Neles Controls Opens New Factory in Helsinki
Rauma Corp.'s Neles Controls, a manufacturer of valves and flow control systems, has opened a new positioner factory in the Roihupelto industrial area of Helsinki, Finland. Neles Controls' service center, technology group, and training center have also transferred to the new premises. The new factory building was added to Neles Controls' headquarters and actuator factory. In all, the company now has 800 employees working at the Roihupelto industrial area
The new factory allows Neles to improve its response to market needs and strengthen its position as a producer of digital control and automation solutions and related services. The company has also developed several new products and software packages. Based on digital control technology, these advances are designed to improve the controllability of customer processes. In particular, features related to predictive maintenance increase the reliability and service life of field devices.
The Field Browser software to be introduced by the end of the year will enable the automatic on-line monitoring of intelligent field devices. Using this software, it will also be possible to predict mechanical problems and avoid unnecessary shutdowns. In conjunction with the field devices at process plants, the software collects data on control valve performance and transmits information about potential problems to a mill's maintenance staff via email or mobile phone before these cause process disturbances. The Field Browser also produces an Internet/Intranet report that can be used to check the performance of all valves linked to the system.
The ValvGuard diagnostic system, which will be launched in early 1999, will significantly improve process safety and reduce operating costs. ValvGuard automatically tests emergency shutdown and venting valves and functions as a tool for predictive maintenance. Regular testing verifies the reliability of the emergency shutdown, venting and critical on/off valves of various processes.
The NelFlow, a combined control valve and flow meter to be launched at the end of the year, will enable substantial cost advantages, particularly when measuring flow in large pipes. With NelFlow, it will be possible to measure flows that have been technically difficult or expensive to measure in the past, such as those typical in most pulp mills. Another typical application area is steam flow measurement in a paper machine.
Neles Controls Group had net sales of $372.1 million in 1997 and about 2,400 employees. In addition to the Helsinki factory, the business group has manufacturing plants in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and France, as well as a joint venture in China and sales companies in 30 countries.
In addition to Neles Controls, Rauma Corp.'s business groups are Timberjack (forest machines), Sunds Defibrator (fiber processing technology and equipment), and Nordberg (rock crushing equipment). In 1997, Rauma had net sales of $2.135 billion and 10,000 employees. Operations outside Finland accounted for 91% of net sales.