AVK International wins the DIRA Automation Award 2024
It is with great pride that we can announce that AVK International has been awarded the DIRA Automation Award 2024 for its fully automatic robot solution. 10-09-2024
The award is a recognition of the company's pioneering efforts in automation, robotic technology and long-standing commitment to innovation. It marks an important milestone for AVK in its efforts to strengthen efficiency and sustainability in production.
The robot solution not only automates complex tasks like pressing, threading and screwing but also enhances product quality and eliminates repetitive, heavy lifting – improving both efficiency and working environment.
An impressive, fully automatic robot solution
30 years ago, AVK International got the very first robot. And they're certainly not done finding new opportunities for automation.
Recently, they have invested in a fully automatic robot solution that handles, installs and controls 31 different varieties of valves for drinking water, weighing anywhere from 3.6 to 54 kilograms. The solution includes several robotic arms, advanced vision systems and quality testing via pressure testing. In fact, there are as many as 16 processes gathered in one robot solution.
Previously, the production of valves for drinking water at AVK International was done manually. But with the new fully automated robot solution, that's history. The solution has made it possible for AVK International to scale the production of the valves for drinking water up and down as needed.
"It is an impressive automation solution, AVK International has implemented. And the company's journey is also remarkable. They started with one thing and have ended up in a larger and more thorough process that has made them look at larger parts of production. AVK International is thus a good example of how automation can help move the entire company and raise the bar,” the jury says.
Lars Christiansen - Plant Manager, and Production Engineers Jan Reinholdt Jensen and Christopher Rytter accepting the award together with our partners at Kilde Automations.
A shared effort
The robot system has been designed in cooperation with AVK Holding (Production & Supply Chain Department) and the automation company Kilde Automation, who has supplied the robots and software and set up the solution. In addition, several employees have played a major role in the development of the robot solution, sharing their knowledge and inputs to get the best possible solution for AVK. The project has been managed in cooperation with AVK Holding and AVK International.
Bo Johansen, COO in the AVK Group, says: “It has been an exciting process for the whole team, and thanks to the enthusiasm and great effort from all team members the development of the robot system has been a great success.”
The good cooperation between Kilde, AVK and not least the many AVK employees has resulted in AVK not only increasing the efficiency and quality of the production, but also eliminating a lot of heavy lifting and one-sided, repetitive work, which makes AVK more competitive and strengthens the working environment for employees.
“We have raised the quality of the valves, removed much of the one-sided, repetitive work, and eliminated some heavy lifting. At the same time, the company has become more competitive,” says Lars Christiansen, Plant Manager, AVK International.
Contributing to a sustainable future through technology
With automation solutions that include advanced robotic technology, AVK International has secured its production for the future. The automation has not only contributed to increased efficiency, but also to a significant reduction in waste and energy consumption, which supports our objectives to reduce our environmental impact and strengthen sustainable development.
The award recognizes AVK International’s hard work and ability to combine technological innovation with our core values. Automation is a crucial part of AVK’s strategy to remain competitive in a global industry, strengthen our production and contribute to a sustainable future.
The DIRA Automation Award is proof that AVK International not only lives up to, but also sets new standards for how companies can use automation to create value, both for the company, the employees and the environment.
A huge congratulations to AVK International with the DIRA Automation Award 2024!
About the DIRA Automation Award
The DIRA (Danish Industrial Robot Association) Automation Award is given each year to a company that has shown exceptional results through the use of automation and robots.
With the DIRA Automation Award, the hope is that other companies, individuals or institutions can be inspired to use robotic technology in their industry, so that we can maintain Danish competitiveness, retain Danish jobs and, not least, improve the working environment for employees who have to handle physically hard and repetitive work every day.
And AVK International is a clear example of just that.
