The RFID Journal LIVE! 2025 culminated with the 19th annual RFID Journal Awards. The finalists hail from all around the world—including Italy, Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, Turkey, Spain, U.S, U.K., and Canada—that submitted in seven categories.
This year’s entrants submitted to RFID Journal, the leading source of news and in-depth information regarding RFID IoT, NFC, AI and other technologies, featured a wide range of projects. From the complex and large-scale to smaller implementations, the entries demonstrated how RFID and IoT solutions have become the technology of choice for companies with the need to increase visibility in their supply chain, gain operational efficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction.
Best Retail Implementation
C&A took home the award for Best Retail Implementation as the international private-label fashion retailer implemented RFID across all 1,220+ C&A stores in 17 countries as well as in C&A’s Distribution Centers (DC’s). The implementation has enabled the firm to optimize and align customer experience, standardize and simplify processes, provide customer benefits due to increased stock-data accuracy, and ensure merchandise availability and visibility. The two other finalists were Arctic Spa and Carters.
C&A’s Hans Peter Scheidt
Arctic Spa’s Daniel Garcia, Joe Cordeiro and Katie Spark
Carter’s Anna Marie Blackburn and Gina Maddaloni
Best Manufacturing or IIoT Implementation
For the Best Manufacturing or IIoT Implementation, Cummins was the winner. An engine and power supply company, Cummins was recognized for reducing the total amount of packaging waste resulting from manufacturing operations by employing RFID-based Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) for components and products. The two other finalists were Cepheid and Kannegiesser.
Cummins’ Charles Braidich
Kannegiesser’s Larry Erickson and USTEK-RFID’s Imge Ceranoglu,
Cepheid’s Tom Healy
Best Healthcare or Food Implementation
In the Best Healthcare or Food Implementation category, Sentara Health, a not-for-profit healthcare organization, was the winner for its use of RFID at Norfolk General Hospital, a 500-bed facility within a 12-hospital network. Their implementation tracked hazardous compounded medications in their hazardous sterile compounding rooms, as well as compounded medications essential for cardiac procedures, which are fast-moving with a short shelf-life. Their programs resulted in reducing waste, improving patient care, and enhancing staff satisfaction. The two other finalists were Friato and Brigham Young University.
Sentara Health’s Dr. Tyler Wilson and Bluesight’s TJ Bozada
Smartx Technology’s Sergio Lima and Friato’s Rodrigo Bailao
Brigham Young University’s Todd Fluckiger
Best Supply Chain/Logistics Implementation
Maersk, Logistics & Services USA, a logistics and supply chain company, was honored in the Best Supply Chain/Logistics Implementation. Maersk uses an RFID-based drone solution in one of their high-volume, fast-paced warehouses to ensure accurate inventory capabilities, allowing the operational teams to focus on more strategic initiatives, resulting in greater efficiency and service excellence. The two other finalists were Shifflet Brothers Enterprises and Brooks running shoes.
Maersk Logistics & Services USA’s Angelia Tavenner and Varity’s Scott Gibbard
Brooks Running’s Steve LeClerc, Brooks and Sensormatic’s Umesh Cooduvalli,
Best RFID Implementation (Other Industry)
In the Best RFID Implementation (Other Industry) category, the United States Marine Corps came out on top for its development of the Marine Corps Platform Integration Center (MCPIC). The MCPIC is a system that provides asset visibility by enabling equipment inventory tracking through tagging of mission-critical equipment, shortening inventory times from weeks to hours and gaining greater inventory accuracy that saves millions of labor dollars. The two other finalists were Idaho National Lab and Selmark.
United States Marine Corps’ Scott Prouse
SATO’s Stefan Linz accepting for Selmark
Best RFID/IoT/AI Implementation
UPS was recognized for the Best RFID/IoT/AI Implementation. The global shipping, receiving and supply chain management company was honored for its continued deployment of tomorrow’s technology today by enabling UPS Internet Of Things and expanding their use of cutting-edge technologies like digital twins, data analytics, IoT/RFID and generative AI to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
UPS’s Jon Bell, Caleeann Blarr, Shannon Hampton, and Darryl Forbes
Best New Product
Powercast received the award for it wirelessly powered, battery-free RAIN RFID Sensor Tags for data centers. This award is given to the company that exhibits the best new RFID, IoT, NFC, or related technology product or service introduced after April 11, 2024. “It’s exciting to see wireless power take off in the RFID space,” said Eric Biel, Powercast’s Director of Strategic Partnerships. “The potential for wireless power in this space is very exciting. Wireless power won in Vegas but it is not staying in Vegas.”
Powercast’s Alan Neves, Eric Biel, and Ross Petrocelli