The Prysmian Group, specifically Prysmian Netherlands, is a satisfied customer of VMB Automation. Jan Andriessen, production engineer at Prysmian Delft, is happy to share more about the collaboration with VMB Automation, as well as Prysmian and the rich history of the company.
Cables, Cables, Cables
At the Prysmian Netherlands location in Delft, it’s clear what the focus is: cables, cables, and more cables. Low, medium, and high voltage. “Low voltage is what you find at people’s homes. Medium-voltage cables are in cities and serve a distribution function. High-voltage cables connect energy networks, up to 400 kilovolts.”
The Prysmian Group operates worldwide, though the name may not be familiar to everyone. It becomes more relatable when Andriessen explains the company’s origins in 1913 with the founding of the Nederlandse Kabelfabriek (NFK). “It all started in a meadow in Delft, near the Schie. Today we are in the middle of the city, but back then it was the perfect location for a new factory.”
The founder of NFK was C. von Lindern. At the time of its founding, electrical cables wound on reels were considered cutting-edge products. One of the people who helped the Dutch Cable Factory grow was Ir. C.F. Proos. Under his leadership, the factory gained an excellent reputation in Europe for high-voltage cables. Additionally, due to World War I, imports from countries like Germany were limited, which boosted NFK’s business. In 2000, NFK was acquired by Pirelli, the world’s largest cable producer at the time. Later, Pirelli’s cable business became what we now know as the Prysmian Group.
Ultimately, thanks in part to Prysmian Netherlands in Delft, we can, for example, switch on the lights at night.
Prysmian Delft also has a network and components department and provides various services, such as cable repair and testing. “We make cables that can theoretically last 30 years, but in practice, they last 30 to 50 years.”
Collaboration with VMB Automation
According to Andriessen, Prysmian Netherlands has been working with VMB Automation since 2009, and the collaboration has been very successful. He lists the main advantages: “Good open communication, honest about agreements, reliable, helpful with problems or emergencies, always available, and you can really count on VMB Automation. Once we had a small fire. Some things needed to be modified. VMB Automation immediately offered solutions and assistance. I wouldn’t call them in the middle of the night, but they are reachable from early morning to late evening.”
Of course, not every project automatically goes to VMB Automation. For each project, quotes are requested from different companies. “VMB is always very transparent about pricing. This allows me to determine what can and cannot be achieved with the available budget. The pricing is reasonable. What I also appreciate is that VMB Automation is stress-resistant. Urgent jobs are not a problem. Installing, upgrading, or expanding machines? You can leave it to them. They are flexible and honest, even with their own employees. That shows externally as well.”
Retrofit Projects
VMB Automation is also engaged for retrofit projects. “This involves removing old control systems that can no longer be maintained and replacing them with something new. This is necessary as fewer people have knowledge of older control systems.”
Like many companies, Prysmian Netherlands faces challenges in attracting skilled technical staff. To address this, they have occasionally used temporary staffing through VMB Automation.
Specific Projects
Andriessen has completed numerous projects with VMB Automation, such as replacing various machine PLCs and rebuilding the control systems for two 40-ton reel winders. “These are winders for reels that can hold very large reels – up to 4 meters in diameter and 5 meters wide. They came from Italy. VMB Automation converted them and installed a new control system.”
He also recalls a retrofit of a nylon extruder machine. “The entire line had to be modified, a control cabinet had to be built, everything moved and reconnected. To complete this operation as quickly as possible, VMB employees worked in shifts to minimize production downtime.”
Another project involved the control of an oil mixing station. “This station must accurately mix two types of oil and pump them under pressure to another machine. We previously had a relay and counter-based control, which proved unreliable. VMB Automation created a reliable PLC control with a display that we have trusted for five years.”
Introducing Technology to Students
Prysmian Netherlands is among the many companies trying to engage students in technical careers. “We visited schools where students completed assignments and, in return, students visited our company. Technology is always different than they expect. They see things we never imagined, such as reels over 4 meters in diameter and machines the size of a circus attraction.”
For more information: www.nl.prysmiangroup.com
