Sudden growth!
In record time – less than a year, in fact – R&D Specialties underwent a complete technological transformation using solutions from Eplan and Rittal. The U.S. systems integrator and panel builder based in Odessa, Texas, can finally get its business on a growth trajectory. The inspiration came from the Rittal Application Center in Houston.
It was the Rittal Application Center in Houston where we met Brad Howell at the beginning of December – surrounded by equipment boasting the latest automation technology. The friendly Texan made a good first impression with his broad shoulders, confident stance and firm handshake. The owner of R&D Specialties knows what he wants – and what he’s talking about, especially in his specialist field of panel building.
Since 2011, Howell and his some 70-strong workforce have been in big demand with oil and gas industry customers in the Permian Basin – one of the world’s largest oil reserves – and beyond. Together with his sister, he took over the company that his father had founded back in 1983.
The game-changer
We are catching up with Howell back in the very place where he first stood two years ago, looking for suitable automation solutions that would help his company grow. At the Rittal Application Center, he received personal, one-on one support and advice at every step of the way, from planning to production. By seeing for himself how Eplan engineering software and Rittal automation solutions synergise to boost efficiency, he was inspired to act and, within just one year, the same benefits were realised for his own company.
“Switching to Rittal and Eplan technology was a real game-changer,” says Howell. “The automation technology and software are enabling us to grow at last – even with the same number of staff,” he explains. This would previously have been inconceivable, as the company had reached the limits of its capacity. How can you be more productive with the same workforce? It’s hopeless! Why not simply take on some extra skilled staff? No chance! “The first-rate plant engineering skills that are needed aren’t taught at schools or colleges, and trained specialists are nowhere to be found,” says Howell.
Saving of 40 percent
“Automation is the quickest and simplest route to growth. After all, it means we don’t need to take on additional staff,” he continues. Since last year, Howell has been completely transforming his plant engineering operations. Two Rittal automation solutions are in operation – a Perforex MT S for drilling and milling, and the Wire Terminal WT for fully automatic wire processing.
The Eplan Electric P8, Eplan Pro Panel and Eplan Data Portal software tools ensure an unprecedented level of engineering efficiency and quality. “It now takes just eight employees to do the work that previously required 14 members of staff. That amounts to a time saving of around 40 percent,” reveals Howell.
Making all the difference
Not all that long ago, everything looked very different. R&D Specialties only took the decision to use Eplan software and Rittal automation solutions a year ago. The Texan company had previously tried a milling and drilling machine from a different manufacturer. “But the software didn’t work,” says Howell, stating one of the reasons for the lack of success. There was another reason for moving away from this manufacturer, though. “When we received the software program, there were fewer than 20,000 device data sets in the library,” Howell continues. That made switching to Eplan a logical decision for him.
Thanks to an Eplan parts consultation and the Eplan Data Portal, he now has some two million high-quality component data sets from numerous leading equipment manufacturers at his disposal, directly from the Eplan Cloud. “I would never go back on my decision to use Eplan and Rittal,” admits Howell. R&D Specialties continues to receive partner support from Eplan and Rittal to this day.
Dramatic improvement in efficiency
Mr. Howell, what was your initial reaction the first time you visited the Rittal Application Center in Houston?
To be honest, my team and I were concerned when we saw the ultramodern Rittal automation solutions. We wondered how something like that could be integrated into our existing, ageing production setup, and also how we would manage to work with it. But the professional advice we received here gave us the answers we were looking for, showing us how Eplan software and Rittal automation solutions work together. We headed home feeling satisfied and realised this was the approach we needed to take.
Why did you invest in EPLAN software and Rittal automation systems?
We were looking to expand and grow, but we couldn’t find suitable staff for our panel building operations. Automation is the only way for us to move forward. Eplan software and the two automation solutions from Rittal – the Perforex MT S and the Wire Terminal WT – are speeding up our processes, making them around 40 percent faster. Efficiency has improved dramatically, so the decision was very much a success and also easy to realize.
How have your customers reacted to this big investment?
When our customers get their first look at the automation solutions, they’re impressed. They see how the equipment operates and how much more efficient everything is. They’ve mentioned on more than one occasion how much better our panels look.
R&D Specialties
Odessa, Texas, USA
Since it was founded in 1983, the systems integrator and panel builder has been supplying UL-certified panels to oil and gas industry customers in the Permian Basin – one of the largest oil reserves on Earth – and beyond. Its product portfolio includes e-houses, MCC housings, rack integration solutions, battery backup systems, variable frequency drives, junction boxes and panels, including PLC panels.