Astec Automation Pte Ltd
Timothee Cazares
The ASTEC Digital mission is to create best-in-class solutions for our customers through the ASTEC Digital Data Suite of solutions. With the ASTEC Digital Data Suite, ASTEC is positioned to build out a digital platform across our integrated Rock to Road product portfolio. Our experience across the spectrum of Rock to Road business sectors provided the knowledge and resources to invest in industry-leading innovations that drive value for customers.
Scalable and customizable to suit your specific needs, our new breed of control systems combines the time-tested expertise of ASTEC software with the cutting-edge integration of the Minds platform. Reliable, configurable, and highly accurate, our unified, user-centric platform now includes highly intuitive graphic interfaces, remote access via modern mobile applications, dual workstation access, and more. The production-level data forms the foundation that flows up the pipeline to large-scope job/business management IT tools.
Get the big picture of your production operations with ASTEC Plant Telematics. Multi-site plant management, enterprise-level ticketing, quality control, material usage and inventory, and performance metrics dashboards allow you to get critical information about your operations and where and when you need it. We are constantly innovating to offer the best solutions for plant managers, operators, and business managers.
Our telematics systems allow service technicians and owners to protect their investments and keep operating costs low by monitoring a selected machine in real-time through a wireless signal, addressing any issues that may arise while the machine works. It also allows ASTEC customer service to view the machine remotely in real-time and be there for the customer anytime, anywhere. The engine, hydraulic and electrical systems, grade control, and GPS location are all monitored in detail.
Our automation solutions enable safer and optimized operations through remote or robotic processes. ASTEC entered the robotics sector in 2016 with the SiloBot, a proprietary device that inspects the structural integrity of asphalt storage silos. As ASTEC has gained knowledge and experience in the use of robotics, new applications are being identified and developed to bring even more value and resolution to inspection services.
XR, or eXtended Reality, is an emerging technology that enables users to view and understand equipment spatially in virtual space, overlayed to the surrounding physical world. With endless applications, the cutting-edge headsets enable equipment demonstrations without the need to be physically near the machine, as well as configuration and review of plant layouts. Tying this technology to the true data streams coming from our other products will enable next-level visualization of complex systems, enabling faster training, enablement, and service to our customers.
Astec Industries has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MINDS Automation Group Inc. (MINDS), a leader in plant automation control systems and cloud-based data management in the asphalt industry. MINDS, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, has locations in the U.S., United Kingdom, France, and Belgium. The company develops user-friendly, advanced, customizable plant automation control systems for drum, batch, combo/hybrid hot mix plants, emulsion plants, liquid terminals, silo load-out, ticketing and data management for the asphalt industry.
The Chattanooga-based asphalt equipment maker announced Wednesday it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire MINDS Automation Group Inc., headquartered in British Columbia, Canada. MINDS develops advanced, customizable plant automation control systems for drum, batch, combo/hybrid hot mix plants, emulsion plants, liquid terminals, silo load-out, ticketing and data management for the asphalt industry.
Terms of the purchase were not announced, but MINDS Inc. has locations in the U.S., United Kingdom, France and Belgium. MINDS CEO Pierre Vidaillac and the leadership team will stay with Astec after the acquisition.
"MINDS technology complements our existing offerings for asphalt production joining Astec Controls and Grathwol Automation as we build out a digital platform across our Rock to Road value chain of products.," Barry Ruffalo, president and CEO of Astec Industries, said in an announcement of the purchase Wednesday. "Our combined business will provide the knowledge and resources to further invest in industry-leading innovations that drive value for customers and our overall Rock to Road digital platform."
"Astec built its business applying state-of-the-art technology to the industry," Vidaillac said. "They have a reputation for innovation, and we are looking forward to contributing to their growth and long-term success."
Astec's stock has dropped since the company reported last month a fourth-quarter loss due to supply chain interruptions and pandemic-related labor restrictions. Astec shares are down by more than 36% so far this year in trading on the Nasdaq exchange.
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Astec Industries is entering into an agreement to acquire MINDS Automation Group (MINDS). The firm is a leader in plant automation control systems and cloud-based data management in the asphalt industry.
Based in British Columbia, Canada, MINDS has locations in the US, UK, France, and Belgium. The company develops user-friendly, advanced, customisable plant automation control systems for drum, batch, combo/hybrid hot mix plants, emulsion plants, liquid terminals, silo load-out, ticketing and data management for the asphalt industry.
Introduced at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, Astec Digital's aim is to develop a digital platform that unifies tools and provides users access to information and data collection opportunities across the company's offerings, from aggregates to asphalt.
Astec Digital was formed using the base of Astec Controls and two key acquisitions, of Grathwol Automation and MINDS Controls. The integration of technology from those three areas has provided the new division a strong starting point for development of new products and services.
Astec's first offering combining technologies, Data Suite, is a collection of digital solutions that provide data-based knowledge and optimization across multiple product segments. It focuses on four areas: controls and automation, telematics, data and process intelligence, and robotics.
A new asphalt connectivity suite will be released soon, providing a universal platform bringing the company's full portfolio of tools together in one place. The connectivity suite will give customers the ability to delve into their plant, quarry, or road crew operations with performance and productivity insights, and set maintenance reminders. It also provides information on all things Astec.
"Our control and telematics technologies are giving our clients greater control over their asphalt plants and mobile assets and the ability to run safer, more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable operations," said Eric Baker, vice president and general manager of Astec Digital. "We've been laying a foundation to connect all of our products within an Astec ecosystem and building on top of that foundation to improve data visibility and access and drive crucial plant and equipment insights."
"In the future, we're planning to create digital twins of our products, with data that allows our customers to see how their operations and fleets function," Baker said. "The ultimate goal is creating a digital representation of our customers' operations so they can improve them in the real world."
Lem Technologies designs and manufactures control panels for all concrete plants sold by BMH Systems for over 30 years. One of our major projects for them has been the control panels for two modular concrete batch plants for the construction of the drilling platforms of the Hebron project located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, in Canada.
Located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, the drilling platforms were developed using a stand-alone concrete gravity-based structure (GBS). Totally made of high-strength concrete, the concrete had to be poured with a slip form system. A modularized construction was needed to facilitate the relocation of the twin batch plants to the barge to allow the oil platform to be completed offshore.
BMH provided two modular concrete batch plants used to produce the concrete for the construction of the GBS. BMH Systems supplied a twin central mix batch plant mounted on a barge, with two 5,4 yd twin shaft mixers, 935 tons of aggregate storage and 1,800 tons of cement storage. This turnkey project also included an automation system capable of batching in the harsh environment of the ocean with very strict tolerances that had to be able to withstand the worst possible storms.
Bundy Group, an investment bank and advisory firm, provides an update on mergers & acquisitions and capital placement activity in the automation market. Fifteen transactions were reported for the month of July.
The first half of 2022 continued to demonstrate strong demand from strategic buyers, financial sponsors (i.e. private equity groups) and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Buyer and investor interest continue to be on a global scale and across multiple subsegments of automation, including control system integration, robotics, automation software and control instrument manufacturing. Even with inflationary and possible recession headwinds, there is substantial buyer activity, led by seasoned players in the automation sector. In short, the automation market is considered a safe haven for capital in tumultuous macro-economic times.
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