From sailmaking heritage to product-level traceability
Founded in 1790 on the Isle of Wight, Ratsey & Lapthorn is recognised as the world’s oldest sailmaker. For more than two centuries, the brand has crafted sails for some of the world’s most iconic vessels, from Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory to America’s Cup challengers. Today, this heritage continues through a new collection of handcrafted canvas and leather accessories inspired by the brand’s archive and long-standing expertise in sail-cloth craftsmanship. For Ratsey & Lapthorn, entering this new chapter was not only about bringing heritage into a contemporary product line. It was also about ensuring that each numbered piece could carry a trusted digital record of its identity, origin, and ownership journey over time. To support this ambition, Ratsey & Lapthorn partnered with Selinko and Toppan to integrate secure NFC technology into its heritage accessory line, creating a discreet digital product identity that protects the product story without compromising the craft.
Invisible NFC technology. Lifetime product identity for Ratsey & Lapthorn.
Challenges
- Everyone involved, including future owners, should have a way to know if they have a genuine Ratsey & Lapthorn product in front of them.
- Each handcrafted and numbered piece should carry its own secure product identity, connecting key product-level information, including collection details, product code, materials, and craftsmanship-related information, to the individual item beyond paper certificates or static product records.
- How to protect the provenance and long-term value of a heritage product designed to be kept, gifted, repaired, resold, or passed on, by keeping key product information connected to the individual item throughout its lifecycle.
- How to place the NFC tag discreetly so it fits the premium design of the bag and does not compromise the materials, finish, or heritage aesthetic.
- How to prepare the brand for future traceability and Digital Product Passport expectations.
Solutions
The combination of a unique digital ID, powered by Selinko’s secure platform, and an encrypted NFC tag engineered by TOPPAN on every product and a brand-owned App portal allows:
- Unequivocal authentication,
- Digital Product Passport access,
- Ownership certificates and transfers,
- Product-level traceability,
- A brand-controlled digital record for each numbered piece.
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Results
- The final product experience is designed to be simple, discreet, and consistent with Ratsey & Lapthorn’s craftsmanship.
- The NFC tag is embedded invisibly into the product, with no external tag, leaving the physical design and aesthetic untouched. The technology remains invisible, while the digital experience is accessible through a simple smartphone scan.
- Through the brand-owned App portal, clients can scan the NFC chip to register their bag, access product information, and keep the ownership record connected to the product over time. When the product is gifted or resold, ownership can be transferred while preserving the product’s trusted digital history.
- The first deployment covers 1,500 products with a secure digital identity, allowing each item to support authentication, ownership transfer, and product-level traceability through one scan.
- For Ratsey & Lapthorn, the product itself becomes the trusted source of information. Each piece can carry its authenticity, product details, and ownership record throughout its lifetime.
- For clients, the result is a more transparent and reassuring ownership experience.
- For Selinko and TOPPAN, the project demonstrates how secure NFC and Digital Product Passport technology can be integrated into luxury and heritage products without compromising design, craft, or customer experience.
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Client Testimonial
“We believe that heritage and innovation can, and must, go hand in hand. With the support of TOPPAN and Selinko, we are not only honoring our legacy but preparing our products and clients for the future of transparency and traceability.”
Jim Hartley, CEO, Ratsey & Lapthorn