Led by Kevin Berisso, the lab is designed to bring new RFID capabilities into focus for industry leaders. As Berisso describes, it’s "a 4,000 square foot space equipped with cutting-edge technology, providing a neutral space where logistics companies can see RFID and sensor technologies in action”. Unlike other facilities, this lab allows industry partners to test and refine solutions without the usual disruptions to their operations. "We can make those changes in the lab, have those ‘let’s try it anyway’ moments, that will lead to the next great inventions,” Berisso explains, highlighting the lab’s role in experimentation and innovation.
Showcasing Applied RFID Sensor Technology
Avery Dennison’s RFID solutions extend beyond typical barcodes and bring real-time insights to supply chains. In collaboration with the University of Memphis, the lab demonstrates how intelligent, RFID-enabled labels can help logistics companies monitor packages from the moment they’re picked up to final delivery. Avery Dennison’s Sr. Director of Key Account Logistics, Rusty Redecker, emphasizes the advantages of this technology: "If every package had a brain, we’d have significant visibility and efficiency”. In the lab a full scale demonstration shows how data generated by these RFID labels enables automation, optimized routing, and enhanced labor efficiencies.
The lab also explores the role of digital twins—virtual models that mirror the condition and status of physical assets. With RFID-driven digital twins, companies can verify asset identity and location, ensuring that each container, vehicle, or package is in the right place at the right time. This level of detail allows logistics providers to make agile, informed decisions based on real-time data.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
The partnership with the University of Memphis is as much about developing future industry leaders as it is about advancing solutions. The lab provides an invaluable training ground for students who will shape the future of logistics. For these students, the lab represents a real-world space to experience advanced technology and see its immediate impact. Dr. Bill Hardgrave, President of the University of Memphis and an early pioneer in RFID, emphasizes that the lab is essential for connecting academia with industry. "It’s where the magic happens," he says, "when you have that intersection of real-world application and academic research."
