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The future of warehousing in Asia

E-commerce represents 15 per cent of total retail sales across Asia-Pacific — that is the equivalent to $1.4 trillion US dollars. This figure is expected to more than double by 2021. As a result, warehouses across APAC are rapidly developing and it is easy to see why. Here, John Young, APAC sales director for obsolete parts supplier, EU Automation, discusses the future of warehousing in the region. The Asia-Pacific economy is the fastest growing region in the world and has the largest share of the world’s business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce market. To meet demand and remain competitive, warehouse managers are investing in efficient and ergonomic technology, such as wearables and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Wearable devices include smart glasses, watches and headsets, whereas RFID often comprise of tags and sensors that store data on a circuit or chip, such as a contactless card. Stretched funding Technology has become essential in warehouses and managers are budgeting to invest in and learn more about it. However, by funding new technology, the budget to spend on buying and replacing broken or inefficient machinery and equipment is often cut. As a result, old machinery is often still used beyond its reasonable life, which increases the risk of breakdown. If an older machine breaks, it can often prove difficult to source the correct part to fix it, particularly if it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. However, all is not lost. When an old piece of machinery or equipment fails, obsolete industrial parts suppliers like EU Automation can locate the correct part, saving costs for warehouse managers who don’t have the budget for new equipment. This means facility managers can still spend the budget they want on new technology. Robotic enhancement Similar to wearables and RFID’s, robots have been […]

iSolutions-Range-To-Meet-Taiwan’s-Smart-And-Sustainable-Manufacturing-Needs Asia MN

iSolutions range to meet Taiwan’s manufacturing needs

Leveraging intelligent manufacturing as the key to Taiwan’s economic revitalisation, leading pump manufacturer Grundfos introduced iSolutions – a product range with a focus on digitalisation and connectivity – at this year’s Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS). In line with the government’s ambition to transform Taiwan into a global manufacturing hub by pushing industry adoption of smart machinery, Grundfos showcased a number of machine tool products under its iSolutions range. These products are intuitive and connected solutions that feature intelligent monitoring and adjustment features, which in turn optimise performance of the entire water system. A key product of the iSolutions range is Grundfos’ E-motor, which comes with a built-in frequency converter and sensors that enable the motor to intuitively control pressure from the pump to match the system’s demand, ensuring optimum levels of operation at all times. This drives significant financial and energy efficiencies, in contrast to conventional systems that tend to run at constant speed and pressure throughout their operations, regardless of fluctuating demands. With strengthening competitiveness and sustainability being key to the local machining industry’s projected growth of 8 per cent each year[1], Eric Lai, Grundfos’ Global Business Director, Machining Industry, said, “Grundfos is committed to helping Taiwan achieve its goals for intelligent machinery to enable manufacturers to offer more value-added services at greater productivity and environmentally friendly levels. As a leading pump solutions provider, we seek continuous development and innovation to ensure that each new pump is meeting the evolving needs and challenges of industries locally and regionally. “With pumps accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s electricity consumption, the opportunity to leverage Industry 4.0 to integrate intelligence into pump manufacturing and reduce both financial and environmental costs is unprecedented,” Eric Lai added. According to Grundfos, the potential of intelligent pumps in the iSolutions range can […]

OMAX to join forces with Hypertherm

OMAX Corporation, a manufacturer of abrasive waterjet systems, plans to join forces with Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, following the signing of a definitive merger agreement that establishes OMAX as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hypertherm. Upon the closing of the transaction, expected on or around April 9, OMAX’s industry leading direct drive pumps, software, and applications technologies will combine with Hypertherm’s complementary portfolio of intensifier-based pumps and abrasive recycling systems, to form the industry’s leading waterjet technology offering. “When the late Dr. Olsen and I founded OMAX 25 years ago, our goal was to combine new motion control technology with software to create an abrasive waterjet system unlike anything else on the market. We more than succeeded, creating one of the world’s top waterjet manufacturers,” said John Cheung, co-founder and CEO of OMAX. “Together, we have been planning for the future of OMAX for some time. In planning for this future, we wanted to partner with a company that shared our values and vision. We wanted a company that would protect our culture, provide stability for our employees, and give our customers products and services consistent with our mission statement. Though Dr. Olsen is sadly not here for today’s announcement, I am comforted knowing he completely supported and wanted this for OMAX.” “Hypertherm is excited to welcome OMAX to our family and to bring together the leading waterjet R&D and engineering team in the world with our hardworking and talented waterjet team in Minnesota,” said Hypertherm president and CEO Evan Smith. “We are confident the combination of OMAX’s cutting-edge technology and solutions, innovation focus, strong brand name, commitment to customers, and excellent culture is a perfect complement to Hypertherm’s waterjet offerings and plasma cutting industry leadership position. It enhances our strategy of delivering cutting […]

