Pilz, the global automation technology company, has opened its €7.4 million software development centre in Cork. The opening of the facility coincides with the 20th anniversary of the company’s presence in Ireland.
The new three-storey 2,500-sq-m facility is located next to the existing Pilz Ireland building and doubles the capacity of the overall Pilz campus in Cork. It will immediately house 125 employees in the software product research and development division. The company is actively recruiting, with 70 new jobs in total planned by 2023.
Expand current portfolio of automation systems
The engineering tools used to plan, design, program and visualise Pilz automation control systems globally are conceived and developed in Cork. The company said that the investment in the new centre would allow it to expand its current portfolio of automation systems, while developing its technologies around the Internet of Things (IoT), analytics and new Software as a Service (SaaS) applications.
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L-R: Susan O’Connell, Susanne Kunschert and Thomas Pilz[/caption]
Demonstrations at the official opening included Pilz safe automation systems. Also showcased were some of the company’s disruptive technological breakthroughs related to automation in the cloud, human-robot collaboration, and the use of Augmented Reality in both training and the development and support of automated systems.
Thomas Pilz, managing partner of Pilz, said: “Pilz is committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation, and this new centre at our Irish operation showcases that vision. Coupled with the milestone of 20 years of Pilz in Ireland, today marks a new step for the company in Cork as we scale and grow.”
John McAuliffe, managing director of Pilz Ireland and vice-president of Pilz International Services Group, said: “The cutting-edge technology in our new facility will allow the company to not only respond to the new challenges facing the global manufacturing industry but also to innovate and grow, building on our existing reputation as IoT pioneers in safe automation.
"Global spending on IoT is set to reach $1.29 trillion by 2020* - but this is dependent on the implementation of clear Industry 4.0 strategies.
Formulating uniform standards for Industry 4.0
“Pilz is a member of the demonstration and research platform SmartFactoryKL and is, as a member of OPC Foundation**, actively involved in formulating uniform standards for Industry 4.0. Our systems ensure workers, plants and machinery stay connected, productive and safe.
"This is becoming more critical as levels of automation increase to achieve agility and productivity in manufacturing.”
With custom-built office space and new laboratory facilities, the Cork campus of connected facilities will now house three Pilz Group activities: Software Product Research and Development, International Services Group and the Global Account Management team.
The Pilz International Services Group develops safety engineering services and training for delivery worldwide by Pilz group companies. The campus is also home to Pilz Ireland Industrial Automation, serving the Irish market with Pilz Automation Systems and Engineering Services.
*According to the International Data Corporation https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS42209117
**
Open Platform Communications (OPC) is the interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data in the industrial automation space and other industries. The OPC Foundation is responsible for the development and maintenance of this standard. This platform is critical to establishing the interconnectivity required in I4.0 systems. https://opcfoundation.org/about/what-is-opc/