December 2024 industry news: a year in review

In this episode of Control Intelligence, managing editor Anna Townshend shares which news stories made the biggest waves in the automation industry in 2024.

Transcript

It’s the end of the year, and instead of reviewing all the stories for December, we’re doing our own version of a Top 10 list, and today I’ll go through our top 10 news stories from 2024.

#10: Refitted robotics facility opens in Michigan

ABB has inaugurated its upgraded U.S. robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, signaling its commitment to local manufacturing and innovation. The $20 million investment includes a 30% increase in space, a Customer Experience Center, and a new training center aimed at educating more than 3,000 workers annually. The facility supports ABB’s global robotics network, which integrates AI-driven automation to address labor shortages, streamline supply chains and improve sustainability. The expansion also aligns with ABB’s broader U.S. investments in automation and electrification, aiming to drive innovation across industries like EV production, healthcare and packaging.

This story was originally published on March 14.

#9: Adoption of Robotic Lab Technology Could Accelerate with Automation Partnership

ABB Robotics and Mettler Toledo have partnered to integrate ABB’s collaborative robots with Mettler Toledo’s LabX laboratory management software. This combination is designed to enhance lab workflows, improve productivity, and address labor shortages in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food and beverage. By seamlessly connecting LabX to ABB’s OmniCore robot controllers, the collaboration enables automated data management, process accuracy and regulatory compliance. ABB plans to showcase these innovations at the SLAS2024 International Conference, highlighting the potential for AI-driven lab automation to transform research and quality control processes.

This story was originally published Feb. 2.

#8: UniversalAutomation.Org welcomes new president

Raquel Torres has been appointed president of UniversalAutomation.Org (UAO), succeeding John Conway, who announced his retirement in May. A new board of directors was also elected at the annual general meeting in Barcelona in May. Torres is chief ecosystem officer for UAO, having previously worked at Schneider Electric, AVEVA and SAP. She hopes to continue to grow membership through the use of its runtime technology and its manufacturer-neutral automation approach.

This story was originally published on Aug. 15.

#7: CNC veteran remembered for a life of giving and education

Siemens Machine Tool Business announced the death of Randy Pearson, a respected CNC expert and former dealer support manager, who died at 70 after a long battle with lung cancer. Pearson, with more than 20 years at Siemens, was known for his passion for education and mentorship in the machine tool industry. His colleagues remember him for his deep technical knowledge, infectious energy and dedication to helping others. Throughout his career, Pearson contributed significantly to the industry at many companies, and through his educational columns in machine tool magazines.

This story was originally published on June 25.

#6: Ethernet-APL certification continues to expand

ABB has achieved Ethernet-APL certification for its VortexMaster FSV400 and SwirlMaster FSS400 flowmeters, marking a key milestone in industrial networking. Ethernet-APL, designed for hazardous environments, enables full Ethernet and TCP/IP connectivity at 10 Mbps over existing fieldbus cables. This certification underscores ABB’s efforts toward fully digitalized instrumentation, with plans to extend APL technology to pressure and temperature instruments in 2025. Developed in collaboration with FieldComm Group, this advancement promises enhanced interoperability and faster adoption of Ethernet-based solutions in process industries.

This story was originally published on June 28.

#5: Automation supplier’s U.S. management board prepares for president’s retirement

Phoenix Contact USA has announced a leadership transition in preparation for the retirement of long-serving president Jack Nehlig, effective December 31. The company has implemented a new management structure of the U.S. company as a Group Center of Competence. Key executives have been promoted, including Heath Scoggin, Kevin Zak, and Davis Mathews, who will lead the U.S. operations across various business areas. As president of the Device Connectors business area, Scoggin will lead the company development and the manufacturing legal entity, Process Management and Quality.  As president of the Industrial Components and Electronics business area, Zak will lead the U.S. sales subsidiary legal entity, Logistics, Government Relations and ESG. As president of the Industry Management and Automation business area, Mathews will lead the legal entity, Human Relations, Digitalization, IT, Purchasing and Faculties. In addition, Kyle Bordner was promoted to vice president of finance and risk management, replacing David Russo, who retired in May. This transition is designed to maintain the company's growth and influence in electrification, networking and automation while ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

This story was originally published on September 3.

#4: Integrator chooses machine learning for warehouse robotics

IHI Logistics & Machinery has partnered with Osaro to deploy machine-learning-enabled robotic depalletizing systems for warehouse automation in Japan. Osaro’s advanced vision software enables precise mixed-case depalletizing, improving efficiency in tasks typically prone to workplace injuries. Following successful trials, IHI plans broader deployment, emphasizing the system’s ability to handle diverse cases at high speeds. This collaboration aligns with IHI’s mission to deliver innovative automation solutions while addressing labor challenges in warehousing.

This story was originally published on March 20.

#3: UAO favors IEC 61499 over IEC 61131

UniversalAutomation.Org (UAO) has recently grown its membership, closing in on 100 members and reflecting the growing industry interest in its International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61499-based automation approach. Unlike the traditional IEC 61131 standard, IEC 61499 offers a decentralized and hardware-independent framework, facilitating greater flexibility in automation projects. In contrast, but not in competition with approaches such as MTP, NOA, OPC UA or O-PAS, the UAO Runtime Execution Engine is designed to eliminate proprietary automation structures. If the runtime is implemented in a programmable logic controller (PLC), for example, it does not require a development environment from the same manufacturer or generation to program it, ultimately decoupling hardware and software.

This story was originally published on July 30.

#2: Fanuc America hosts grand opening of new Michigan facility

Fanuc America has opened a new facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, as part of a $110 million expansion to support industrial automation in North America. This expansion, part of a five-year growth strategy, increases the company’s Michigan footprint to more than 2 million square feet and creates more than 400 jobs. The 650,000-square-foot West Campus provides advanced product manufacturing and customized automation systems and includes warehouse space for more than 6,000 quick delivery robots and tens of thousands of parts. Since 2019, Fanuc has invested more than $187 million, including a 461,000-square-foot North Campus facility in 2019, and new headquarters facilities in Mexico and Canada in 2023.

This story was originally published on July 10.

#1: Leadership roles change at Endress+Hauser

Dr. Peter Selders has been appointed CEO of Endress+Hauser Group, succeeding Matthias Altendorf, who moves to the supervisory board. Selders, a physicist with two decades at the company, is only the fourth CEO in its 70-year history. Altendorf, after a decade as CEO, replaces Dr. Klaus Endress as president of the supervisory board, reflecting a transition toward third-generation family representation. The changes signal continuity and a focus on innovation in the Swiss measurement technology leader’s leadership structure.

This story was originally published on January 4.