Rockwell Automation White Paper Educates Food Industry on Benefits of an Integrated Energy Management Strategy


New white paper outlines steps food manufacturers can take to more effectively manage and reduce energy costs and improve power quality

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 5, 2006 - Food manufacturers have experienced as much as a 50 percent rise in energy costs - significantly impacting the total cost to produce final product. To help manufacturers improve their operational efficiency, Rockwell Automation today announced the availability of a new white paper that highlights the primary areas of energy consumption in food production and outlines the steps manufacturers can take to move toward more energy-efficient operations. The paper, "How a Well-Planned Strategy Can Help the Food Industry More Effectively Manage Its Energy-Related Costs," is available at www.rockwellautomation.com/industries/food.

"The key to effective energy management is information and knowledge-information on what's happening and the knowledge to do something about it," said John Kascur, vice president, Food Industry Initiative, Rockwell Automation. "Through our Power and Energy Management Solutions, Rockwell Automation helps food manufacturers gather the information they need to improve energy efficiency, lower energy costs and improve plant reliability."

As energy costs continue to rise, food manufacturers are taking greater control over these expenses and gaining a critical competitive advantage. The key to reducing energy-related expenses is understanding where, when and how much is being consumed. Armed with this information, companies can proactively manage load requirements, improve system performance and reduce costs.

Electricity costs are only a part of the overall energy issues that face food manufacturers. Natural gas prices have skyrocketed in recent years, with additional increases expected in 2005-2006, which will in turn increase production costs related to many processes, particularly those using ovens. Steam and compressed air costs also are impacted by higher electricity and natural gas costs.

The Rockwell Automation white paper highlights several case history examples of how food manufacturers have utilized energy management systems to control energy consumption and reduce costs. It also includes a discussion of how power optimization tools, such as variable frequency drives, can by applied to motor systems to significantly reduce the amount of energy used in a manufacturing process.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), is a leading global provider of automation, power, control, and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A., the company employs about 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information on the Rockwell Automation Food Initiative, please contact the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800-223-5354, ext. 1890.

Media contacts: Laura Prentice
Rockwell Automation
414-382-1261
lkprentice@ra.rockwell.com

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