EU funding helps high-tech Czech company streamline operations

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"Our vision is to build a smart factory for BD Sensors, but this goal is endless, because what is enough today may not be enough in a year. We see the future in the processing and evaluation of historical data. By collecting and evaluating this data, we can generate secondary savings of about 20 %.”Karel Mareček, CEOThe company’s management team used the EU funding to make fundamental changes in the business. This is part of an overall objective of integrating all internal production and logistics into a comprehensive control system. This project went some way towards fulfilling this objective by automating production and by streamlining the exchange of information between machines.Additionally, the project helped launch an automated warehousing system for all the company's stock, thereby streamlining storage and unloading.Smarter ways of workingWithin the scope of the project, two ‘robotic nests’ were constructed to produce mechanical parts for pressure gauges and for a computer-controlled testing lathe. This production automation involves highly qualified employees, and requires the establishment of new processes, along with the construction of data networks for communication and the transfer of production and logistics information.Complete automation and digitisationKarel Mareček founded the company in 1993, with five people and production of four types of meters. Today, BD Sensors employs 300 people in Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Russia and China, producing 80 types of meters in more than 50 000 variants.The company is a world leader in the field of electronic pressure measuring technology. Its products are used in sectors such as machinery and plant construction, oil and gas extraction, and food and beverage production.Customers can choose from pressure sensors, sensors and transducers – devices which are used in automation, measurement and control systems. The company also provides tailor-made solutions.It intends to complete the digitisation and automation of all its activities – from the factory floor to administrative services, as well as research and customer-related matters.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “BD SENSORS - The Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the deployment of the Internet of Things in society” is EUR 3 503 725, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 126 333 through the “Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Development of entrepreneurship and SMEs competitiveness”.