Product category:
Mid-range and Large PLCs
News Release from: Rockwell Automation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 06 July 2004
Package deal shows first fruits
Rockwell Automation has signed a long-term trading agreement with leading packaging machinery designers and manufacturers Sandiacre Packaging Machinery and Rose Forgrove.
Rockwell Automation has signed a long-term trading agreement for the development and supply of control systems with leading packaging machinery designers and manufacturers Sandiacre Packaging Machinery and Rose Forgrove Sandiacre Packaging Machinery and Rose Forgrove are part of Molins Packaging Machinery
Between them, the Nottingham-based companies have over 130 years' experience and an impressive track record in the packaging industry.
Sandiacre has a long association with Rockwell Automation, and the two companies have worked closely to develop advanced control systems for Sandiacre's extensive range of standard and bespoke vertical form, fill and seal machinery.
To ensure its packaging machines benefit from the latest controls technology, Sandiacre is an early adopter of new Rockwell Automation systems, and the company was among the first users of the latest Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC when it was launched.
Now, this relationship has been formalised with an agreement to pool the packaging knowledge and experience of Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove with the controls expertise of Rockwell Automation and its UK distributor Routeco.
Under the agreement, Rockwell Automation and Routeco will become the major supplier of control systems for existing Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove packaging machinery including the entire range flow wrappers.
Consolidating the majority of its purchasing with a single supplier will enable Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove to substantially reduce their purchasing costs.
Routeco will also provide kits including all the 500-600 electrical products required to build complete control systems for each machine pre-assembled and palletised direct to the factory floor within 48 hours of receiving an order.
This will reduce Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove's inventory costs and guarantee the availability of all the components required to complete every machine's control system.
Rockwell Automation engineers work closely with Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove on the design of state of the art controls systems for their new and innovative machines.
This includes the continuing control system standardisation based upon Rockwell Automation's Logix platform, the new PanelView Plus HMI's and Kinetix 6000 servo drives.
Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove packaging machinery is supplied to food and consumer goods manufacturers in the UK and overseas, and Rockwell Automation's global support network provides the reassurance of first class spares and technical back up anywhere in the world.
The agreement will enable Sandiacre Packaging Machinery and Rose Forgrove to maintain and improve their leading position in the highly competitive packaging machinery industry by reducing costs, increasing reliability of supply and ensuring their machines benefit for the very latest in controls technology.
"The timing of this agreement is perfect and it is already bearing fruit with the launch of our latest packaging machinery", said Stephen Saunders, Managing Director of Sandiacre and Rose Forgrove.
"Our strong relationship with Rockwell Automation assisted greatly with the development of these advanced new machines".
Sandiacre used the TOTAL packaging exhibition at Birmingham's NEC to launch the TG250-RC, a highly advanced reciprocating motion vertical form, fill and seal machine, and Rose Forgrove launched its latest Minerva Flowpak flowrapper machine at the Pack Expo show in Las Vegas.
Both new machine use a range of Allen-Bradley controls including ControlLogix PLCs to provide users with the latest in advanced control and diagnostics to maximise performance whilst simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime.
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