Case Study: LaBarge Coating achieves bulletproof, wide‑area logistics tracking and reduced supply‑chain costs with RUCKUS Networks

Bulletproof Wi-Fi for Logistics Tracking in the Industrial Manufacturing Industry

LaBarge Coating, a large, privately held pipe‑coating company serving the oil and gas industry with multiple plants and hundreds of acres of yard space, faced a logistical challenge: reliably tracking inventory with Intermec handheld scanners across sprawling, harsh environments. Early tests with vendor Wi‑Fi and a Cisco mesh failed to deliver dependable coverage or predictable performance for constantly moving handheld devices, threatening the effectiveness of their supply‑chain tracking system.

LaBarge deployed Ruckus ZoneFlex APs with SmartMesh (plus ZoneDirector controller and 7731 point‑to‑point bridges) and powered remote nodes with low‑draw solar PoE. The solution delivered “bulletproof” wireless coverage across warehouses and 100‑acre yards, higher throughput, self‑healing mesh reliability, reduced wiring and power costs, and improved inventory accuracy and customer service — enabling LaBarge to scale its supply‑chain tracking and differentiate its offerings.

LaBarge Coating

Kent Rustad

President