How Pilkington Brazil Manages 30,000+ Reusable Assets Daily with SmartX HUB
Introduction
Customer Case: PILKINGTON — RTI Supply Chain Management
Pilkington Brazil Automotive, a subsidiary of the NSG Group and global leader in glass manufacturing, operates a windshield production line in Caçapava, near São Paulo. Managing the flow of Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) across their supply chain — from raw material delivery to finished product shipping — was creating inefficiencies that impacted the entire operation. SmartX HUB delivered the automated tracking solution they needed.
The Challenge
Pilkington faced classic RTI management pain points: longer cycle times, fleet shrinkage, supply chain bottlenecks, delayed orders, increased transportation costs, and a lack of accountability between trading partners. Without automated tracking, it was impossible to know exactly where each asset was at any given time.
The Solution
SmartX HUB was deployed with comprehensive RFID infrastructure and SAP integration:
- 1 RFID Middleware managing the entire tracking ecosystem.
- 8+ RFID Gates at receiving, WIP, shipping, and inspection points.
- 4 RFID Handhelds for flexible scanning operations.
- SAP Integration for seamless data flow between the tracking system and enterprise operations.
- 30,000+ assets updated daily with automatic location tracking and inventory balancing.
- Automatic association of where assets are coming from and going to as they pass through dock doors.
Implementation and Results
The implementation of SmartX HUB delivered measurable, transformative results for the company:
- Accurate inbound and outbound asset tracking at dock doors, improving supply chain visibility.
- Enhanced real-time visibility into RTI locations, increasing efficiency and stocking accuracy.
- Confidence in inventory data, significantly reducing lost items and associated costs.
- Automated accountability between trading partners.
Conclusion
Pilkington's SmartX HUB deployment demonstrates how automated RTI tracking transforms supply chain operations. With 30,000+ assets updated daily through RFID gates and SAP integration, managers have complete visibility and control — from receiving to shipping.
For more details on this innovative project and other initiatives, visit our website and stay tuned for more updates on how our customers continues to lead in safety and operational excellence
About us
SmartX HUB delivers intelligent, real-time IoT and RFID solutions that empower organizations across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, oil & gas, and more. By integrating smart technology with deep domain expertise, we help companies enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and make data-driven decisions that improve safety, productivity, and asset performance.
From asset tracking and condition monitoring to workforce safety and supply chain automation, our scalable platform puts visibility and control at the core of every process—supporting sustainable, high-performance operations for the demands of the 21st century.
