Henkel

Customer Background
Henkel is a globally leading chemical and consumer goods company with over 140 years of history. Its operations span three key business areas: Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care, and Laundry & Home Care. As a Fortune 500 company, Henkel employs approximately 53,000 people worldwide and owns well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf, and Loctite in both consumer and industrial markets.

In the manufacturing and supply chain sectors, Henkel faces challenges in improving operational efficiency, optimizing inventory management, and enhancing product traceability. With expanding business scales and global operations, traditional material management methods can no longer meet the demand for real-time data visibility and precise inventory control.

Needs Analysis
Through an assessment of Henkel's operational status, we have identified the following core requirements:
1.Inventory Optimization:
Need for real-time, accurate inventory data to reduce discrepancies and stockouts.
2.Supply Chain Visibility: Enhanced traceability of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods across the supply chain.
3.Production Efficiency: Reduction in production line downtime caused by material searching and verification.
4.Anti-Counterfeiting & Compliance: Ensuring product authenticity and meeting industry regulatory requirements.
5.Automated Data Capture: Minimizing manual data entry errors and improving data collection efficiency.
6.Asset Tracking: Effective management of reusable transport containers, pallets, and other assets.

Solution Description
System Architecture
Our RFID solution for Henkel adopts a multi-layer architecture:
1.Data Capture Layer: UHF RFID readers and antennas deployed at warehouse entry/exit points, critical production line nodes, and shipping areas. 2.Network Layer: Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi or wired networks connecting all data capture devices.
3.Data Processing Layer: RFID middleware filters and processes raw data, integrating with ERP/WMS systems.
4.Application Layer: Provides inventory management, asset tracking, data analytics, and reporting functionalities.

Core Components
1.RFID Tags: Item-level tags for high-value raw materials and finished goods. Case/pallet-level tags for bulk tracking. High-temperature/chemical-resistant tags for specialized production environments.
2.Fixed RFID Readers: Portal readers at warehouse entry/exit points. Production line checkpoint readers. Dock door RFID gate systems.
3.Mobile Devices: Industrial-grade RFID handheld terminals. Vehicle-mounted RFID readers (for forklifts).
4.Software Systems:
RFID middleware platform.
Pre-built SAP ERP integration.
Data analytics and visualization dashboards.
Alert and exception management system.

Implementation Highlights
1.Smart Warehouse Management:
Automated recording of inbound, outbound, and internal transfers. Real-time inventory visibility. Smart shelf systems for automatic material location tracking.
2.Production Line Material Synchronization:
Automatic verification of materials against production orders. Real-time consumption tracking at critical workstations. Reduced downtime and material errors.
3.Supply Chain Traceability:
End-to-end traceability from raw materials to finished goods. Automated batch/expiry date management. Rapid root cause analysis for quality issues.
4.Asset Lifecycle Management:
Tracking of reusable transport containers and pallets. Optimized asset utilization and reduced loss. Automated asset movement history recording.

Expected Benefits
Operational Efficiency: 85% reduction in inventory counting time. 70% reduction in material search time. 90% reduction in manual data entry. Inventory Optimization: 99.9% inventory accuracy. 25% improvement in inventory turnover. 60% reduction in stockouts.
Quality & Compliance: Full product lifecycle traceability. 100% counterfeit detection rate. Full compliance with industry regulations.
Cost Savings: 30% reduction in labor costs. 50% reduction in asset loss. 15-20% reduction in overall operational costs.

This solution can be customized for Henkel's different business units and regional requirements, supporting phased implementation to ensure seamless integration with existing systems and minimal business disruption..