Rittal is expanding its production capabilities and building the world’s most advanced production plant for compact enclosures in Haiger, Germany, with completion scheduled for 2018. Total capital expenditure will amount to 250 million euros, making it the largest single investment in the company’s history. State-of-the-art infrastructure and digitalization will underpin highly-efficient production, logistics and communications processes. There will be corresponding upgrades to two other plants in the region, and the construction of a further plant for large stainless-steel enclosures.
Digital technology and systems
The 24,000 m² Haiger facility will manufacture 9,000 enclosures a day from 300 standard types, in accordance with each customer’s specific needs. Digital technology will play a key role, as will machining and assembly tools from Rittal Automation Systems’ portfolio. Materials will be transported across the plant by means of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), dispensing with human operators. Intelligent systems, with machine-learning abilities will be deployed to continuously increase system availability, and to predictively order spare parts, reducing the likelihood of unplanned downtime due to wear and tear. Fully automated control systems, for example in the paint shop, will minimise energy consumption, costs and environmental impact.
Sites
Haiger will act as a pilot and model for upgrades at other Rittal sites throughout the world. Digitisation of production processes is vital to delivering future improved efficiencies. It is the key to achieve the productivity needed to compete in the global marketplace and to create a secure platform for our workforce in all the locations where Rittal operate.
