Southwire, a leading manufacturer in the industry, has recently announced an exciting partnership with READY Robotics, a pioneer in automation solutions. The collaboration aims to deploy advanced automation technology at five of Southwire’s major facilities. By leveraging READY Robotics’ expertise, Southwire hopes to enhance their operations and continue their legacy as an innovation leader.
Through this partnership, facilities including the Retail East Customer Service Center in Villa Rica, Georgia, the Utility Products Plant in Carrollton, Georgia, the Kentucky Plant in Hawesville, Kentucky, the Florence Plant in Florence, Alabama, and the Bremen Campus in Bremen, Indiana, will participate in an automation pilot program. This initiative will enable Southwire to explore and implement cutting-edge automation solutions that address the challenges faced by manufacturers.
To prepare for the project, READY Robotics conducted an Automation Readiness Assessment (ARA), a systematic analysis led by automation professionals. The assessment identified potential automation opportunities within Southwire’s production facilities, including both traditional automation options and high-mix low-volume (HMLV) operations. The latter are often considered difficult to automate without a versatile solution like READY’s ForgeOS, a proprietary industrial operating system for robotics and automation.
“Allan Gibson, vice president of Automation & Manufacturing Technologies at READY Robotics, described the partnership as a ‘game-changer’,” stated a spokesperson for Southwire. He emphasized the transformative nature of the collaboration, which will incorporate industrial robotics, mobile robotics such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) technologies across Southwire’s corporation using ForgeOS. This initiative showcases Southwire’s commitment to efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
As an industry leader, Southwire is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive work environment for its team members while driving innovation. The partnership with READY Robotics aligns with their ongoing commitment to safety and will contribute to their assessment and initiative to enhance material handling safety and related automation for existing assets and future investments.
For more information about Southwire’s sustainability efforts and ongoing commitment to innovation, please visit the company’s online Newsroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the partnership between Southwire and READY Robotics?
The partnership aims to deploy cutting-edge automation solutions at Southwire’s facilities to overcome the challenges faced by manufacturers in the industry.
2. Which Southwire facilities will participate in the automation pilot?
The Retail East Customer Service Center in Villa Rica, Georgia; the Utility Products Plant in Carrollton, Georgia; the Kentucky Plant in Hawesville, Kentucky; the Florence Plant in Florence, Alabama; and the Bremen Campus in Bremen, Indiana, will all participate in the automation pilot.
3. What is an Automation Readiness Assessment (ARA)?
The Automation Readiness Assessment is a systematic analysis led by automation professionals that identifies potential automation opportunities within production facilities. It evaluates both traditional automation options and high-mix low-volume (HMLV) operations.
4. What is ForgeOS?
ForgeOS is a proprietary industrial operating system for robotics and automation developed by READY Robotics. It offers a versatile solution for automating challenging high-mix low-volume (HMLV) operations.
5. How does the partnership align with Southwire’s commitment to safety?
The partnership with READY Robotics supports Southwire’s ongoing assessment and initiative to provide a safe environment for all team members. Close collaboration between READY Robotics and Southwire’s internal teams will help cultivate material handling safety and related automation for existing assets and future investments.