ABB appoints UK partner for motion control products

SMS Machine Automation (SMS) is the first UK company to be awarded ABB Value Provider – Technical Distributor status for ABB motion control products.

ABB’s motion control range includes servo motors, servo drives and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). SMS’s previous expertise as an ABB Value Provider – System Integrator enables them to provide a more complete package for customers, covering applications’ operational life from initial purchase through to installation, commissioning, maintenance and upgrades.

Established in 1999, SMS has for the past 20 years provided engineering solutions for machine building, system integration and automation component distribution for a range of industry sectors. Simon Wakefield, Marketing and Communications Lead, SMS, describes the company’s broad customer base: “We provide standard components and custom solutions for a wide range of industries, from nuclear fuel production and premium chocolate manufacturing to glass bottle embellishment, and even automotive and entertainment applications.”

Rory Hamilton, UK Channel Manager, ABB, says that the partnership will add considerable value for customers: “SMS were previously classified as a Value Provider – System Integrator for ABB motion control products, but in being awarded Value Provider – Technical Distributor status the partnership has now stepped up a gear. SMS’s expertise in machine and system integration, combined with our market leading products, now allows them to help customers cost effectively integrate automation into their manufacturing processes, helping to improve efficiency, productivity, safety and quality.”

SMS is now gearing up for future expansion off the back of the new partnership, as Wakefield explains: “Our new status will increase turnover, and we intend to take on more staff to help grow the company. All the team are excited with the new deal, and it’s great that our achievements are  recognised  by a company like ABB as capable of meeting the high standards expected of a Value Provider”.

Gordon Watson, SMS Director, agrees, adding: “At a time where automation is being talked about at boardroom level in many businesses, this puts SMS in a great position to work with new and existing clients to develop new business in the UK, and help to bring ABB’s market-leading offering to more customers”.

The ABB Value Provider network  offers  UK customers access to ABB motors, variable speed drives and mechanical power transmission products together with a wide range of services, technical advice, training and bespoke contracts. Although each ABB Value Provider is an established and successful engineering company, all members of the network must undertake regular training to ensure its product, industry and technical knowledge is of  the standard required to deliver accredited sales, support and service in close cooperation with ABB.