Alstom Automation
March 2000
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Port Elizabeth's division of Alstom Automation is growing rapidly, along with the regional economy.
Alstom Automation covers the entire spectrum of factory automation. By integrating shopfloor automation with the business systems, Alstom offers a total solution to its clients.
The division's turnover has increased by more than 100% over the past two years, says Director Michael Broek.
Current multimillion rand contracts include the optimisation of vehicle flow at the heart of the Volkswagen plant, the implementation of automatic paint application machines also at VWSA and the electrical installation of the new paint shop at East London-based Daimler Chrysler South Africa.
'Alstom Automation has close technical links with Alstom in Frankfurt, Germany. This linkage has brought international, state-of-the-art technology to the Eastern Cape.'Together with the rest of the Alstom group, the local branch has received ISO 9000 certification as a result of the company's focus on quality.
Alstom Automation's extensive experience lies in designing and engineering automotive-related solutions in the industrial market.
"We solve problems," says Broek. "We are particularly proud of our tracking systems, but our business is to provide appropriate solutions to technical problems. We make complicated production processes more transparent and the products more traceable.
"Usually our clients come to us with the results that they would like to achieve. We analyse their business and propose a South African solution. Sometimes this may only require a small modification, while at other times we are required to redesign their entire systems."
Alstom says that its track and trace solutions are unique in South Africa and beneficial to manufacturers working to ISO 9000 standards.
"Our solutions allow for full traceability of any particular component," explains Broek.
"If a customer has a manufacture-related problem with his car, for instance, the manufacturer can request the complete genealogy of the unit through every step of production. This enables the manufacturer to identify when and where the problem occurred."
Alstom worldwide is among the leading suppliers for international infrastructure markets. From a solid and competitive position, based on more than a century of experience, the company has built a strong reputation for profitability, innovation and flexibility.
The Port Elizabeth branch was set up in 1994 in the traditional heartland of the automotive industry to provide turnkey system solutions for local motor manufacturers and their suppliers.
In recent years, Alstom Automation has been broadening its focus to include general industry.
Further reading:
Why integration defines the next competitive edge in pulp and paper
System Integration & Control Systems Design
ABB’s Arvin Ramjee argues that fragmented automation, assembled from different suppliers at different stages of a plant’s lifecycle has become one of the pulp and paper industry’s most overlooked commercial risks, and that true integration, rather than surface-level connectivity, is what delivers measurable business value.
Read more...
Integrated automation enhances water treatment at dairy facility
Process Dynamics
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Process Dynamics delivered the electrical, instrumentation, control and automation integration for an advanced water treatment and reverse osmosis system at a major South African dairy processing facility, achieving a 50% reduction in the client’s water utility costs.
Read more...
Intelligent process control is reshaping cement production in Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Advanced process control, predictive analytics and automation are helping African cement producers cut energy use and stabilise output as they contend with rising electricity costs and tighter margins.
Read more...
Schneider Electric’s Alliance Programme turns system integrators into trusted technology partners
Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
: Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Programme is helping system integrators across Africa move beyond one-off projects and build the skills and service models needed to become long-term industrial technology partners.
Read more...
Process Dynamics – Integrated Automation for Dairy Water Treatment
Process Dynamics
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Project and industry
Process Dynamics delivered the electrical, instrumentation, control and automation integration for an advanced water treatment and Reverse Osmosis (RO) system at one of South Africa’s
...
Read more...
New SI programme strengthens Schneider Electric’s partner ecosystem
Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s SI Energise 2.0 programme offers system integrators a competency-based framework to develop deeper expertise in EcoStruxure and AVEVA software, enabling them to deliver full-lifecycle industrial automation solutions.
Read more...
AI and smart solutions for underground proximity detection systems
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Booyco Electronics explains why fitting proximity detection systems underground is far more complex than installing sensors, and how integration, data and intelligent analytics are helping mines manage the challenge.
Read more...
Why cloud-ready BMS is reshaping building operations
Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Smart sensors and non-contact radar are reshaping industrial measurement, feeding connected platforms that predict failures before they happen.
Read more...
Flotation system modernisation for a gold processing and mineral recovery plant.
Moore Process Controls
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Moore Process Controls has successfully modernised a gold processing plant's flotation control system, replacing obsolete I/O hardware with Schneider Electric's latest M580 X80 platform.
Read more...
Project and industry
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Transforming crushing plant operations through integrated automation.
Controlgear Instramac was engaged to deliver the electrical control and automation systems for a new crushing plant within the
...
Read more...
printer friendly version