How Behrens Metalware benefits from simultaneous robotic ownership and RaaS models

Jan. 23, 2023

Traditionally, if you want a piece of equipment, you have to come up with the capital to purchase it outright. Of course, this model still is the go-to way to get equipment, but vendors and end users alike are seeing the benefits that lease and as-a-service models can offer to those who choose to be flexible.

Behrens Metalware, based in Winona, Minnesota, recently shared its experience successfully implementing robots in two different ways with Control Design partner publication Industry Week's Dennis Scimeca. Bill Bellingham, vice president of manufacturing at Behrens, explained how the company realized that by being flexible with its technology implementations, it could add more technology at the same time and optimize the spend. In April 2022, the company purchased an industrial robot and began an as-a-service contract on cobots.

“With any new technology there’s a lot of hesitation. ‘We don’t have this knowledge here. Do we really want to take on this risk?’ Once you put a couple robots in and they are successful, now there’s no risk involved, or less risk involved,” Bellingham tells Industry Week.

Read "Manufacturing Robots: Buy? Lease? or As-a-Service?" on IndustryWeek.com for the full story.

About the Author

Dennis Scimeca, IndustryWeek

Dennis Scimeca is a veteran technology journalist with particular experience in vision system technology, machine learning/artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and interactive entertainment. He has experience writing for consumer, developer, and B2B audiences with bylines in many highly regarded specialist and mainstream outlets.

At IndustryWeek, he covers the continuing expansion of new technologies into the manufacturing world and the competitive advantages gained by learning and employing these new tools.

He also seeks to build connections between manufacturers by sharing the stories of their challenges and successes employing new technologies. If you would like to share your story with IndustryWeek, please contact him at [email protected].