Siemens acquires noise, vibration and harshness business from Saab Medav

Siemens announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) end-of-line quality testing business of Saab Medav Technologies GmbH, a global provider of state of the art signal processing, communications intelligence and analysis for air, land and naval applications, as well as NVH solutions for industrial quality testing. The unique NVH quality testing solutions offered by Saab Medav have a strong track record and have established innovative best practices in the domain of end-of-line quality testing of combustion engines, transmissions, electric motors and motor driven components and systems. The addition of Saab Medav NVH allows Siemens to complement its Simcenter™ portfolio of testing solutions used in research and development with an integrated solution set for end-of-line NVH quality testing in manufacturing. The technology and team will join the Siemens PLM Software business, part of the Siemens Digital Factory Division, and will be incorporated into the Simcenter portfolio of simulation and testing solutions. With ever-increasing pressure on improving quality, the need for NVH type end-of-line testing for manufactured products such as electric motors, combustion engines, transmissions, axles, and turbo chargers is rapidly increasing across the automotive and transportation industries. This phenomenon is accelerated with the ascent of electric vehicles which have a low general noise level and are lacking the masking effect from a loud combustion engine. “With the integration of Saab Medav NVH quality testing solutions, Siemens customers can gain the ability to enrich the digital twin of their product design with continuous quality control information from manufacturing. This provides unique insight in how production technology and variability in manufacturing lines influence the final product quality,” explains Jan Leuridan, Senior Vice President, Simulation & Test Solutions, Siemens PLM Software. “The technology also gives direct feedback on the root cause analysis of possible design […]

Predicting the future of maintenance

In 1927, Thomas Parnell set up the pitch drop experiment, which examines the viscosity of a tar-like substance by the speed at which it flows from a funnel into a jar. The test has seen just eight drops fall in as many decades and, despite the experiment being displayed in the University of Queensland’s physics department, no one has ever seen a drop fall. Just like this test, the need for factory maintenance often goes unnoticed. Here Gernut van Laak, group automation solutions leader of ABB’s Food and Beverage Program, explains how plant managers can budget for maintenance and ensure optimum efficiency for all processes. Paper to glass In terms of research and development, food and beverage is a leading industry because of its use of new, innovative technology. However, when it comes to maintenance, many companies find themselves keeping paper records. While regulation and compliance requirements historically drove these companies to work with paper, advancements in digital tools mean this is no longer the case. Unfortunately, once paper-based systems are in place, they can be difficult to eradicate. Companies become stuck in their ways, which leads them to ignore the significant cost savings, efficiencies and competitive advantages electronic systems can provide. The most important driving force for a company’s success is its employees. Today’s maintenance engineers have the computing knowledge to make the switch to digital. Providing them with a familiar interface that quickly connects employees across the organization allows staff to work faster and smarter, increasing productivity. Electronic records also eliminate time-consuming and error-prone data entries that are necessary with paper-based systems. While staff are the most important factor of any company’s success, the biggest cost of manual maintenance comes from people. Human errors that occur during manual record-keeping can result in redundant actions, rework and audits. Electronic […]

World-first Konecranes automated RTG system takes Indonesian container terminal Pelindo 111 into the future

Konecranes Automated Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes as installed at Semarang with next-generation automation platform offering major customer efficiency and safety benefits. An innovative container handling terminal in Indonesia has extended the world’s first commercially operated fleet of Konecranes Automated Rubber Tyre Gantry (ARTG) cranes with nine new ARTGs, as it boosts the safety and efficiency of its steadily expanding operations. Terminal Peti Kemas Semarang (TPKS) in Semarang, Central Java, is the second-largest container terminal in the Pelindo III Group, and approximately 70% of its container traffic consists of international cargo. Pelindo III is an Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) that manages 43 ports throughout 7 provinces in Indonesia in order to ensure a smooth flow of goods throughout the archipelago. “TPKS is constantly striving to improve our facilities to meet customer needs and boost our competitiveness. Konecranes is constantly innovating its products to meet container terminal needs, and by choosing them to provide new ARTG cranes, we have taken our operations to the next level of safety and efficiency,” says Mr Recky Julius Uruilal, General Manager, TPKS. “The new ARTG cranes minimize the risk of workplace accidents, which not only improves our workplace, but gives our customers greater confidence in us,” says Mr Recky. A fleet of 20 new ARTG cranes is now fully operational at TPKS – the first ARTG installation in the world to be operated on such a wide commercial scale. The ARTG cranes utilize a next-generation automation platform, including fully automated stacking in the yard, Remote Operating Stations (ROSs) for truck handling and the related container yard infrastructure. “As Pelindo III updates to the latest and most modern equipment in line with the needs of its customers, we know there will be lots of new knowledge to acquire. Konecranes’ neat and detailed documentation, plus their experienced and […]

