International news digest
Rockwell Automation recently supplied FactoryTalk ProductionCentre software to Ryobi Die Casting, a supplier of cast aluminium parts to the automotive market. The system was installed on a new manufacturing line at its Indiana facility in order for Ryobi to meet customer demand for complete serialised part traceability.
Implemented as part of a comprehensive tracking solution, each part is tracked by serial number as it progresses through the plant's 12-station production process. Tracking and documenting the date and time that individual parts were produced aids in verifying that all product specifications have been met and all required production steps completed.
With the tracking system in place Ryobi can now quickly respond to the demands of its customers' requests for production data at short notice.
Lapp Group, a leading cable manufacturer, recently announced that it achieved a consolidated turnover of 680 million Euros for the 2005/06 financial year - an increase of around 13,3% on the previous year's figure. Chairman Andreas Lapp commented that these were the best year-end results in the history of the company. Growth has been attributed to three reasons: the successful Internet sale of products, the increased number of large scale projects and the acquisition of new customers by sales representatives. The first five months of the 2006/07 financial year have been extremely positive for the group and the company anticipates a turnover of 860 million Euros for the current financial year.
Buchi received the coveted red dot design award for its V-700 vacuum pump at a ceremony in the red dot design museum at the Aalto theatre in Essen, Germany. The chemically-resistant and oil-free diaphragm pump is designed for the use with gases and vapors associated with laboratory environments. Outstanding design combined with superior functionality won this product its place in the red dot design museum.
Hardy Instruments, a San Diego-based manufacturer of process weighing, vibration monitoring and tension control solutions, announced its acquisition by Roper Industries. Hardy provides precision weighing, tension control and vibration monitoring equipment.
Roper Industries describes itself as a market-driven, diversified growth company, providing engineered products and solutions for global niche markets, including water, energy, radio frequency, research and medical applications. Hardy Instruments says the process weighing technology provides new opportunities to companies under Roper's Energy Systems and Controls group.
Roper divides its businesses into four groups: Industrial Technology, RF Technology, Energy Systems & Controls, and Scientific & Industrial Imaging. No changes are planned for the Hardy Process Weighing and Tension Control product lines, and all engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales functions are expected to remain in San Diego. The Hardy Vibration Monitoring line reportedly will be distributed through the existing sales channels of Metrix, a subsidiary of Roper Industries.
Rockwell Automation has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pavilion Technologies, a privately-held company that is a leader in advanced process control, production optimisation and environmental compliance solutions for process and hybrid industries.
Pavilion Technologies serves major customers in consumer products, oil and gas, chemicals and other process industries. The company's software products will be integrated into the Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk integrated production and performance suite and the Logix control platform.
Based on powerful predictive modelling software, Pavilion's solutions improve production processes to respond quickly to market demands, continuously reduce costs, consistently achieve quality targets and enhance environmental quality.
Animatics Corporation has announced that record sales and growth has required a move of its California headquarters and US factory into a new 104 000 sq. ft. facility in Santa Clara, California.
Still in central Silicon Valley, the larger facilities will allow Animatics Production to keep pace with the rapidly expanding integrated motor market. Animatics competes in this market with its SmartMotor range of single component motion control systems.
This major expansion is the fifth in the last two years during which Animatics opened a new office in Rochester, NY, acquired two companies and opened one subsidiary in England while also opening two subsidiaries in Germany and a regional office in Tokyo, Japan.
Animatics is a global leader in integrated servos and the expanded facilities are a key ingredient to the company's strategic plan.
Industrial Scientific Corporation, a global leader in gas detection and monitoring instruments, was named the Advanced Manufacturing Category Leader at the Pittsburgh Technology Councils Tech 50 Awards Program. The Program annually recognises the region's leading technology oriented companies in five categories for achievements in growth and innovation.
An independent panel of technology experts evaluated Tech 50 Award nominees headquartered in the Pennsylvania region. The panel based their selections on several criteria including sales growth, employee growth and retention, innovation, and market leadership. In the past year, Industrial Scientific significantly increased sales, customer base and its product offering, while acquiring a major European competitor. The Advanced Manufacturing category encompasses industries that are largely automated and use a high degree of process controls, robotics, advanced IT systems and other automated processes.
Local news digest
Labotec has announced the appointment of Crystal Clear as the exclusive marketing agent for the on-line water quality instrumentation from WTW. Based in Germany with 60 years' technology experience, WTW offers a broad range of on-line water sensing and transmission equipment. The WTW water sensors will complement the range of non-chemical water treatment technology supplied by Crystal Clear. Marketing and process expertise will be provided by Crystal Clear, with Labotec providing service and maintenance support.
Bearing Man, part of Invicta Holdings, has concluded heads of agreement for the acquisition of 85% of Goldquest International Hydraulics, specialists in hydraulic engineering in southern Africa.
Goldquest, formerly known as Vickers Hydraulics, has serviced distributors in South Africa's major industrial sectors for over 50 years. The company, which takes pride in offering a solution based service, rather than simply a parts outlet, has sole distributor rights for leading hydraulic brands like Eaton/Vickers, Marzocchi, Larzep, Pister, Schroeder, EP Italiana, MEGI and Pilan.
Goldquest's Johannesburg head office is supported by branch and warehousing operations in the Cape and Namibia.
Honeywell SA, the process control solutions specialist has been awarded a multimillion rand order by Fluor SA, acting on behalf of the Indeni Refinery in Zambia to supply over 300 pressure transmitters.
All of the units that have wetted diaphragms manufactured from Hastelloy C with stainless steel heads and with NACE bolts. Some units have gold-plated wetted diaphragms for use on hydrogen service. All units are HART protocol enabled and have a SIL2/3 certification, SMART meters have also been fitted to the units.
The differential pressure units are used for flow, level and differential pressure measurements.
The boom in the South African chemicals sector is driving the local automation and control solutions (ACS) market. 2006 was a successful year for the ACS industry, as it grew by huge margins and generated high revenues due to the burgeoning South African economy and growth in the chemical sector.
New analysis from global growth consultancy Frost & Sullivan reveals that the automation and control solutions market in the chemicals sector earned revenues of $18,0 million in 2006 and estimates this to more than double by 2013 to reach $32,9 million.
This is reflected in the strong revenues derived by ACS suppliers from the sector in 2006. Revenues increased at a robust 8,2% as a result of strong retrofit opportunities.
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