trends in automation
Editorial
1
Dr. Ansgar Kriwet,
Member of the
Management Board Region and Sales Europe
Food for Thought
Dear reader,
We have become used to high quality standards in our food, and
consumer expectations are constantly rising. Ever present
scandals about contaminated food show how difficult it is to
maintain these high standards. Automatic production equipment
for food and beverage production is subject to increasing
requirements for hygienic design, food grade materials,
lubrication and resistance to cleaning agents.
Food processing is a very special area of production where a
particular language is spoken, unique standards and regulations
are applied and distinct trends and development opportunities
can be seen. For Festo, this is one of the most important areas
of our business, and we are therefore strongly focussing our
product development efforts as well as sales competencies on
this sector. Our industry segment specialists are supporting
our customers with special know how about the needs of their
applications and the solutions offered by Festo.
This edition of trends in automation also has a special focus
on food. You can read about how “designed for cleaning” can
actually benefit the economic operation of food and beverage
machines (page 6) and how Festo automation helps with the fast
moving world of speciality convenience foods (page 30). With
expertise in both factory automation and process automation,
Festo is the ideal partner for the food industry where both
technologies are used: process automation in the primary
processing of food and beverages and factory automation in the
subsequent handling and packaging processes.
The food industry is very diverse and colourful across the
regions as eating habits in Europe, Asia and the Americas vary
enormously. Festo benefits from its global footprint and
supports you locally in your individual needs. Put us to the test –
you won’t be disappointed!
Yours,
Ansgar Kriwet