Belgian industry faces challenges

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Wesley Black
5 years ago
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1 Belgian industry faces challenges How do the M+R exhibitors respond? Industry 4.0 is definitely the most-heard term when it comes to new trends. Measurement and regulation technology plays a crucial role in this (r)evolution, there is no doubt about that. That is why the providers of such solutions will present many novelties at M+R But even if your company is not yet ready to take the leap to Industry 4.0, you should consider a visit to the fair anyway. Technology never stands still: many new measurement and regulation equipment has evolved in such way that they can make your production environment much more efficient and cost-saving! Easyfairs always tries to match up its trade fairs to the expectations of the visitors. That is why the fair organizer follows the new trends very closely. That is also the case for M+R, the ultimate event for measurement and regulation technology in Belgium. Apart from talks with federations and educational institutions, the organizer took another initiative in the lead up to 2017 s edition. Six exhibitors were brought around the table to talk about what exactly they think are new trends. Of course, the way they want to respond to these with their participation in M+R was discussed. Industry 4.0 not for today During the round table discussion, it didn t take long before the term Industry 4.0 came up. However, the exhibitors seem to agree that this is still long-term thinking, especially in our country. Chris Durie, Marketing Manager at Endress+Hauser explains why: The Belgian automation market is indeed progressive. Some cases, such as the intelligent processing and exploitation of (many) process and status data and much more closely networked automation components and systems (according to the concepts of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0), still require some effort. We hope that the Belgian industry realizes this, because there is an enormous potential for efficiency improvement.

David Vervaele, Managing Director of Retec, conforms this statement: We too find that customers are still watching from the side lines when it comes to the implementation of Industry 4.0.

Consider the clever use of data to optimize production, connectivity at any place, etc. The knowledge about what constitutes Industry 4.0 is quite widespread in our view.

First work on improving efficiency We see that suppliers especially see profits in solutions that allow efficiency improvement and ensure that Belgian companies can gradually switch to Industry 4.0.

2 David Vervaele, Managing Director of Retec, conforms this statement: We too find that customers are still watching from the side lines when it comes to the implementation of Industry 4.0. For now, they have absolutely no interest in an app for each brand or each separate part of their production. On the contrary: change must go much further. Consider the clever use of data to optimize production, connectivity at any place, etc. The knowledge about what constitutes Industry 4.0 is quite widespread in our view. However, the translation into practise is still pending. It is up to us, suppliers, to help these companies by offering them solutions that are tailored to their budget and specific knowledge. First work on improving efficiency We see that suppliers especially see profits in solutions that allow efficiency improvement and ensure that Belgian companies can gradually switch to Industry 4.0. Sales Manager at Krohne Benelux, Stefaan Van Durme, puts it this way: We see more of a future in integrated measuring devices in which various measurements are processed by one single device. Chris Durie agrees: In all sectors the demand for process instruments that can supply multiple measures at the same time, such as flow rate, density and temperature is growing. Modern measuring instruments also provide a lot of status and diagnostic information that is passed through digital communication protocols to control, visualization and other industrial management software. The industrial Ethernet is an important new player in this phenomenon. Where and how easily that information finally ends up with the end users and applications is yet another aspect of the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. In that field, Belgium is still at the beginning of the evolution. Ludo Van Eeckhoudt, Sales Manager at Siemens: However, an important step in the right direction has already been made. Companies are increasingly looking to automate. They opt for high-quality solutions that increase the reliability, performance and safety of the machines.

Industrial production becomes greener In addition to increased efficiency, it appears that the Belgian industry particularly requires solutions that make production more ecological.

A good example is the current success of non-contact measurement solutions. However, there will always be applications that cannot be read by smart ultrasonic or radar waves.

All over the world, suppliers of such solutions make efforts to make their production process more environmentally friendly and/or develop products that can help the customers to reduce their

