The CLPA sees surge in global uptake of its network technologies, as installed base approaches 30 million

The number of devices communicating via CC-Link IE TSN and CC-Link IE open industrial Ethernet as well as CC-Link fieldbus has increased by over 12 per cent in the last year, reaching nearly 30 million installed nodes worldwide. This further attests to the on-going popularity of these network solutions, already de facto standards in Asia, as well as the leadership position of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA). This success is attributable to the organisation’s technological expertise, which is at the heart of the high-quality products from CLPA’s partners that leverage the most promising innovations.

Over the past few years, the CLPA has witnessed average annual growth figures of well over 2 million new devices annually. With over 3.3 million devices installed globally between March 2019 and March 2020, the acceptance for the organisation’s technologies is accelerating.

The number of partners, manufacturers and certified products has increased substantially too, confirming the same trend of CLPA’s rising popularity. Currently, there are over 3,800 partner companies worldwide and more than 2,100 available products compatible with CC-Link IE TSN, CC-Link IE or CC-Link from over 340 manufacturers. The figures clearly depict the CLPA as one of the undisputed market leaders in open automation networks.

John Browett, General Manager at CLPA Europe, comments: “We are delighted to see a steady surge in demand for our technologies. The uptake continues to grow at a double-digit pace as an ever-increasing number of users come to appreciate the benefits of the state-of-the-art technologies we offer.”

One of these is CC-Link IE TSN, which offers enhanced deterministic, real-time communications. “This latest addition to the CLPA’s family of open automation networks has enjoyed immediate success as the first open industrial Ethernet technology to combine gigabit bandwidth with Time-Sensitive Networking, or TSN. These features make CC-Link IE TSN a must to implement Industry 4.0 applications. Therefore, it’s no surprise that forward-looking companies are already adopting it,” explains Browett.

The ability of the CLPA to identify which innovations will be crucial to support futureproof industrial communications, such as TSN, and act as a pioneer in their implementation has been one of the key elements contributing to the adoption of its technologies worldwide. Originally used mostly in the Asian market, the company’s solutions are now widely common in Europe and North America too.

To support this sustained global growth, CLPA Europe and Americas are strengthening their collaboration, ultimately benefitting their local and international users. As a result of this closer collaboration, the two branches are now merging their Twitter and YouTube channels, in order to offer a unified brand with cohesive messages.

Thomas J. Burke, Global Strategic Advisor at CLPA Americas, explains: “We genuinely believe in the importance of establishing a relationship of trustworthiness and familiarity with our new and existing vendors, machine builders and end users. This is why, as we continue to grow globally, it is essential for us to act as one, strong unit, independently of where our offices are located geographically. We look forward to showcasing our leading expertise by providing high-quality content on industrial automation and networking on our new, joint channels.”