Azbil leveraging innovative automation solutions to advance SEA manufacturing operations

The key to enabling manufacturers to be more involved in digitalization is by partnering with the right solutions provider, like Azbil, through smart and scalable automation towards a sustainable future.

From smart cars to smart cities, technology continues to be the driving force of innovation. That’s why it’s not surprising that smart solutions can be applied in every industry, and smart manufacturing is just one of them. However, smart manufacturing isn’t as simple as just buying and installing state-of-the-art equipment.

“It’s providing a long-term solution service with high-level safety, security, and efficiency, including advanced engineering technology for onsite equipment installation and maintenance,”  according to Yoshimitsu Hojo, Managing Corporate Executive and President of Advanced Automation Company, Azbil Corporation.

Azbil Corporation, formerly known as Yamatake Corporation, is a leader in building and industrial automation, using its measurement and control technologies to provide customers with high-value-added solutions to make their operations more efficient and sustainable. Founded in 1906, Azbil serves customers across the globe in a broad range of industries with the goal of contributing to people's safety, comfort, and fulfilment, as well as global environmental preservation. 

Azbil has had a business presence in Southeast Asia (SEA) for over 25 years across a wide range of industries.

Hojo said there are two things that manufacturers, especially those in SEA, should prepare for: the known and the unexpected circumstances.   Known factors such as facilities and machines getting older over time, achieving carbon neutrality that requires re-examination of plant processes and control methods, retiring workforce for skilled operators and to constantly find ways to improve productivity to remain competitive in the global market. Labour shortages due to unexpected events may also cause disruptions and burnout of the workers.

These problems are what Azbil has set its sights on solving.

SDGs-driven initiatives towards environmental and societal advantages

Since the awareness of social responsibility and sustainability has increased, it’s not enough for manufacturers to just embark on a new manufacturing process to increase their production. Manufacturers must also be conscious about the changing factors that relate to the environmental and the societal impact they have.

This is not something new for Azbil. Since the United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the azbil Group has used these as guidelines to manage its business activities.

“We established the Essential Goals of the azbil Group for SDGs which consist of targets relevant to achieving the four essential goals by 2030. The goals are, Environment and Energy; New Automation; Supply Chain and Social Responsibility; and Health and Well-Being Management and An Organization That Never Stops Learning, covering business and general corporate activities. To advance its contributions “in series” to the achievement of a sustainable society, the Group has been setting various specific targets. One example is the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through business activities to 55%” Hojo said.

With this backdrop, Azbil has been pushing its philosophy of “human-centered automation” by providing new products and services that contribute to the safety, productivity, and value enhancement of production sites by using advanced technologies such as AI and various sensing technologies. The azbil Group is also solving environmental energy-related problems in buildings and in the local community, whilst strengthening its own business and corporate foundations.

Offering future-facing solutions through smart manufacturing

Aside from sustainability, the future is ripe for advanced automation. Deloitte’s 2020 Intelligent Automation survey said 78% of firms are already implementing robotic process automation, with 34% already implementing AI in their organizations.

In the manufacturing sector, the use of advanced automation for equipment and production line automation for new products and services, creating energy-efficient, GHG-controlled production facilities for decarbonization, and providing safe, efficient operation of facilities will come to be in great demand. 

Azbil is especially preparing for the growing investment demand to respond to labour shortages, the decarbonization of society, and remote working and post-pandemic situation by advancing autonomy capabilities in the manufacturing industry.

"Our development strategy includes these three aspects. First, we develop new products using MEMS technology and expand the measurement field. Second, we develop new products, systems, and services for anomaly detection and prediction and AI equipment diagnosis that integrates cloud computing, AI technology, and IoT devices. Third, we develop proven and competitive products and services offered in Japan for overseas markets, aiming for business growth with high competitiveness," Hojo said.

Azbil’s goal in advanced automation business is simple: to solve problems at factories, plants, and a variety of other production sites by providing products, solutions, instrumentation, engineering, and maintenance services to support the optimal operation of their customers' facilities and equipment throughout their life cycle.

"Through collaboration with the people involved in the production, we develop advanced measurement and control technologies, strive to realize production sites where workers can safely develop their skills, and create new value for our customers,” Hojo added.

With Azbil’s more than 100 years of experience as a company and its innovative and smart automation solutions, they really contribute to a sustainable future through digital technology.

Azbil is one of the exhibitors at the Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC – a HANNOVER MESSE event (ITAP) 2022. In its fifth edition, themed ‘Industry 4.0 for Business Sustainability’, the leading regional trade exhibition will be held physically at the Singapore EXPO halls 2 and 3 from 18 to 20 October 2022.

Register your trade visitor pass and get to know more about Azbil at: https://www.gevme.com/industrial-transformation-asia-pacific---a-hannover-messe-event-2022-23506269/?promo=AZBIL