November 2024 industry news: expansions, award nominations and Automation Fair highlights

In this episode of Control Intelligence, managing editor Anna Townshend shares machine builder and system integrator news highlights from the month of November.

Transcript

Important recognition

E Tech Group has achieved Platinum System Integrator status in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork, a recognition awarded to fewer than 1% of partners worldwide. This exclusive designation reflects E Tech's technical excellence and an alignment with Rockwell's mission to advance smart manufacturing, sustainability, and industrial digital transformation.

E Tech Group’s core capabilities are designed to extend beyond traditional automation and control, including IT/OT networking assessments and front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies as a foundation for strategic planning and remediation; strengthening clients’ cybersecurity postures for protection during a cyberattack; software development including 3D digital twins accessible via any web browser; and manufacturing intelligence initiatives that turn raw data into actionable insights.

Purchases

Green Bay Packaging in Lebanon, Ohio, has purchased BW Papersystems’ 200th twin box slitter. This machine doubles the output from mid-sized flexo folder gluers by creating two boxes from a single sheet. This equipment boosts versatility, allowing manufacturers to produce a wide range of corrugated box sizes with improved production efficiency and precision. The twin box slitter’s addition to Green Bay Packaging demonstrates the demand for specialized equipment for complex box-making production lines.

Acquisitions

1. In a move to expand its hydraulic service capabilities in Canada, Motion has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Stoney Creek Hydraulics, a company specializing in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder manufacturing and repair. This acquisition will add precision machining and testing expertise to Motion's mechanical repair offerings, bolstering service options for Canadian customers.

2. Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire Altair Engineering, integrating Altair’s simulation and artificial intelligence capabilities into Siemens Xcelerator to create a comprehensive design and simulation portfolio. This acquisition aims to bridge real-world and digital environments, allowing Siemens to offer enhanced tools for industrial design, analysis, and high-performance computing. By combining forces, Siemens and Altair will provide next-level solutions for AI-driven product development and design simulation in industrial automation.

James Scapa, Altair’s founder and CEO, said: “We have added thousands of customers globally in manufacturing, life sciences, energy and financial services, and built an amazing workforce and innovative culture. We believe this combination of two strongly complementary leaders in the engineering software space brings together Altair’s broad portfolio in simulation, data science and HPC with Siemens’ strong position in mechanical and EDA design.”

3. Kundinger Service and Repair Solutions has acquired Astro Hydraulics to strengthen its hydraulic and pneumatic service offerings in Wisconsin and Michigan. This move enhances Kundinger's ability to support critical industry needs with efficient repair and maintenance services and aligns with Kundinger’s growth strategy, following its recent purchase of CCT Enterprises.

Thomas E. Kundinger, president and co-owner of Kundinger Service and Repair Solutions, said: “We remain focused on ensuring the efficient operation of hydraulic and pneumatic components with the highest level of customer care.”

Expansions

1. BioMade has invested $27 million in 17 projects to scale up U.S.-based bioindustrial manufacturing for sustainable materials by supporting domestic supply chains and developing sustainable, bio-based alternatives for everyday products. This funding supports a range of initiatives, including biodegradable plastic production, upcycling of waste, and certification programs for workforce training in bioeconomy fields.

Bioindustrial manufacturing uses biological systems, including microbes such as bacteria, yeast and algae, to produce materials and chemicals that are incorporated into every-day products, like bio-based cement, and plant-based nylon, paints and adhesives. The processes are powered by U.S. feedstocks, such as corn, woody biomass, waste gases and agricultural waste.

2. Malloy Electric is expanding its mechanical service capabilities, adding a horizontal boring mill to its Dakota Dunes facility to address demand for high-capacity motor repairs up to 20,000 hp. Malloy also invested in a universal commutator repair system for dc machines and a VPI (vacuum pressure impregnation) system for its Mandan facility, targeting the oil, gas, and mining sectors. Additionally, its partner Elite Industrial increased its shop space by 20,000 sq ft in Wyoming, including a new 40-ton crane, all of which enhance service options for large industrial equipment.

3. Phoenix Contact USA has launched a Power Reliability Application Center at its Houston Customer Technology Center (CTC), offering hands-on training for system integrators and engineers. This interactive center allows professionals to test power systems, surge protection, and energy monitoring in a simulated environment, enhancing their knowledge of reliable power system design. Jeremy Valentine, director of product marketing—power reliability, said: “This interactive new area is like a science center for adults. We want customers to explore this area and play around and learn about the important aspects of power reliability for the industrial market.”

