At Hannover Fair, the A&D Group has presented innovations in the field of human machine interface, microcontrollers, distributed devices, and safety integrated, all of which are based on the totally integrated automation and totally integrated power platforms. For the first time, Siemens presented a field device with an Ethernet link. In time, this is expected to be used in highly complex motion control applications via Ethernet.
"We are increasing our customers' profitability through harmonised industry offers, which contain everything from field devices to connections to the ERP level, from contactors to medium voltage switchgear", Helmut Gierse, A&D's group president said at a press conference jointly held by Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) and Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Groups on 5 March 2002 in Frankfurt. Joergen Ole Haslestad, group president of I&S, stated: "We combine our power of innovation with our industrial expertise to design Industry Suites providing great customer benefits." With standardised and modularised products, systems, and services, Siemens is set to create a win-win situation with its customers and to achieve greater market penetration.
As Haslestad stated, I&S' highlights at the fair included IT solutions and services which, together with products and systems, form a 'network for profitability'. After vertical integration, it is now the horizontal production chain that is gaining in importance and providing potential for the future. In a company's value-added chain this potential is not only related to optimising only individual production stages but entire production processes in line with the specifications and goals of a company and covering the complete life-cycle of plants. This requires a seamless exchange of data between the various stages and automation islands of production on the one hand, and optimal management of the entire production process on the other. "Ultimately, only this network can exploit the potential for productivity which industry requires to maintain its competitiveness", stressed Haslestad.
The A&D Group, in fiscal 2000/2001, continued its growth in new orders, sales, and profits in its four business fields, ie factory automation, process automation, motion control and drives, low voltage control and installation technology. Compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2000/2001, in the first quarter of 2001/2002 new orders went down by about 1% to approximately Eur 2,4 bn and sales dropped 6% to roughly Eur 2 bn. "With an EBITA of Eur 173m, however, we were able to achieve a very respectable result in view of the general economic situation; our EBITA margin is 8,8%", stated Gierse. "We believe that as an innovative world market leader we will be able to stabilise our figures and our EBITA margin at the first quarter level. In the final analysis this means striving to gain a greater market share whilst remaining profitable, even though we expect the economic situation to recover only towards the end of the year.
This year's Hannover Fair sees the joint appearance of A&D, I&S, and PTD on a 2800 m2 exhibition area in Hall 9, stand A72, where Siemens, as the competent global supplier, showcased its range of components, systems, and industry solutions based on our TIA and TIP platforms. A&D was also part of the joint stands of AS Interface, OPC and PNO at Hannover Fair.
The Siemens Dematic Group, which also uses our platform for its solutions, will be exhibiting in Hall 25, stand B15, and presenting themselves on the night of the first day of the fair.
Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services
The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S), Erlangen, provides tailor-made industrial, service and IT solutions for plant used in the process and manufacturing industries; they cover the complete life-cycle of the plant concerned, from planning to construction, operation, refurbishment, and disposal. I&S employs 30 000 at about 300 locations worldwide, working in the following divisions: metals, mining and paper technologies, infrastructure and marine solutions, oil and gas, intelligent traffic systems, industrial services and IT plant solutions. In fiscal 2001 (to 30 September), I&S earned an EBITA of Eur 97m (Eur 111m in 2000). Sales rose 8% to Eur 4,56 bn. New orders rose 11% to Eur 4,88 bn.
Craig Hudson, Siemens Automation
& Drives
011 652 3688
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