New platform products – the first of many to enhance competitiveness
The early phase of the IMI Precision Engineering strategy concentrated on significantly improving the operations while conducting a detailed review of the markets we serve and their relative attractiveness. The results of that review have informed, among other things, our product development strategy. Using what are now standard New Product Development protocols across the Group, we haverecently launched 13 important platform products which are changing our competitive positioning in our markets and with our customers.
In addition to enhancing our core product offerings, where appropriate our platform developments have included sensing configurations to enhance performance and inter connectivity. Our Industry 4.0 strategy is well developed and focused on delivering the maximum commercial benefits by addressing current customer demand while monitoring changes in customer and market requirements. Many of the products we have already launched have connectability with our customers Industry 4.0 solutions.
Industrial Automation – In April 2017 at Hannover Messe, the world-leading industrial technology trade fair, IMI Precision Engineering launched its first new major platform products in over 10 years. These new products include ISOLine™ a ‘fit and forget’ pneumatic actuator range, Excelon Plus, the next generation air preparation unit and upgraded valve islands which now incorporate Ethernet/IP and provide increased connectivity. These products form part of our core offering and are found at the heart of factory automation systems.
Commercial Vehicle – a valve array that controls most chassis air-controlled accessories was brought to market in September 2017. The product, which takes a signal from the dash valve using an integrated electronic circuit with CAN-BUS interface control, offers a number of significant customer benefits.
Life Sciences – the IMI Norgren CadentTM 3, launched at the AACC San Diego Fair in August, is a highly flexible and programmable syringe pump capable of moving fluids as slowly as 0.008 microlitres/min. This new generation pump provides greater precision and accuracy for complex imaging and laser applications in analytical, biotechnology and diagnostic instrumentation.
Energy - ICO4-PST is the first-ever smart solenoid valve partial stroke testing system with the ability to diagnose the condition of every element in the final control loop. In November, this market leading product won the Energy Industries Council’s Technology Award.
Rail – The Integrated Twin AMT dryer was developed using our enhanced product development process and successfully launched in November 2016. Since the initial launch, IMI Precision Engineering has won a number of new contracts for the supply of the new dryer to train fleets across the rail industry including new metro trains in China and the Sydney Trains Outer Suburban Car fleet.
New Product Development continues at pace with an expanding pipeline of further new developments including 30 major product platforms, which are planned for launch over the next few years. This significant extension and upgrade of our product portfolio is already improving our competitiveness.
