Order for Rockwell Automation PlantPAx process automation system incorporates 7,000+ distributed input/output connections in complex DCS conversion.
MILWAUKEE -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Nyrstar Hobart, (NYSE EURONEXT: NYR) a leading global multi-metals company, has awarded a $2.5 million+ order to Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) and its Global Solutions team to replace a distributed control system (DCS) at the company's zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia with the Rockwell Automation PlantPAxTM process automation system.
"Our current DCS would be cost-prohibitive to upgrade. Hardware was failing and repairs were becoming expensive and requiring longer lead times. The Rockwell Automation solution provides us with better integration between different process areas, improved diagnostics, maintaining plant uptime and delivering improved plant performance reporting," said Jeremy Kouw, general manager, Nyrstar Hobart. According to research performed by the ARC Advisory Group, the global process industry loses approximately $20 billion annually, or about five percent of annual production, due to unscheduled downtime from aging DCS systems
Rockwell Automation won the order by developing a three-year phased integration with a back-up option that uses custom input/output cabling to ensure process continuity, coupled with technical support for the existing installation. NHP Electrical, a Rockwell Automation authorized distributor, provided long-term committed support to the project, which also weighed in the favor of Rockwell Automation.
"This win represents a milestone for us given the size and complexity of the DCS conversion," said Terry Gebert, vice president and general manager, Rockwell Automation Global Solutions. "We won the order over two major process automation companies, based on the excellent support we provide for the existing operation and a clear vision of control conversion to a long-term sustainable operation. The order includes project management, application engineering, system cutover engineering, hardware and software. Our experience, domain expertise and global resources will help Nyrstar Hobart in this critical conversion from a legacy DCS system."
Nyrstar Hobart's Australian facility is one of the world's largest zinc smelters with a capacity of 280,000 tonnes. It produces zinc and zinc alloys that are exported primarily to Asia. The existing DCS operates process control for roast-leach purification electrolysis, acid plant and water treatment.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
About Rockwell Automation Global Solutions
The thousands of engineers on the Rockwell Automation Global Solutions team design, build and upgrade control, power, safety and information solutions for manufacturing clients. Working in tandem with a scalable PartnerNetwork,TM the company's global solutions business can address a wide range of projects including challenging multi-million dollar enterprise projects than span two or more countries. Clients include oil and gas, petrochemicals, consumer industries, life sciences, automotive, tire and heavy industries such as cement, metals, mining, pulp and paper, and power and water utilities.
About Nyrstar
Nyrstar is an integrated mining and metals business, with market leading positions in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals; essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing world. Nyrstar has mining and smelting operations located in Europe, Australia, China, Canada, the United States, Central and Latin America and employs over 6,600 people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate office in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information please visit the Nyrstar website, www.nyrstar.com
PlantPAx is a trademark of Rockwell Automation Inc.
CONTACT:
Rockwell Automation
Media Contact:
Keith Lester
414-382-4871
klester@ra.rockwell.com