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RealWear, the world’s leading provider of assisted reality solutions for frontline industrial workers, today announced that Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv, based in Turkey, has selected and deployed RealWear’s rugged wearable devices across all of its 56 authorised service centres.

Prior to its countrywide enterprise wearable deployment, the process included hundreds of in-person trips, emails, shared photos and videos and over-the-phone collaboration with subject matter experts. With more than 240,000 customer vehicles on the road and the company’s commitment to high-quality service, the RealWear deployment will result in a wide-ranging positive impact from cost savings, carbon footprint reduction to efficiency and worker empowerment.

For Mercedes-Benz, speed is everything, including a timely response and resolution to its customers. Any issues that could not be resolved required technical support staff to schedule and physically visit the dealership, costing the firm around an expected $100k and 500 tons of carbon emissions per year.  

Since initially deploying the technology, Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv anticipates a 25% jump in ROI for on-part training scenarios and up to an expected 80% performance increase in customer service centre technical problem resolution where expertise from HQ is required. Certain other processes, such as problematic warranty cases and insurance claims have also become far more efficient using RealWear’s devices.

“Technologies such as RealWear and Microsoft Teams further increase the service quality and speed of Mercedes-Benz, thus positively affecting our customer satisfaction.” said Celal Tuna, Technical Support Supervisor at Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv. 

In Search of the Best Enterprise Wearable for Auto Workers

Mercedes Benz’s search for an enterprise wearable for its technicians began in May of 2020 but accelerated during travel-restrictions. The company wanted to safely maintain its high standard of customer support and resolution despite this challenge. Following conversations with Tofnatech, a gold partner and authorised RealWear reseller, it conducted a four-month pilot project in several of its customer service locations. After seeing initial success, Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv quickly scaled the RealWear devices throughout Turkey. Tofnatech developed a remote training program, and all service centre staff were trained on the new process.

The RealWear HMT-1 is a rugged voice-enabled heads-up display fully optimised with noise cancellation. Those were important features when the crew was near a busy motorway or construction site. The form factor and software frees a worker’s hands for the job task. The RealWear HMT-1 provides the ability for videos and pictures to be taken by the wearer and shared with an expert in real-time, enabling Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv’s customer services technical support department to conduct remote assistance to solve problems that require the additional support and technical experience of a remote team. 

The rollout of HMT-1s has enabled Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv to connect experts to staff out in the field via live video calls using Microsoft Teams to settle any issues that dealers are not able to resolve. Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv’s after-sales engineering/support teams can communicate with the technician with ease and can monitor the environment through the technician's field-of-view and convey real-time instructions.  

Commenting on the deployment, Altug Karayel, Founder of Tofnatech stated: “With its proven performance in Mercedes-Benz pilots, the ability to use Microsoft Teams, with continuous support from Tofnatech, and the many global companies already endorsing the product, meant that a wide-scale rollout of RealWear’s device was an easy decision for Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv to make.” 

“We’re delighted to continue to support the automotive industry as they pivot to electric, leveraging our assisted reality technology,” said John Arnold, Vice President of EMEA at RealWear. “Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv has reinvented the way in which it conducts vehicle repair and training in a move that highlights the digital transformation taking place in this industry.”

The introduction of assisted reality technology into the automotive space is part of the wider digital transformation process that is taking place, as witnessed by the adoption of technologies such as AI and augmented reality. With the automotive industry changing and shifting toward electric and semi-autonomous vehicles, RealWear is helping Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv stay ahead of the curve with its deployment of assisted reality wearables.   

Peli Products (UK) Ltd, distributor of the Peli™ brand of protective cases and professional lighting, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ross Carter to the position of Sales Manager. 

Ross has previously been responsible for sales in the South-East of England and has very successfully developed this region.

He will now oversee the Peli team of 10 regional sales representatives who all offer specialist advice on the ranges of protective equipment cases and lighting products, along with the Peli Sales support team. He will play a key part in developing the company’s ongoing strategy of offering full protective packaging solutions with custom engineered foam.

“Ross has been with the company for almost 7 years and during that time has been a key part of our success.  He has worked tirelessly in difficult times recently and I am delighted for him and very pleased to promote him to this position,” commented Sales Director David Smith.

Paul Wornham

Stepping into the Business Development role in the South-East, is Paul Wornham who joins the company with a background and vast knowledge in the industrial/utilities sectors. 

Paul has settled quickly into his role and is very much looking forward to meeting with his customer base.

Sales Director David Smith said “I am delighted to welcome Paul into the Business Development team.  His wealth of knowledge across all of our main customer markets is a great asset, and his vast experience in the Industrial sector aligns perfectly with the further development of this important region.”

Paul can be contacted on 07784 044839 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The article discusses how, in addition to the carbon mitigation that can be achieved through investment into Belzona’s protective coatings and composite repair systems, Belzona is also committed to investing in environmentally sustainable practices within the business. The article goes on to give examples of these practices.

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Reuters presents a free webinar on eliminating communications silos in Mainteance ,Relibilty and Operations.

