B&H Worldwide implements AI tyre scanning tech
Image courtesy B&H Worldwide
The initiative, integrated directly into the company’s proprietary FirstTRAC platform, marks a significant leap forward in operational efficiency, boasting a 60% reduction in inventory processing times.
As aerospace supply chains face increasing complexity and more stringent compliance demands, B&H Worldwide’s New Zealand station was selected as the global pilot site for this digital transformation. The solution replaces traditional, manual data entry with a mobile-based scanning SDK that utilises computer vision and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to instantly capture critical tyre data.
Prior to this rollout, tyre logistics relied heavily on manual intervention, which carried inherent risks of human error and delayed reporting. The new system allows staff to use smartphones or tablets as high-performance scanners, capable of reading both standard barcodes and complex tyre serial numbers directly from the sidewall.
The impact on operational metrics has been immediate and measurable:
- Processing Efficiency: Inventory handling time has dropped from an average of four minutes per unit to just one minute, achieving a 60% improvement.
- Precision: Error rates have been slashed by 80-90%, with data accuracy now exceeding 99%.
- Productivity: Overall units processed per hour have increased by approximately 30%.
Integration with FirstTRAC
The technology is fully embedded within B&H Worldwide’s FirstTRAC WMS platform through a dual-integration approach developed by the IT team. By utilising the Anyline Mobile SDK (via the React Native Plugin for the FirstTRAC Mobile App on iOS and Android) alongside the Anyline Web SDK (integrated via JavaScript for the FirstTRAC web application), the system provides a unified data stream.
This ensures that stock checks, dispatch requests and bulk inventory uploads are updated in real-time, providing customers with unparalleled visibility into their high-value assets.
While the pilot was launched in response to B&H’s internal continuous improvement programme rather than a specific customer mandate, the benefits to its partners, including a leading global tyre manufacturer are substantial.
The system ensures 100% stock integrity for used tyre casing movements and creates a digital audit trail that simplifies regulatory compliance.
Lee Hedges, Branch Manager of B&H Worldwide New Zealand, said: “This implementation represents a significant step forward in how we manage high-value, safety-critical inventory. By introducing real-time tyre scanning, we’ve improved accuracy, speed and traceability across our operations.
For our customers, it means greater visibility, faster reporting and increased confidence in the integrity of their stock. It’s a clear example of how technology can directly enhance service quality and operational excellence.”
The New Zealand pilot serves as the blueprint for a global rollout, with Melbourne, Australia, scheduled as the next site for implementation. This digitisation strategy aligns with B&H Worldwide’s broader commitment to sustainability by reducing paper reliance and minimising the carbon footprint associated with logistical rework and manual reconciliation.
By standardising these processes across its global network, B&H Worldwide looks to reinforce its position as the most technologically advanced logistics partner in the aviation sector.
