Interview with Xerafy partner Holland 1916, the RFID Embed-in-Metal Expert

Interview with Zack Barron, Holland 1916 Sales Director 

What does Holland 1916 predict for the embedded RFID market in 2011?

Zack Barron: “As 2010 came to a close, it became clear that industrial markets have a great need for the embedded style RFID tag. A common denominator for industrial market opportunities is that the requested solution involves an embedded RFID tag that can survive in extreme environments. We are receiving quite a number of inquiries for such embedded RFID products from numerous oil & gas, construction, and mining companies. We are extremely excited about the opportunities that have been surfacing over the last few months and are happy to find that most of these opportunities have a need to tag a substantial number of assets. We believe 2011 will be a break out year for rugged RFID tagging solutions.”

Tell us how RFID has been used in an interesting application you’ve been working on?

ZB: “Another industrial application that we continue to see is the need to RFID enable industrial pipe in order that it can be tracked more efficiently. Pipe is typically exposed to lots of abuse and used in extreme environments; consequently, companies need extremely durable RFID tag carrier solutions.  A common test for any proposed RFID solution is for the end user to beat the tag with a sledge hammer before they are satisfied that the tag is sufficient. While the durability requirement is consistent, what differs from customer to customer is the preferred attachment method. The tag carrier must be customized to fit each customer’s attachment preference be it steel cables, metal banding or even a weld option.“

What do you find most challenging about your business?

ZB:“No doubt the aspect of our business that tests us the most is also what differentiates us from other tag suppliers; we offer customized RFID enabled tagging solutions. Each customer’s application presents its own combination of challenges that need to be dealt with, and rarely is the resolution a simple one. After collaborating with the customer and tapping into our experience from our past projects, we typically offer a tag concept that will not only meet all challenges, but also stay within the customer’s budget. “

About Holland 1916 

Holland 1916 Inc. is a rapidly growing manufacturer of product identification items such as nameplates, industrial RFID carriers, panels, consoles, enclosures, overlays, membrane switches, touch screens and die cast parts for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Our products are typically used to convey brand information, identify a product, provide safety data, communicate operating instructions or serve as the electronic interface. Since 1916, Holland 1916 has served customers, large and small, from a diverse set of industries ranging from oil & gas, to medical, to transportation. Holland's headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in North Kansas City, Mo. For more information visit www.holland1916.com.