The disconnect between Downstream's maintenance, reliability and operations personnel is standing in the way of true operational excellence. We need to build partnerships between site teams to enable the free flow of communication and information.

Focusing on this, Reuters Events is hosting the 'Eliminate Communication Silos In Maintenance, Reliability & Operations' webinar - February 24th, 10am CST. Manufacturing leaders from NOVA Chemicals, BASF and MOL GROUP will identify best practice in driving safety and efficiency transformation of work execution.

Click on the link below to register for the webinar.

https://www.engineeringmaintenance.info/images/hosted/Downstream-Feb8-RM-Web-EngineeringMaintenanceSolutions.html

Wednesday 9^th February 2022, Aberdeen, UK: Draeger Marine and Offshore, a division of The Dräger Group, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, has announced the appointment of Euan McIntosh as a senior manager at its Aberdeen operation. 

McIntosh, 38, whose career in safety spans 16 years, joins Dräger having held a variety of senior roles in the safety industry, including as UK Upstream General Manager of Total Safety, and having worked with many of the leading organisations in the oil and gas industry. 

He also successfully established, grew, and later sold, his own safety services business. 

McIntosh comments: “I am delighted to have joined Dräger’s Aberdeen operation. It is great to be working alongside such a talented and committed team within an organisation that is so highly regarded for its quality and service. 

“Dräger has extensive experience serving the oil, gas and offshore sectors, and there is a huge wealth of knowledge both within the team here in Aberdeen, and across the company’s global operation.   

“As the only major manufacturer of safety equipment based in Aberdeen, Dräger is ideally positioned to provide an unrivalled full service safety offering to firms operating in the oil, gas, renewables and offshore sectors.” 

Matthew Bedford, Managing Director, Dräger Safety UK adds: “It is a pleasure to welcome Euan to the Dräger team. He will be a great asset to our Aberdeen operation at an important time for our customers as many look to build new energy operations alongside more traditional oil and gas operations. 

“It is vital that the safety culture inherent within the oil and gas sector is carried over to the new energy industries of the future, and Dräger’s Aberdeen team is well-placed to support customers in this area.”   

McIntosh lives with his family in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, returning to settle where he grew up after moving to America to study.  

ENGINEERING specialists have manufactured a pioneering mechanical recovery system which can withstand explosive environments to make the process of removing cleaning devices from industrial pipelines less dangerous and significantly quicker.

A specialist team at engineering company Forth has designed a pig retrieval tool to more efficiently remove the devices, known in the industry as Pigs, from oil and gas process pipelines and significantly reduce production downtime.

The retrieval of the Pigs is crucial to allow the production of a plant to continue, but the process is often a laborious one and there is a potential risk to human life.

Forth’s gas and oil experts stationed at the company’s base in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, were approached by a customer who was frustrated with the labour intensive process of removing the Pigs.

The Forth team developed a flexible tool, which can be adjusted up to 15 metres, fitted with an ATEX Zone 1 pneumatic winch which can safely be used in explosive atmospheres, and can pull weights up to one tonne.

Using an auto-locking grab, the device connects to the Pig on contact with the latching point and is used in tandem with a mounted ATEX 

Zone 1 camera to provide live images back to a tablet operated on the ground by an engineer.

The use of the Pig Retrieval Equipment reduces manual handling and operating time, and allows production to return much quicker than usual while making the whole process safer for the operators.

The winch and the design of the front grab can be modified to suit different Pig latching point designs wherever applicable.

Rob Sneesby, Lead Mechanical Engineer, said: “By designing and manufacturing the Pig Recovery System, we were able to speed up the process significantly which meant that the production of the plant was able to resume much quicker, thus saving a substantial amount of money.

“There is always a risk element associated with the retrieval process too, and removing the need for such close human interface has made the job significantly safer to carry out.

“The team at Forth is proud to carry out such pioneering projects, and it is great that the work we conducted proved a game changer to our customer.

“The recovery system can be adapted for all industries and we look forward to working with further clients across all sectors.”

The Pig Retrieval Tool is one of many innovations manufactured for the oil gas industry by Forth.

The Forth team has also manufactured a system to improve the ease of removing spherical pigs from launch tubes which have been stuck in situ for a long time after previous attempts to retrieve them by traditional methods had been unsuccessful.

Rob said: “Time and again, customers approach us with problem statements and ask us to find a solution. And they keep coming back because we successfully manufacture products that significantly make their lives easier.

“We can work with any businesses looking for solutions to their problems across the gas and oil industry, and we take great pride in being able to deliver on our promise.”

Forth has bases in Flimby, Cleator Moor and Barrow, all in Cumbria, and works across all sectors in engineering, from gas and oil to renewables, and decommissioning to nuclear.

Within the global marketplace, manufacturers and buyers of electrical equipment are equally challenged.  Manufacturers need an international platform through which to promote their products.   Buyers need to be able to source exactly what they need, and in the least amount of time possible. This challenge is heightened when the products involved are electrical devices, designed for use in hazardous locations.

