Canadel: a Successful Industrial Transformation Thanks to RFID and AGVs

23 June 2021
Stephan Elliott

For over 40 years, Canadel, a North American leader in dining room furniture, has focused on high-quality artisanal production and an eco-responsible commitment. Faced with the challenges of labor shortages and the expansion of its chair factory, the company made the strategic choice of industrial automation with RFID and AGV to optimize its production.

A Transition to Industry 4.0

to Address Labor Shortages

Canadel’s chair factory, the largest of its six production sites, employs over 200 people. Its various departments, including upholstery, fabric cutting, assembly, and painting, required better logistics management to efficiently route chairs to the right workstations.Previously, these movements were entirely manual, resulting in time losses and an increased risk of errors. With the expansion of facilities, it became imperative to adopt an intelligent automation solution capable of optimizing production flows and freeing employees from repetitive transport tasks.

The Seamless Integration of AGVs and RFID

Canadel adopted a system combining RFID and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), revolutionizing its logistics management:

Intelligent Identification and Traceability: Each chair is equipped with an RFID tag containing an integrated chip. Connected to a central database, it allows instant product identification and transmits necessary instructions to the AGVs.
Automated and Precise Transport: AGVs receive real-time directives and move chairs between different production stations without human intervention.
Error-free Component Association: Thanks to RFID, AGVs not only transport chairs but also their complementary elements (frames, seats, etc.), ensuring confusion-free assembly.

A Positive Impact on Productivity and Employee Satisfaction

Manufacturing automation at Canadel has brought tangible benefits:

Canadel, a Model of Innovation in Industrial Automation

Thanks to Noovelia’s expertise, Canadel has successfully transitioned to Industry 4.0, combining flexibility, precision, and efficiency. This project perfectly illustrates how factory logistics automation can transform a company while strengthening employee engagement and well-being.

Do you want to optimize your production with AGV and RFID solutions? Follow Canadel’s lead and switch to intelligent automation with Noovelia.