Autotech in Romanian control projects

05 January 2010

Autotech, a UK based control systems supplier is strengthening its presence in Romania, embarking on a new project with the country’s Ford operation just as it completes an installation with Coca-Cola.

Autotech has supplied the control systems for the new automated handling system at Coca-Cola Hellenic’s bottling and distribution facility in Ploiesti, Romania.
Autotech has supplied the control systems for the new automated handling system at Coca-Cola Hellenic’s bottling and distribution facility in Ploiesti, Romania.

A control and electrical solution is set for delivery to a new paint shop for Ford Motor Company in Romania. Autotech won the contract from Dürr Limited, a supplier of automotive production facilities.

Andrew Robinson, managing director for Autotech, said: “Dürr has selected us to provide the electrical installation services for all the material handling equipment being installed in the new paint shop at Ford’s plant in Craiova. The system includes 3.5 km of handling equipment, which will need to be brought on stream within a very challenging timeframe.”

The first vehicle – a Transit Connect van – rolled off the production line at the new Craiova factory in September 2009. Ford has since confirmed that it will also build a new, small vehicle as well as an advanced, eco-friendly petrol engine at Craiova in the near future. Once fully operational, Craiova will employ approximately 7,000 people and have a production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines a year.

Coca-Cola Hellenic’s automated system up and running
The automated handling system at Coca-Cola Hellenic’s bottling and distribution facility in Ploiesti, Romania, has gone live following a rapid installation and commissioning period.

Logistex commissioned Autotech to provide the conveyor and crane control systems for the facility and has worked closely with Logistex for the past year.

The project includes a high-bay, clad-rack warehouse system reaching a height of 27m. The handling equipment includes 11 cranes, shuttle cars, elevators and 2km of conveyors, some of which have been installed at a height of 3.5m above the floor to maximise the use of available space.

Coca-Cola Hellenic, the largest bottler and vendor of Coca-Cola products in Europe, serving 560 million people in 28 countries, decided to make the multi-million Euro investment to automate the plant’s handling processes in order to meet forecast growth in the Romanian market.

A critical factor in awarding the contract was the need to minimise downtime during installation, despite a challenging timescale of nine months. Every aspect of the installation also had to be designed to withstand potential seismic activity in the region.


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