The risks involved for these products mean that information about them must be accurate, up-to-date, precise, trustable, easily accessible and referenced to the relevant Standards for the location in which they will be installed and used.

Hazloc Directory offers a unique resource that serves as an objective liaison between buyers and manufacturers of, and service providers for, hazardous location equipment, providing the tools that facilitate a connection between them.

The Hazloc Directory provides the following four helpful resources:

• A Listing of Hazardous Location Products
• A Listing of Manufacturers of Hazardous Location Products
• A Listing of Service Providers
• Hazardous Location Technical Resources

Manufacturers of hazardous location products holding valid certificates and service providers in hazardous location industries are encouraged to contact us about listing your products or services and using the Directory to promote them in the international marketplace.

The Hazloc Directory is the world’s most trusted source of information about hazardous location products, manufacturers, and service providers. 

www.hazlocdirectory.com - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -  Tel.: +1(416) 900-0872

Automated labelling can significantly increase the speed at which products, components, and cables can be identified. It enables you to comply with traceability requirements, while protecting profitability. Discover complete identification solution from Brady – on the website as well as on the Southern manufacturing 2022!

Brady Corporation offers a complete, automated labelling solution that includes industrial-grade labels, automated label printing software and automated print & apply systems.

Reliable labels are selected or designed to stay attached and remain legible in your working environment. They are automatically printed by smart label printing software and print & apply systems that can be fully integrated in your environment, and driven by your existing data.

Fully automated labelling for PCBs

A fully automated printed circuit board labelling solution can enable traceability and manufacturing data analysis without human interference. We can offer several automation solutions depending on your needs:

• BradyPrinter A8500 Label Printer Applicator: reliably automates printed circuit board labelling, consistently prints and applies tiny polyimide labels that can resist the entire PCB production process.

• ALF - Automated Label Feeder: offers effective automated label feeding, is fast, efficient and easy to use and can be implemented anywhere along the production line.

Automated cable identification

Wraparound & flag labels can be applied up to 10 seconds faster with Brady's automated cable identification solutions.

• The Wraptor A6200 Wrap Printer Applicator for Wrap-around labels in cellular manufacturing and process-driven assembly
• The Wraptor A6500 Wrap Printer Applicator significantly increase production output by identifying cables with wrap-around labels in 5 seconds
• With the BradyPrinter A5500 Flag Printer Applicator operators can significantly increase production output by flagging cables in 5 seconds

Visit Brady booth (E120) at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2022 and see our automated identification systems and industrial printers in action!

Never underestimate the importance of professional labelling!

Discover product identification solutions from Brady >>

Brady Corporation

Wildmere Industrial Estate

Banbury, Oxon OX16 3JU

Tel: +44 (0) 1295 228 288

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.brady.co.uk

Links:

https://www.brady.co.uk/labelling-automation-and-integration-solutions?sfdc=7014V0000025hdf&utm_campaign=pwid-systems&utm_medium=web-advertorial&utm_source=mslems&utm_content=pwid-portals-automation&camp=display-uk-awareness-mslems-pwidportalsautomation_wadv

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Continuous work in cold weather produces body heat and sweat. But when your rate of work slows, the sweat cools and you’ll start to feel cold and damp. The solution is Snickers Workwear’s body-mapping Mid-layer working clothes that deliver advanced ventilation to control and regulate the heat from your body.

Made to last from sustainable fabrics such as micro fleece and recycled polyester, they’re great for both work and leisure activities. These garments insulate and keep heat around your body by effectively creating an air pocket inside your clothes.

They complement Snickers Workwear’s FlexiWork Base-layer undergarments that combine sustainable animal-friendly Merino Wool with polyamide for warmth and ventilation. As well as the Top-layer or ‘outer shell’ AllroundWork and Flexiwork Weatherproof Jackets and Trousers that will keep you warm, dry and comfortable all day long.

For more information on Snickers Workwear’s sustainability philosophy and it’s Climate Control garments you can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With a focus on comfort and S3 safety, Solid Gear’s new and athletic-looking Prime GTX boots are probably the most comfortable and robust footwear you can get for the winter.

This hi-tech safety footwear will keep your feet dry so you can work comfortably in the roughest conditions on site – with effective protection all day long.

Solid Gear has combined a Vibram® outsole with a full and lightweight EPTU mid-sole to prioritise top-line comfort and stability. The sole combines excellent durability with oil-and slip-resistance and outstanding grip on snow and ice – even at low temperatures. What’s more the GTX combines ergonomics with a torsional rigidity for safety that are enhanced by the durable microfiber upper that has a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® membrane.

Comfort and fit are delivered to the highest standard with the GORE-TEX® Stretch Technology in the upper which, together with a high heel counter and the snug BOA® Fit System, make this boot truly a unique experience in safety footwear protection.

To get more information on Solid Gear Safety Footwear, check out www.solidgearfootwear.com; you can call the Helpline on 01484 854788 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.