Johnson Matthey and Lithium Werks sign long-term agreement

Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in science that makes the world cleaner and healthier, has entered into a long-term battery materials supply agreement with energy storage and battery company Lithium Werks. Under the agreement, which will start 1 April 2019 and run for five years, JM will supply its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathode material manufactured at its facility in Changzhou, China. The cathode material is a key component in battery cells produced by Lithium Werks, for a range of applications, including material handling, large motive, maritime and energy storage. Through incorporating JM’s advanced LFP technology into Lithium Werks’ batteries, both companies are excited to work together to support the growing demand from industry and consumers for higher performing energy storage technologies. Commenting on the agreement, Alan Nelson, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Executive of JM’s Battery Materials business said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Lithium Werks to supply our LFP. We look forward to developing our relationship further as JM continues to execute its strategy of break out growth in battery materials.” Commenting on the agreement, T. Joseph Fisher III, Chief Executive Officer, Lithium Werks said: “Having a secure long-term supply of cathode material from a solid supplier such as Johnson Matthey will provide additional certainty to our customers, and enable the transition to clean and sustainable renewable energy.” About Johnson Matthey Johnson Matthey is a global leader in science that enables a cleaner and healthier world. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function and safety of our customers’ products. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low emission transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet’s natural resources. Today more than 14,000 Johnson Matthey […]

Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries Group announces its consolidation

Cryogenic Industries, Inc. and Nikkiso Cryo, Inc., subsidiaries of Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan), announce their functional consolidation as “Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries Group” (the Group). Consisting of Nikkiso Cryo, Inc. (Las Vegas, NV) and Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (Temecula, CA) and its subsidiaries, ACD, LLC, Cosmodyne, LLC, and Cryoquip, LLC, the group will provide innovative equipment and solutions in liquid gases and beyond. The Group’s creation involves the strengthening and development of five functional units of the companies. The Cryogenic Pumps unit aligns ACD’s and Nikkiso Cryo’s lines of pumps. The Cryogenic Process Systems unit incorporates turbo expanders along with LNG and Air Separation plants. The Heat Exchanger Systems unit focuses on cryogenic vaporizers, LNG and industrial gas equipment. The Cryogenic Services unit provides service and support through a broad network of global facilities. A newly created Integrated Cryogenic Solutions unit will allow for centralised management of product and project development across channels and in multiple market segments. Through joint research and innovation, the Group will provide increased engineering and systems solutions for market development. “One key benefit of our new business approach is the capacity to expand our offerings and provide a comprehensive product line for clean energy such as LNG and hydrogen, in addition to our existing line of products for industrial gases. We’re calling this segment our ‘One Clean Energy Group,’” said Peter Wagner, President and CEO of Cryogenic Industries. “We are looking forward to working together with Nikkiso Cryo as Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries Group, with our shared experience, resources and commitment to quality. This will allow us to focus more closely on our customers’ needs, providing individual support, service and solutions.” The functional consolidation will provide the opportunity for a more expansive look at the customer’s product experience and extend the Group’s global reach across increased markets. The […]

tna appoints Matthew Walters to lead African operations

Food processing and packaging solutions provider tna has appointed Matthew Walters as branch manager to head up its African operations. Based in tna’s Johannesburg (South Africa) office, Matthew will be responsible to support food manufacturers across the African continent with tna’s portfolio of cutting-edge equipment, such as fryers, conveyors, seasoning equipment, VFFS packaging systems and end of line solutions. At the same time, Matthew will be tasked with driving the sales of tna’s confectionery processing solutions, including its range of kitchens, starch moulding and finishing equipment, while helping to further develop tna’s local service and support team. With a degree in mechanical engineering, Matthew started his career at one of South Africa’s leading FMCG companies, where he was responsible for the successful implementation of a number of high profile projects. His experience in managing projects from start to finish, from strategy development and stakeholder engagement all the way through to installation and commissioning, will be instrumental in supporting tna’s customers with the advanced food processing and packaging technology they need to make the most out of South Africa’s flourishing snacks and confectionery sectors.

CP Kelco announces investment in pectin capacity increase

CP Kelco, a leading global producer of specialty hydrocolloid solutions, announced today it will invest to increase its pectin production capacity at its Limeira, Brazil facility by 10%. This investment will enhance market supply by the end of 2019. “All around the world our customers are creating innovative beverages that require nature-based ingredients. In Asia, for example, we see robust growth in drinking yogurts and low pH protein drinks, in which pectin is an essential ingredient for creating high-quality products,” said Jérôme Béra, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing. “As these markets expand, we are committed to continuing our investments and already have other projects planned to add capacity as needed and in a timely manner to support our customers’ growth aspirations.” As the pectin market grows, industry leader CP Kelco continues to make strides in meeting the demand for nature-based functional ingredients. GENU® Pectin is a specialty ingredient made from citrus peel and used in a wide range of foods, beverages, personal care products and other consumer goods. CP Kelco’s GENU Pectin portfolio includes non-GMO, vegan, and organic compliant products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, CP Kelco is a leading producer of specialty hydrocolloids with offices and facilities across the globe. Featuring an extensive range of hydrocolloid solutions and serving over 100 countries, CP Kelco leverages its capabilities to bring concepts and ideas to real-world products in a broad range of applications. The company’s specialty ingredients touch a wide variety of consumer and household products and industrial applications, tailored to meet the needs of regional consumers. Key product lines are Gellan Gum, Pectin, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Diutan Gum, Carboxymethyl Cellulose, and Microparticulated Whey Protein Concentrate, as well as other unique biopolymers. Visit www.cpkelco.com for more information.

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