3 Industrial production becomes greener In addition to increased efficiency, it appears that the Belgian industry particularly requires solutions that make production more ecological. The manufacturers seem willing to listen, says Katrien Miechielssens, Managing Director at Retec: There is definitely a trend to make measurement and regulation equipment more efficient. A good example is the current success of non-contact measurement solutions. However, there will always be applications that cannot be read by smart ultrasonic or radar waves. That is why the offer of simple systems remains important as well. But whether it is super sophisticated or very simple measuring equipment: they are all influenced by ecological thinking. All over the world, suppliers of such solutions make efforts to make their production process more environmentally friendly and/or develop products that can help the customers to reduce their ecological footprint. This is necessary, because companies want to invest in cleaner technologies, primarily for their employees. That is why we will present the products of the Flemish start-up Hammer IMS at M+R. These solutions are designed to measure the thickness of non-ferrous metals based on millimetre waves and quite some data analysis. They therefore offer a nice alternative to radioactive measuring instruments. This brings us to another trend: increasing the safety in the production. Working safely remains the golden rule Safety is and remains a hot item, confirms Herwin Standaert Marcom Manager at Emerson. In addition to the search for more energy-efficient and ecological solutions, Belgian companies still consider safety as a decisive argument to make an investment. Precisely because the industry wants more safety, measurement and regulation equipment gets more attention. Thanks to the greater intelligence and additional functionality such as self-diagnostics and calibration, such solutions can make installations operate more safely, offer energy savings and a greater efficiency, while fewer people are present in the plant. Magnetrol International too notices a strong focus on safety. The measuring instruments must meet the necessary standards, including SIL. Otherwise, plants are no longer willing to implement them, explains Sales Engineer Belgium, Staf Schelkens.

4 Endress+Hauser treads the same path. Chris Durie: Our participation in M+R 2017 will partly focus on process safety. Visitors can expect a wide range of compliant, intelligent devices that largely subject themselves to self-diagnosis and proof testing. This not only ensures a safer production environment, it also provides big savings in terms of maintenance. On top of that, we will elaborately present our bulk tank and storage system solutions, with the most accurate level measurement technique on the basis of 80 GHz radars, the most accurate flow meters for Custody Transfer applications and communication/management software based on open communication via the Internet. This round table discussion makes clear that you too should not miss out on this event. M+R is the ultimate event in Belgium that will guide you in the development of measurement and regulation technology. The sector and technology do not stand still, quite the contrary. Would you like to know what the trends are and what solutions exist, make sure you block Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 March in your agenda. More information on

Round table participants Krohne Belgium has been a subsidiary of the German Krohne Group for over thirty years.

From its own production facilities in the Netherlands, UK, France and Germany, the company delivers directly to the end customer.

It serves as independent distributor of various European top brands, such as UWT, Kubler, STS, Lay, Katronic, etc.

For this company, a partnership is only successful when it is sure that its measurement instruments are the strong links in the application.

5 Round table participants Krohne Belgium has been a subsidiary of the German Krohne Group for over thirty years. The company focuses on the sales and service of instrumentation solutions (mainly for flow and level measurement) in the Belgian and Luxembourg markets. From its own production facilities in the Netherlands, UK, France and Germany, the company delivers directly to the end customer. Retec has been a specialist in the measurement of level, pressure, flow and temperature in industrial applications for 25 years. It serves as independent distributor of various European top brands, such as UWT, Kubler, STS, Lay, Katronic, etc. On the basis of a thorough analysis of the customer needs, Retec provides the right measurement solution and instrumentation. For this company, a partnership is only successful when it is sure that its measurement instruments are the strong links in the application. Emerson Automation Solutions is a leading provider of equipment, services and solutions that help companies automate their production, processing and distribution. The company combines high-quality products with industry-specific services in the field of engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance. The result is a unique concept including the latest technology step (wireless field and plant networks). Magnetrol International was a pioneer in the field of liquid level instrumentation for industrial applications in Today the company has become one of the leading manufacturers of innovative level and flow measurement instrumentation for a wide range of process applications.

Endress+Hauser is a leading, globally operating provider of measurement instrumentation, service and solutions in the field of process automation.

6 Endress+Hauser is a leading, globally operating provider of measurement instrumentation, service and solutions in the field of process automation. Thanks to the systems of this company, users can optimize their processes with a focus on efficiency, safety and the environment. Siemens is a global player in the field of technology and engineering and has been guaranteeing technical excellence, innovation, quality and reliability for over 165 years now. The company is active in more than 200 countries, with a focus on areas such as electrification, automation and digitization. As one of the world s main producers of energy efficiency and ecological technologies, Siemens is the number one for the construction of offshore wind turbines, a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation as well as solutions for electricity transmission, and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions and automation, drive and software solutions for the industry.

M+R: WHY PARTICIPATE?

M+R: WHY PARTICIPATE? Six A-players give the answer! Antwerp, 10th November 2016 - M+R promises to live up to its reputation of being the ultimate event in Belgium for measurement and regulation technology