DCSOLUTIONS [ IN PRACTICE ]
Inventory Tracking Solution a High-Flying Success
The meteoric rise of On, a Swiss sportswear brand, started with a shoe. But not just any shoe. The company’s signature product, with its unique cushioning system and distinctive sole design, has attracted serious runners and casual wearers around the world. Since launching its premium footwear line 14 years ago, On has expanded offerings to include apparel and accessories.
THE CUSTOMER On is an athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Founded in 2010, the high- performance sportswear brand has fast become a global entity with 52 branded stores and 10,000 dealers in more than 60 countries. Its workforce includes more than 2,800 individuals. THE PROVIDER Verity, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland with oces in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a developer of autonomous indoor drone systems. Founded in 2014, this pioneering AI and robotics company currently delivers AI-powered mobile intelligence in 13 countries and counts 160 employees within its ranks. by June Allan Corrigan
advancement, On soon forged a partnership with Verity, an AI and robotics company. Since On and Verity are both
The company is on a fast course. In a bid to optimize inventory management and ultimately enhance supply chain ef ciency and precision, On recently joined forces with Verity, an AI and robotics company, to deploy fully autonomous drones in its warehouses. On’s phenomenal growth shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, the company recorded revenue of 1.8 billion Swiss Francs ($2 billion), a 55% increase that signi cantly exceeded expectations set at the beginning of the year. As sales racked up, On researched methods to improve supply chain execution and meet demand. “We needed a solution for automatic inventory tracking that could help us boost productivity, minimize stock accuracy issues, and prevent loss of goods,” explains Erinda Lala, an On senior warehouse technologies specialist. On was also looking for a solution that was easy and quick to implement, with low installation costs and exibility to accommodate its ongoing growth. Open to embracing every technological
headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and their of ces lie in close proximity to one another, it was natural for the two companies to become acquainted. Verity’s reputation and expertise in AI and robotics impressed the sportswear brand. INITIAL TAKEOFF In February 2024, the two companies embarked on a project whereby eets of Verity’s fully autonomous drones were deployed in an On warehouse to enable full operational visibility through smart, real-time inventory tracking. “We opted to kick off the project by implementing a pilot solution in one of our largest U.S. warehouses,” says Lala. Globally, On has warehouses in 12 countries as diverse as Japan, China, Australia, Belgium, the UK, Brazil, and Canada. It has two facilities in the United States.
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