CP Automation launches cranes and power transmission support team

Traditionally, getting the necessary support for such projects meant working with multiple partners, but with the new turnkey offering customers can get everything from one supplier.

“I’ve been in the industry for 25 years and, in my experience, customers often need to go to multiple suppliers for various components. They could end up placing between five and ten purchase orders,” said CP Automation’s business development manager Andy Swann, who heads up the new department. “We’re not linked to any one manufacturer and, using our extensive network of suppliers, we can give customers the exact product they need.”

Although its business is predominantly focused on applications in drives, automation and power quality, CP Automation has offered a limited range of products for crane and power transmission projects for a number of years. These include radio remote controls, variable-speed drives (VSDs) and collision-avoidance systems.

Both existing and new customers can reach out to Swann and his team, who provide onsite support and recommend solutions based on application needs.

Since launching the team, CP Automation has already scaled its crane and power transmission clientele significantly, working with the likes of Tata Steel, Liberty Steel and Michelin.

“As well as off-the-shelf products like the VSDs and wire pendants, we also offer engineered product solutions for older cranes, where we go out, measure up, respecify and offer a bespoke solution,” said Swann. “We recently worked on some Matterson cranes from the 1960s and were able to redesign them so they could run on VSDs, meaning they could all run at the same speeds and transport heavy loads.”

“Every crane or power transmission project is unique, and establishing a dedicated new department was the obvious step forward,” added John Mitchell, CP Automation’s global sales and marketing director. “It shows how we are continuing to expand and adapt as a business, so we can meet the needs an ever-changing industry. I’m excited for what the future holds as we continue to take on more projects in this area.”

In the short time since establishing the new department, CP Automation has also added applications engineer Ian Knight to the team, as well as staff to process orders and to work in its warehouse.