Symbol RFID System Keeps Pacific Cycle Rolling Through Supply Chain
2005-3-2 DALLAS - RFID World, Booth #719
Leading Bike Manufacturer and Distributor Uses Symbol RFID Solution to Maximize Visibility, Efficiency
Symbol Technologies, Inc. , The Enterprise Mobility Company™, today announced that Pacific Cycle Inc., a leader in designing and distributing high quality
bicycles and other recreational products, has successfully deployed Symbol RFID (radio frequency identification) mobile computers and tags to track its bicycles as they move from its
distribution centers to the backrooms of the nation's leading retailers. Pacific Cycle will use the Symbol MC9000-G with RFID, a versatile, rugged mobile computer that combines RFID capabilities, bar
code reading, imaging, and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as Symbol's fixed RFID readers (Symbol AR400 series) and EPC Class 0 read/write tags.
"The Symbol RFID solution gives us unparalleled visibility for our products throughout the supply chain," said Ed Matthews, information systems director of Pacific Cycle. "We have experienced
near-perfect read rates with Symbol's RFID readers and tags, far surpassing the results of other equipment we tried. And Symbol's ability to go beyond our needs has made our experience with RFID
one that we're looking forward to building on as the technology matures."
Pacific Cycle markets products under a range of brands, including Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, Roadmaster, Pacific, Dyno, InSTEP and Pacific Outdoors.
"RFID technology is clearly the future of retail supply chain tracking and Pacific Cycle has clearly taken a lead in this application," said Phil Lazo, general manager and vice president of RFID
marketing, Symbol Technologies, Inc. "As major retailers begin to employ the speed, reliability and efficiency of RFID, suppliers are realizing benefits that the technology can bring to the bottom
line."
The focus of RFID as a retail application is currently on "the supply chain to the store backroom," which includes tagging pallets, cartons and reusable containers to track the movement of goods
throughout the distribution system. Users are just beginning to assess the impact of tagging individual items on the retail sales floor.
Matthews added, "We anticipate that RFID will not only enable us to monitor our bikes in real time as they move from manufacturing to retail inventory, but will give us an accurate picture of
what's out there on the floor at any given moment. That will mean higher shipment accuracy, a reduction in our inventory and lower labor costs - it will revolutionize the way we do business."
Pacific Cycle Inc., a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: DIIB; TSX: DII.MV, DII.SV), is the leading supplier of quality bicycles in North America. The company designs, markets and imports a
full range of bicycles and recreation products under the Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Pacific, InSTEP, Pacific Outdoors, Roadmaster and Dyno brand names. Pacific Cycle is headquartered in Madison,
Wisconsin with offices in Olney, Illinois and Lake Forest, California. The company has distribution centers in Olney, Illinois, and Vacaville, California.
About Dorel
Dorel is a global consumer products company which designs, manufactures or sources, markets and distributes a diverse portfolio of powerful product brands, marketed through its Juvenile, Home
Furnishings, and Recreational/Leisure segments. US operations include the Dorel Juvenile Group USA, which incorporates the Cosco and Safety 1st brands; Ameriwood Industries, Cosco Home &
Office; and Pacific Cycle, which includes the Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, InSTEP and Roadmaster brands. In Canada, Dorel operates Dorel Juvenile Group Canada, Ridgewood Industries and Dorel Home
Products. The Dorel Juvenile Group Europe carries out activities throughout Europe, under the Maxi-Cosi, Quinny, Safety 1st, Bébé Confort, Babidéal, MonBébé and Baby Relax brands. Dorel Asia
sources and imports home furnishings. Dorel employs approximately 5,000 people in fourteen countries.
