted to provide a full service which needs to integrate most of the key Supply Chain Management activities of a forward and service logistics. RFID as an enabling technology could foster the process of integration and provide additional value to the customer. This paper provides insight into the adoption status of RFID application by considering the whole lifecycle processes of industrial apparels. The multi case study analysis taken from published literature identified technical and organizational divergences. The paper illustrates the technical and organizational challenges to proceed in life cycle logistics.