Rockwell helps Chinese tire-maker advance project in US

Shanghai, China – Rockwell Automation has helped an unnamed Chinese tire manufacturer build a plant in the US, according to the US automation vendor.

In an automation forum hosted by Rockwell, titled “the connected enterprise CEO forum”, in Shanghai, Rockwell officials said that the company had helped the tire-maker design the plant to meet local safety standards.

“A seamless manufacturing execution system (MES) in the company’s China and US plants helped to ensure integrated control of both plants,” Rockwell noted.

Leading the forum, Rockwell Automation’s new president and CEO, Blake Moret described Rockwell’s connected enterprise as a system that could connect information from the plant floor to the rest of the enterprise.

The connected enterprise, he argued, was aligned with the government’s “China Manufacturing 2025” and “Internet Plus” initiatives, to help the country transition to smart manufacturing.

Last year, China’s overseas direct investment (ODI) surpassed its foreign direct investment (FDI) for the first time.

“It is crucial now for Chinese companies to enhance quality as well as plant productivity to compete globally,” Moret commented.