Fans to be able to scan PL shirts numbers for ‘bespoke experience’
The Premier League has signed a new official supplier for names, numbers and sleeve badges.
From next season, all official Premier League names, numbers and sleeve badges will be printed and produced by global sportswear branding and labeling manufacturer Avery Dennison.
The agreement places emphasis on technology and sustainability and will see Avery Dennison use printing and robotics technology to increase efficiency and sustainability through reduced waste, using water-based inks and creating a “closed loop” configuration whereby plastics used in application of the product are collected and re-enter the supply chain.
Over 15million Premier League names, numbers and sleeve badges will be produced each year, at a specialist low-carbon facility in western Norway. This factory uses precision laser cuts to reduce waste, before the products are packed by unique automated systems and shipped to club shops and other retailers.
The products will also be embedded with smart digital technology, enabling fans to scan the number on their jerseys with their mobile phones to receive a bespoke Premier League experience.
• • • •
READ: ‘This is year zero’ – Why we’re set to see a revolution in football shirt design
• • • •
Rishi Pardal, Vice President and General Manager of Apparel Solutions at Avery Dennison, says: “Partnering with the Premier League naturally extends our position as a leading supplier of branded and decorative embellishments for retail brands, leagues and clubs in the Team Sport market.
“The Premier League has a strong and ever-growing global presence and we are excited to have the opportunity to support their global growth.”
Richard Masters, Premier League Managing Director, said: “Avery Dennison is clearly a company with a track record in innovation. We were impressed with their plans both in the UK and globally and are looking forward to working with them from next season.”
Avery Dennison recently announced a global supplier deal with FC Barcelona and already supplies several top clubs in La Liga and 90% of Premier League clubs. Additionally, 80% of the teams at the recent World Cup in Russia this summer featured the company’s products.
Avery Dennison’s products include player names, numbers, crests, woven labels, brand protection and specialty trims, establishing it as a leading provider across professional sports leagues, teams, clubs and federations.
• • • •
READ: The ultimate marginal gain? Barca’s shirt numbers ‘improve performance’
• • • •
Michael Colarossi, Vice President of Innovation, Product Line Management and Sustainability at Avery Dennison, said: “Sustainability is part of our DNA at Avery Dennison. Our centre of excellence in Norway is 100% landfill-free and powered almost entirely by hydro-electric power.
“Our heat transfer label technology has led the industry for some time. The Premier League partnership provides an opportunity to bring the latest manufacturing and product technology to an incredibly well-known league, and ensure fans get the best possible experience.”
Nikita Jayasuriya, Global Director and Head of Team Sport at Avery Dennison, said: “The Premier League shares our commitment to sustainability and we are working together to combat single use plastics throughout the supply chain.
“The Premier League is one of the biggest sporting competitions on the planet. It will be incredibly exciting and humbling to see our products displayed on the back of Premier League stars’ shirts on the field every week.”
Avery Dennison has introduced its unique RFID technology to help track products from the point of manufacture to retail outlets, assisting retailers and clubs in managing their stock levels with enhanced speed and efficiency, preventing out of stock situations to help increase sales.
The official Premier League products will be ordered through sport.averydennison.com by distributors and retailers, who will sell in stores worldwide for fans to purchase.
More from Planet Football
‘This is year zero’ – Why we’re set to see a revolution in football shirt design
The ultimate marginal gain? Barca’s shirt numbers ‘improve performance’