ATR Engineering - Short Delivery Times for Components and Decisions

Being able to shift gears quickly is crucial to the success of industrial automation projects. This refers not only to the delivery of components but also to decision-making. Short lines of communication are important here. That was the case in the project to control a washing line for plastic PET flakes, in which ATR Engineering and itsme teamed up closely. ‘The added value of our collaboration is being able to anticipate customer requests extremely quickly.’

Bringing ten years of experience in industrial automation to the table, Adrie van Triest started his own company in 2019. With a broad approach, ATR Engineering in Berkel-Enschot focuses on hardware and software engineering. ‘Our area of expertise is offering total solutions for industrial automation centred around the design of PLC controls.

We will sit down with a customer to discuss pending automation issues and we will determine the needs and wishes for a project together in advance. We also offer flexible support for projects or commissioning.’ ATR Engineering is a small company currently employing four engineers from different disciplines. There is also a permanent ‘flexible shell’ of engineers and technicians available to help during peak periods.

The Security of Stock

ATR Engineering has teamed up with itsme for the supply of components and know-how, for example in the washing line for plastic PET flakes project. The client separates different types of plastic, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which we all are familiar with in water and soft drink bottles. For recycling, the plastic is crushed, cut up and cold-washed, among other things. Lastly, the flakes have to be hot-washed, explains Van Triest. ‘There is glue residue attached to the PET particles, which has to come off in this hot washing process.’ A German machine builder was called in to build the complete line, including the construction of the control cabinets. However, this last aspect got deadlocked because of excessively long delivery times, which is why the customer sent a request to the market.

‘I had reached out to itsme before because I think very highly of them in terms of technical knowledge’

Right away, Van Triest started working with itsme on a first design and a budget. ‘Thanks to this rapid shifting in the bidding phase, we were awarded the contract, also because we were able to quote a competitive price. Together with itsme, we determined which brands we could use for this, to guarantee that delivery times would not be an issue. For the frequency converters, we selected Danfoss. They are known for their delivery reliability and that was very important to us. Moreover, contact with them through itsme went very smoothly.’

Thijs Hanssen, technical sales engineer at itsme, adds: ‘The agreement with ATR was that the components would not have to be delivered from stock. But the minute delivery time was likely to become an issue, we would be able to solve it from our stock. While it would be a slightly higher-spec component of that platform which was not necessarily required for this project, and it would cost a little more, the lead time of the project would not be jeopardised.’

The Best of Three Worlds

Van Triest: ‘I had reached out to itsme before because I think very highly of them in terms of technical knowledge. Say that we as a system integrator struggle with a project; I’m sure we can rely on them to provide us with a very good safety net. That’s immensely valuable for a small company like ours.’ Hanssen adds, ‘It’s also about the range of components we supply.

In this project, we also supplied the Siemens PLCs, the brains of the installation. Danfoss and Siemens communicate well with one another, but the components have to be linked together of course, and we have the know-how for that.’

‘A good safety net is immensely valuable for a small company like ours’

The control cabinets are now completed. ATR called in a cabinet builder to take care of this part, Van Triest explains. ‘We know our own strengths and weaknesses, and we have insufficient knowledge and capacity when it comes to cabinet building. In addition, it was convenient that they knew itsme as well.’ On the part of the technical services provider, Elvira Edelenbosch took care of the orders. ‘ATR ordered the time-critical parts, the PLCs and the frequency converters from us. The cabinet builder directly arranged the supply and delivery of less critical cabinet components by itsme.’ Van Triest: ‘With their broad experience and network, cabinet builders can shift gears quickly. If changes are needed, they will quickly come up with a suggestion. We incorporate this in the ‘as built’ drawing, so that in the end we have a solid package that meets the customer specifications, is within the cost margin and can also be delivered on time. This way, we have the best of three worlds.’

Anticipate Quickly and Plan Far Ahead

Van Triest is very pleased with the collaboration. ‘The communication lines with the cabinet builder, itsme and Danfoss were short. Being able to shift gears quickly with parties that have ample expertise paid off in this project.’ itsme found the collaboration equally enjoyable, says Edelenbosch. ‘With such a small company, you can immediately get hold of the right contact person. ATR also knows how to deliver component lists.’ Hanssen adds: ‘The difference with a larger company is that with ATR, we were able to immediately get hold of the director-owner, Adrie. As soon as he has all the information, including from us, he can take decisions immediately.’ Van Triest: ‘The added value of our collaboration with itsme is being able to anticipate customer requests extremely quickly. That is 100% what I hear from our customers. If we need answers to a knowledge question, itsme is at the top of our list.’

The connection is also important for the long term, Hanssen concludes. ‘For the brands we carry, we can look five years ahead. We know which new technologies are up-and-coming and which product groups will be replaced. For a project that has to be delivered in three months, that’s not a big deal. But if a project is not due for another two or three years, it is interesting to know what will be relevant in five years, so that you can take it into account now already. We inform customers about this, through all our channels. We also provide training on it.’

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