New company set to reshape UK sensor market

Citation

(2000), "New company set to reshape UK sensor market", Sensor Review, Vol. 20 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2000.08720cab.007

New company set to reshape UK sensor market

New company set to reshape UK sensor market

Two of the world's biggest names in the field of sensing and control are joining forces in the UK. Turck and Banner have long been synonymous with all that is best in sensing technology. Hans Turck GmbH, with headquarters in Mulheim, Germany, pioneered much of the development of inductive proximity sensors in the early 1960s. Banner Engineering Corporation is the largest photoelectric sensor manufacturer in the USA, with more than 25 years experience. All the products are tried and tested throughout the world.

The companies have worked together with increasing vigour over the last ten years as the complementary nature of each company's styles and product ranges came to be more appreciated. It makes an ideal partnership which, until now was perhaps best represented by Interlink BT, a joint company formed in the USA to provide networked sensing solutions. For the last ten years, MTE Turck has provided sales and distribution services for both companies in the UK and the success of the operation has convinced Banner and Turck that it is time to get really serious about this market. The result is the creation of Turck Banner Limited.

Make no mistake. What, at one level may seem like a simple name change, is in fact a major commitment by both partners to provide the best possible service for the most comprehensive and rapidly growing range of sensors available. With a totally new organisation and ambitious targets, it will quickly make a major impact on the industry in the UK. There will be a rapid introduction of new products, beginning with a most exciting development in the area of fieldcomms for hazardous areas. This will be launched in the second quarter of 2000 and there will be a string of new products throughout the year.

The organisation is being strengthened to increase sales coverage in key areas such as Wales and the Midlands and Scotland. In addition, there will be further project and industry specialists to cover all major sectors. Automotive, oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, process, packaging, materials and mechanical handling, food, beverages, utilities and power generation are major areas of activity. In addition, the whole area of machine safety, where Banner is so strong, will be developed with new products and additional sales and technical support.

Internally the new company will benefit from increased application support staff, a major investment in IT and a restructuring of support services. With efficiencies from the reorganisation and closer direct control from the partner companies, an aggressive pricing policy will help in the drive to increase market share.

Banner manufactures over 12,000 different photoelectric sensors. There have been many innovations, with the first LED fibre optic sensors, the first compact AC sensors, the first visible beam LED retroreflective sensor, the first simple way to configure photoelectric logic in the field, the first photoelectric sensor with complete self-diagnostics. The list goes on and will continue to grow as the rate of progress increases even further. Recently a comprehensive range of machine safety products was added.

Turck manufactures more than 13,000 sensors, automation and system technology products. The sensor range includes inductive, capacitive, magnet inductive, photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors as well as flow and pressure controls. There are switching and monitoring devices that can be used in explosion hazardous areas and an extensive line of active and passive components for the most frequently used fieldbus systems.

Put the two companies together and you have the most amazing and complementary range of products (see Plate 3). Add the worldwide support and you can easily see the benefits of working with a world class company that can support customers wherever they are.

Plate 3 Comprehensive product range

Turck Banner Limited in the UK will continue to offer the best in sensing and control equipment with an ever-increasing range of products and services. Systems engineering, projects and value added products will play an increasing role, though, as many customers demand tailor-made solutions. There will also be a movement to more sophistication in many products with a vision system, a new safety system, new ultrasonic sensors and more bus technology planned for the next 12 months.

Turck Banner will lead the field in many activities. There will be packages specifically designed for OEMs. End users will be able to buy product only and engineer a system themselves or have the whole package designed and engineered for them. Each industry such as packaging, food, automotive or oil and gas will be able to benefit from applications support and the help of specialists.

For further information, please contact: George Perkins, Turck Banner Limited, Stephenson Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5LS. Tel: +44 (0) 1702 525186; Fax: +44 (0) 1702 420934; E-mail: info@turckbanner.co.uk