Cimcorp supplying automated handling system to Petlas

Cimcorp is supplying a fully automated handling system to Petlas Tire Corporation at its factory in Kirsehir, Turkey, about 100 miles southeast of Ankara. Based on Cimcorp’s Dream Factory solution, the automation will handle finished passenger car radial tyre-finishing and palletizing areas. Work on the order – Cimcorp’s first project for Petlas – is already underway and the turnkey material handling system will become operational in the autumn of 2017.

The order for Cimcorp is part of a huge investment program to expand the Kirsehir plant in order to increase Petlas’ PCR production capacity and meet growing demand. Turkey achieved record car production and export levels in 2015, with production up by 16 per cent and exports up 12 per cent over the preceding year. This growth rate is higher than in any other European country and, with its automotive plants rolling out 1.36 million vehicles in 2015, Turkey is now the seventh largest automotive producer in Europe.

With the production equipment – the tyre-building machines, presses and testing machines – already installed, Petlas is commencing the automation of the plant’s material handling. This comprises Cimcorp’s robotic buffer stores, tyre conveyors and control software – Cimcorp WCS (Warehouse Control Software) – to take care of all material flows. Using linear robots operating on overhead gantries, the system will automate the handling and transfer of finished tires from the trimming stations, through visual inspection and uniformity testing, to palletizing.

Commenting on the order, Yahya Ertem, general manager at Petlas Tire Corporation, said: “We think highly of Cimcorp’s software, which integrates the machines into one entity and keeps the flow of material and data under complete control. Cimcorp’s Dream Factory automation fits with our vision to achieve ‘excellence in business’ and will help us to achieve our strategic goals.”

Cimcorp is delighted to have secured its first order with the Turkish manufacturer. Tero Peltomäki, Cimcorp’s vice president of sales and projects, said: “It has been fantastic to work with the Petlas team, honing our design into the best possible solution for the Kirsehir plant. The automation will help Petlas to enhance its market position as a leading tyre manufacturer and distributor and we look forward to working on future automation projects with the company.”