Beckhoff Automation generated global turnover of €810 million in 2017, an increase of 19% year over year. New products, a larger distribution network, enhanced production capacities and solid growth among Beckhoff customers contributed to these developments. “This was a very successful year for our company. We are pleased that the growth extended across all geographical areas in 2017,” says managing director, Hans Beckhoff. “The robust global economy affected all industries, from general manufacturing systems engineering to building automation.”
Hans Beckhoff.
To accommodate this growth, Beckhoff is significantly increasing its production capacity. For example capacity in primary manufacturing, which includes circuit board assembly, increased by more than 70%. Secondary manufacturing, i.e. final assembly, was also expanded in all product categories. The company has also built a special servomotor production facility at its Marktheidenfeld, Germany location for its Drive Technology division. By producing motor shafts and cases for its servomotors in-house, it can significantly increase its vertical production capabilities.
Beckhoff offers comprehensive automation solutions in various performance categories. With a high level of scalability, the company’s control and drive products can be adapted to a wide range of applications. A major advantage is the fact that the TwinCAT automation software combines all machine functionalities – PLC, motion, robotics, measurement technology, scientific automation, vision, communication, IoT functions and HMI – in a single software package. This delivers a high degree of functionality and enables customers to deploy leading edge technology while keeping costs in check. Beckhoff engineers integrated machine-based vision into the control functionality in the form of TwinCAT Vision software as another functional machine component.
Hans Beckhoff reports that 2018 is already off to a very good start. “In the first quarter we once again posted double digit growth,” he says. “We expect this to remain at a high level. We believe that we are superbly positioned in terms of both technology and distribution.”
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