Mesnac, Rockwell extend smart manufacturing partnership

BEIJING—Chinese machinery supplier Mesnac Co. Ltd. said it has recently that it has extended a strategic agreement with Rockwell Automation Inc. to conduct joint research on smart manufacturing within the tire and rubber industry.

Rockwell Automation is expected to help improve the performance of machines, and support Mesnac in improving efficiency while also reducing cost through engineering.

Per the agreement the two parties will conduct in-depth research into automation and industry safety "with the aim to provide top quality products and services to the tire manufacturers and promote the smart manufacture process in the global rubber industry."

Speaking on the partnership, Mesnac Vice President Yu Mingjin said the Chinese company would continue to improve its application technologies, applying its smart manufacturing systems at the Hefei Wanli plant.

For that, he added, Mesnac will have to have joint research with tire manufacturers and suppliers to improve the "smart level of its products and solutions."

Hefei Wanli announced in October that it was completing phase one of its new tire plant in Hefei, Anhui, which it described as "the world's first tire factory employing smart automation throughout processes from mixing to curing."

Bob Buttermore, managing director of Rockwell Automation Greater China, said the two companies have enjoyed decades of cooperation, both in China and worldwide.

"We expect to see a close cooperation in exploring the innovative technologies in smart equipment and information technology," Buttermore said. "We will continue to support Mesnac to become a world-leading integrated solution provider for the rubber and tire industry."