While multinational companies in the local food and beverage industry have implemented integrated multidiscipline control systems for their operations, small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) are hesitant to implement the technology, says control and automation solutions provider Referro Systems MD Adrian van Wyk.

However, companies often connect the technology to operations, rather than integrating them. The resultant productivity gaps are often not easily supported, which, in turn, has a loading effect on resources within these establishments.

Additionally, owing to the challenges associated with long-distance travel, such as high fuel prices, some SMMEs are often unable to attend industry events that provide relevant information regarding control technology.

“SMMEs have had a much slower uptake mostly because they have a misconception that the implementation of integrated connected enterprises is too costly and, consequently, unavailable for smaller operations.

“However, there are solutions available – fully connected, integrated architecture delivered-type enterprise availability that is modular and scalable,” notes Van Wyk.

Hence, Referro Systems is deploying resources locally in Upington, in the Northern Cape.

This expansion will enable the company to deliver solutions closer to clients and, consequently, increase awareness of the benefits of control technology and prevent misinformation.

In addition, the company aims to deploy people who have the necessary skills and upskill people to enable them to improve their capabilities.

The company also aims to expand its footprint in the southern part of the Northern Cape.

Technology Benefits

Van Wyk explains that control technology has numerous benefits such as process improvement, overall efficiencies of manufacturing capability and delivery, an increase in uptime and speed-to-market quality, as well as consistency of product delivery.

Further, smart technology creates a connected enterprise with real-time control and information available across multiple platforms and devices in the manufacturing environment.

By connecting systems in real time across multiple platforms and devices, users in the food and beverage industry can share information and make informed decisions more proactively.

Additionally, new technology, software and information can help increase productivity and improve overall business performance, in addition to helping customers mitigate their enterprise risk and monetise their intellectual property.

Van Wyk adds that greater productivity results in energy efficiency.

“Productivity efficiency is a massive contributor to energy efficiency. If we are able to do things quicker, better, smarter and more informed, we are able to reduce cycle times and improve quality and output without increasing the energy required to do that.”

He explains that, while new products are continuously being released, original-equipment manufacturers allow their clients to make firmware changes, whereby clients can update and add additional features to the product without replacing it.

While Referro Systems provides automation solutions, it also supplies products to the food and beverage industry and assists clients in selecting appropriate solutions for specific application requirements.

The company also provides control and motor-control solutions, as well as pre-

and after-sales support tracking for clients through training and repairs once the technologies are deployed.

“We deliver plant-wide control, automation and information delivery to these applications, with varying levels of motor-control solutions. There are a broad range of applications that we can service to address the requirements of the client using these product solu- tions,” concludes Van Wyk.