Product category:
Pneumatic Actuators, Motors, Accessories
News Release from: Applied Automation (UK) - X-stk Division
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 February 2007
Pneumatic company enters e-commerce
The "x-stk" division of Applied Automation enables the customer to access over 2000 products online all available for next day delivery.
The move into e-commerce by Applied Automation (UK) has been welcomed by Omron Electronics and SMC Pneumatics, who see the move as adding a new dimension to their customer service, component sales and product support This new division of Applied Automation, known as "x-stk", enables the customer to access over 2000 products online all available for next day delivery
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 11 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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At the launch of the site were Steve Bangs (MD of SMC Pneumatics), Marco Calandra (MD of Omron Electronics) and David Rowe (MD from Applied Automation), the three major forces behind the venture, all happy to share their personal thoughts and aspirations for the future of x-stk.
Steve Bangs opened the speeches by stressing the importance of the internet to aid product sourcing and supply and to ensure that core products were available with easy access from the web.
Going on to discuss the SMC business strategy he commented that "Today 30% of the SMC business is through the distribution sales channel, and it is our plan to increase this figure to 50% by 2009".
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"Of course with ventures such as x-stk, allowing quick, simple and helpful product selection for the key pneumatic components, these goals can easily be met".
Next to the podium was Marco Calandra, MD for Omron Electronics, who opened by saying that "UK manufacturing was facing challenging times and that those who were able to offer value added services are sure to succeed".
Continuing on he said "The customers were becoming more discerning about their suppliers, and are looking for those suppliers who can really make a difference to the competitive advantage of their own businesses".
"To this end Omron believe to exploit such potential the supplier has to be focused on what the customer needs and feel that Applied Automation can achieve this with the launch of its x-stk e-commerce business".
David Rowe, the mind behind the x-stk business, discussed the thought process behind the venture and went on to explain the benefits of x-stk in more detail and plans for its development over the coming period.
"The products selected for the site were chosen in order to cover the core of the products used every day in industry, from sensors to cylinders and push buttons to PLCs, ultimately defining a preferred product range".
"Each product chosen for the site has a simple look up, product search feature and detailed product specification".
Another key benefit of the site is the ease of use and the way in which the site pre-empts the selection process by suggesting the various accessories to the components the user is placing in the sales basket.
For example, if the user chooses an M12 inductive proximity switch, the system will prompt the user to add such accessories as a selection of connection cables, or a sensor tester.
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