Expanded CTC staff will lead free, three-day training sessions, emphasizing practical skills in power reliability and distribution.

Association news

1. The OPC Foundation Cloud Initiative, aimed at boosting interoperability of industrial and IT systems, has welcomed Google Cloud as a member. The initiative focuses on developing a cloud-based reference architecture for OPC UA, which supports data sharing for digital twins, artificial intelligence and other industrial applications. The addition of Google Cloud reflects a growing commitment among cloud providers and industrial companies to establish standards that reduce integration costs and enhance data interoperability across IT and OT environments.

Praveen Rao, managing director and global head of manufacturing industry at Google Cloud, said: "Data interoperability among OT, IT and cloud environments is a key business driver for manufacturers. The OPC Foundation Cloud Initiative aligns with our commitment to open standards and ensuring our manufacturing customers have the tools and technologies they need to achieve seamless integration and unlock the full potential of their data in the cloud."

2. The nomination period is open for the 2025 Engineer Woman and Young Engineer Woman Awards, which celebrate innovation and commitment among female engineers. Hosted at Hannover Messe's FemWorx Career Congress, these awards highlight achievements in industrial and technical fields, with winners chosen by an independent jury. Companies exhibiting at Hannover Messe can nominate one candidate per award, with applications closing January 24. This initiative not only fosters recognition but also encourages networking and diversity in STEM. Winners will be honored at Hannover Messe in April, alongside exhibitions in smart manufacturing, energy and digital ecosystems.

3. CERN, home to the large hadron collider, has appointed Mark Thomson as its next director-general. Thomson, an experimental physicist and leader in particle physics, will assume his role on January 1, overseeing CERN’s research into fundamental physics. His selection underscores CERN’s commitment to advancing international scientific collaboration and expanding the knowledge of particle physics through cutting-edge experimentation.

Professor Thomson said, “CERN’s mission is to unravel the mysteries of the universe, contributing to our collective pursuit of knowledge. CERN’s exciting future promises groundbreaking research and discoveries that will shape our understanding of physics and, in doing so, inspire future generations of young scientists.”

Vendor news

1. Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas has donated motorized forklift pallet trucks to the Houston Food Bank, boosting the nonprofit’s food distribution efficiency across 18 counties in southeast Texas. The new equipment is expected to enhance the warehouse's logistics, enabling the distribution of more than 120 million meals annually. This donation reflects Mitsubishi Logisnext’s commitment to supporting community welfare and food security in Houston.

2. Mouser Electronics, a global distributor of semiconductors and electronic components, will split its president and CEO roles starting January 1, 2025. Current CEO Glenn Smith will retain his position, while Jeff Newell will be promoted to president, becoming the third in the company’s history. Newell, who joined Mouser in 2013, brings more than 30 years of expertise in semiconductor sales and international business development. This leadership change reflects Mouser's commitment to sustaining its growth trajectory, which has expanded from $10 million in 1988 to more than $3 billion in annual revenue.

3. Digi International announced that its Digi Connect Sensor XRT-M has been certified for T-Mobile's network, enabling remote monitoring for industrial IoT applications. Designed for sectors such as agriculture, water utilities, and industrial gas, the sensor integrates seamlessly with the Digi Axess platform for cloud-based control. The certification underscores the reliability of Digi’s technology, enhancing its ability to deliver IoT solutions on a broad network. This advancement simplifies data management and strengthens remote industrial monitoring capabilities.

Automation Fair news

1. Speakers at the Rockwell Automation’s 2024 Automation Fair emphasized the importance of engaging system integrators and engineering, procurement and construction firms or EPCs early in modernization projects, as investment in U.S. manufacturing has been spurred by government programs.

2. System integrators are pivotal for drafting RFQs, ensuring seamless interoperability, and addressing scalability in automation systems. Firms like Concept Systems and Convergix utilize AI and digital design tools to accelerate deployments. These approaches facilitate faster deployment and better project alignment, especially as factories adopt rapid speed-to-market strategies. Projects demand cultural alignment, committed resources and a clear controls philosophy to meet the complexities of modern manufacturing.

3. Rockwell Automation's 2024 Automation Fair also spotlighted three transformative trends in industrial automation: artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and software-defined automation (SDA). AI is revolutionizing closed-loop systems by enabling adaptive learning, predictive maintenance and enhanced quality control with tools like FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI. Robotics and SDA accelerate deployment cycles, aided by technologies such as Emulate3D digital twins and FactoryTalk Design Studio Copilot, which streamline system validation and PLC programming. These advancements pave the way for smarter, more autonomous manufacturing environments.