Intelligent labels | Avery Dennison

Our teams - Avery Dennison — Exploring new countries and cultures comes naturally to Tony Fazhev. The traits that have helped him succeed while moving from place to place, like a willingness to embrace new experiences, think outside the box and take challenges in stride, allow him to thrive in the world of intelligent labels.

You’ve lived all over, but where are you from?

I’m originally from Bulgaria, but I spent time in Austria and the Czech Republic during university and I also lived in the UK for a while. Eventually, I applied to Avery Dennison while I was back home and then I came over to the Netherlands to start my new job and life.

That’s quite a journey – how did you find your role at Avery Dennison?

After university, I wanted to have an international job, travel and be exposed to different teams and different projects. These were the criteria that I used to search for a company, and that’s how I ended up in the European Graduate Program at Avery Dennison in 2016.

I wanted to have an international job, travel and be exposed to different teams and different projects...and that’s how I ended up in the Early Career Program at Avery Dennison

At the time, I had about one year of work experience. That was right on the border of the requirements for the program, so I applied and a few months later, I came for an assessment at our headquarters in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands.

How do you find the courage to try new things and take a chance?

Part of the fun is stepping into the unknown. I really look out for adventure, and to some extent, it’s definitely scary when you're going to a different country and don't know anybody. But that’s part of the experience.

Do you have any advice for people on adapting to new countries and cultures?

Yeah, I have loads of advice! But I’ll start with something simple, which I didn't follow myself in the beginning. Before you go somewhere new, just do a bit of cultural research so that you don’t arrive in the country and then realize that you don’t know anything about it.

At Avery Dennison, you’re part of the smart labels team. What made you interested in RFID technology and the world of digitally-connected labels in the first place?

Before I applied to Avery Dennison, I was reading about the company to learn more about it. The intelligent labels side seemed quite interesting because they have electronic components and are much more technical, and I specialized in mechatronics during my last semester in university.

The intelligent labels side seemed quite interesting because they have electronic components and are much more technical, and I specialized in mechatronics during my last semester in university.

But at the end of the day, it was also a bit of luck, because once you are accepted into the Early Career Program, you’re assigned to a team and a portfolio, and I was placed in this department by chance. It worked out great though, and I am very thankful, because it has been a wonderful journey so far.

How do you think technology is going to change the future of the label industry?

I think intelligent labels are truly going to change the game for the labeling industry. I see more and more need for systems to function autonomously, and we're using labels to exchange information between different systems and between consumers. In a few years, I think labels that work with the Internet of Things and give objects a digital identity will be incredibly important for the industry. So will intelligent labels that reduce waste and promote sustainability.

In a few years, I think labels that work with the Internet of Things and give objects a digital identity will be incredibly important for the industry.

For example, for a power tool like a drill, you can scan an intelligent label and see videos on how to use it and how to dispose of it. You can also get information on your warranty and learn how to fix any problems you might have with it. It makes everything so much easier for the consumer. I really think that’s the way forward.

Sustainability is really important at Avery Dennison. Can you tell us about the role that it plays in your position?

Intelligent labels are very unique and high-tech. They make us look at sustainability from a different perspective, and RFID inlays can actually enable sustainability down the value chain.

For example, when people buy a product, they can use an intelligent label to find the best way to recycle it. You could put one inside a pair of jeans or a jacket to help people figure out where to donate it after they’re finished with it. Or it could help them learn how to recycle certain items so that they are turned into something new and stay out of the landfill.

And finally, how do you define success at work?

For me personally, I define it by having a good balance between my professional life and personal life. It’s also important that I perform to the best of my abilities at work so I can keep growing in my career while enjoying positive interactions with my colleagues and seeing new projects materialize.

This brings me satisfaction and makes me feel good, and I’ve found that Avery Dennison is really a great place to grow professionally while enjoying balance with friends, hobbies and activities.

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Exploring new countries and cultures comes naturally to Tony Fazhev. The traits that have helped him succeed while moving from place to place, like a willingness to embrace new experiences, think outside the box and take challenges in stride, allow him to thrive in the world of intelligent labels.