On 5 March RET Automation Controls celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1984, the company was the vision of Rodney Topham who identified the expanding need for, and importance of, sensors in the production environment. “This was the time when PLCs were becoming very popular on the factory floor and the need for reliable input data escalated,” says Topham.
The management and staff of RET photographed at the celebration
RET has since not deviated from the sensor market, specialising in products for both factory and process automation.
Since the incorporation, RET has represented Banner Engineering in southern Africa. Banner is a world leader in the design and manufacture of photoelectric, vision and ultrasonic sensors, machine safety products, indicator lights and more recently wireless products. Clients requiring to inspect, measure, indicate or count, rely on Banner’s more than 20 000 products to find the right one for the application.
In 1990 RET became the sole distributor for Turck of Germany. Turck built its business around the inductive proximity switch, a technology it helped to invent. With continuous research and development, Turck has over the years been able to vastly improve the performance and sensing ranges of proximity switches. It also offers an extensive range of equipment for the process industry, including products for flow measurement, temperature measurement and remote I/O. Turck is also active in the area of bus communication and offer products for use on most bus systems.
1997 saw RET enter into an agreement with Kübler of Germany for the marketing and support of its products in South Africa. Kübler specialises in rotary encoders, linear measurement, counters and indicators.
Over the years RET has nurtured a distribution and sales network covering all of South Africa and the neighbouring territories. Its distributors have been hand picked to ensure technical expertise and the ability to recommend the ideal product for the application. On-going training is given to sales engineers, both by RET and its principals to ensure that the salesforce is kept abreast of the latest technologies and application solutions.
“Our mission is to be able to solve the most challenging of sensing applications on the factory floor,” concludes Topham.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Africa Automation Indaba 2026
News
A bold new chapter in Africa’s industrial evolution begins with the launch of the Africa Automation Indaba, set to take place from 13 to 14 May 2026 at the prestigious Radisson Collection Hotel in Cape Town.
Read more...EtherCAT Technology Group holds another Plug Fest
News
Recently, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) once again invited its members to a Plug Fest, this time specifically targeting developers and manufacturers of devices with Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) functionality.
Read more...BMG powers up at Nampo 2025
News
The BMG team was highly prominent at this year’s Nampo agricultural show, held near Bothaville recently. This prestigious event, which is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, is a highlight for manufacturers and suppliers of farming equipment, as well as for farmers, families and the entire community.
Read more...Epiroc rocks youth development programmes
News
Epiroc is not just building equipment - it’s building futures. Through its dynamic internship and learner programmes, the mining equipment and services specialist is shaping South Africa’s next generation of skilled professionals, equipping them with real-world experience, industry knowledge and the confidence to launch successful careers.
Read more...Schneider Electric drives innovation in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has officially launched its first Innovation Hub on the African continent, coinciding with the opening of its new regional headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.
Read more...100 years of safety leadership
News
DEKRA Industrial and its adult-based education and occupational skills training division, the Institute of Learning (IOL) will showcase a milestone at A-OSH 2025, as the company celebrates DEKRA Global’s 100 years of safety leadership.
Read more...Drakenstein Municipality aces Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Impact Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Drakenstein Municipality in the Western Cape has won a Sustainability Impact Award for Schneider Electric’s Anglophone Africa region, shining the spotlight on its unwavering commitment to sustainable leadership and its forward-thinking approach to ensuring a sustainable future for its coming generations.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version