Bosch and WHA Industrial Development Collaborating on Digital Transformation Opportunities Arise at Thailand Smart Manufacturing 2018

Monday 19 November 2018 17:34
- Bosch to showcase expertise as active Industry 4.0 solutions provider

- WHA Industrial Development is set to enhance its smart manufacturing facility

- Government's incentives to boost the smart manufacturing transformation

- FIBO fully confident in getting workforce ready for the digital era

Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, is bringing the benefits of smart manufacturing to Thailand. With the context of manufacturing in the world moving and changing so quickly, empowered by software and technology, Thailand has a great opportunity to make huge advances.

With extensive knowledge in technology and broad industrial experience, Bosch is capable of supporting and adding value to Thailand's next-generation industries, especially in the area of connectivity. The company has achieved momentum on technological expertise as a solutions provider as well as an active user of Industry 4.0 technology in its factories worldwide.

The implementation of smart manufacturing initiatives includes the deployment of embedded sensors in manufacturing machines to collect data on their operational status and performance. Smart manufacturing is a process that utilizes internet-connected machinery to monitor the overall production process. The main goal of smart manufacturing is to identify opportunities for automating manufacturing operations and to use data analytics to improve the overall performance of the manufacturing process.

To encourage further awareness and adoption of smart manufacturing, Bosch Thailand, together with WHA Industrial Development PLC, recently organized and hosted hundreds of participants from the public and private sectors at Smart Manufacturing 2018 to demonstrate connected solutions that can help industries improve in terms of efficiency and productivity for long-term development and application of digital technologies.

Highlighted technologies at Smart Manufacturing 2018 include systems integration of Industry 4.0 simulated with a live demo of a production line with real-time data collection, Smart Boiler, Smart Security Systems, Connected Tools, and much more.

Joseph Hong, Managing Director, Bosch Thailand, stressed the importance of working in partnership with the Thai government, adding, "Bosch is closely collaborating with the government and industry to accelerate adoption of smart manufacturing innovations in alignment with the Thailand 4.0 framework."

The Thai government is taking proactive measures to support smart manufacturing by focusing on next-generation industries to support Thailand's digital transformation and market competitiveness as part of the 20-year strategic plan. A major priority for the government is to upgrade the country's digital infrastructure and to promote a nationwide digital transformation across organizations. Thailand is ranked among the region's best in such areas as infrastructure and digital content, business and innovation, as well as digital network usage among individuals, private companies and public-sector agencies.

The epicenter of Thailand's growth in technology and smart manufacturing is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), where Bosch's manufacturing facilities are currently located. Massive infrastructure investments will enhance the area's connectivity with the rest of ASEAN and the world. The Thai government recently passed the Eastern Economic Corridor Bill. Under this law, the Thai government has earmarked 1.5 trillion baht ($45 billion) to develop and build on the success of the area.

Smart manufacturing can realize the promise and potential of Industry 4.0 and Thailand 4.0 by improving business processes and delivering higher productivity. In many cases, a tipping point has been reached, where Thai machinery builders and manufacturers are increasingly engaged in implementing smart manufacturing systems and processes. The net result of these efforts is making manufacturing and logistics more efficient, profitable, flexible and eco-friendly.

Mr. Wirat Tatsaringkansak, who oversees the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)'s Regional Investment and Economic Center 4 (Chonburi) also added, "The BOI's policies support the adoption of automation and technologies to improve manufacturing processes. At the same time, we encourage human resource development by offering incentives for advanced technology training."

Mr. David Nardone, Group Executive Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC, stated that, "In this environment, manufacturers need to increase their competitiveness by fine-tuning the production process in adding more automation and new technologies. WHA is strategically located in the Eastern Economic Corridor. At WHA's smart industrial estates with well-established infrastructure, we are ready to help realize the transformation of smart manufacturing in Thailand."

This view was reinforced by Associate Professor Dr. Djitt Laowattana, Founder of the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) and a member of the Executive Committee of the EEC Robotics Cluster, who added, "As a matter of fact, we always knew that automation and robotics systems could replace human-beings in dangerous places such as an overheated area or a very high, narrow place where robots can repeat their job actions with accuracy. We are on the right track and I am confident that Thailand has the capability of producing a competent workforce to enhance the smart manufacturing era."

The Smart Manufacturing event, organized by Bosch Thailand and WHA Industrial Development PLC, is a platform that brings together partners and stakeholders to discuss topics and share best practices and experiences on digital transformation. Moving forward, these exchanges will be instrumental in helping to promote smart manufacturing and in taking Thailand to the next level.

About Bosch in Thailand

Bosch's history in Thailand started in 1923. Bosch has diversified businesses in the country in all four of its business sectors of Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The company has three manufacturing plants for mobility solutions, a facility for the sales and services of hydraulic equipment and machinery in Rayong, and a plant, which offers solutions and services of packaging machinery in Chonburi. In 2017, Bosch in Thailand generated sales of 12.8 billion baht (335 million euros) and employed nearly 1,400 associates. Additional information is available at www.bosch.co.th and https://www.facebook.com/BoschThailand.

About Bosch Group

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 402,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). The company generated sales of 78.1 billion euros in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group's strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is "Invented for life." The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company's future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 64,500 associates in research and development.

About WHA Group

WHA Corporation PCL (WHA Group) is Thailand's leader in fully-integrated logistics and industrial facilities solutions. WHA's operations consist of four business areas in Logistics, Industrial Development, Utilities & Power and Digital Platforms with an integrated service offering that enables it to provide customers with turn-key solutions:

- Logistics – Customers can avail of built-to-suit factories, logistics facilities and distribution centers at all times.This innovative concept was pioneered in the market in 2003 by WHA Corporation Pcl., with more than 2.2 million sq.m. in leasable areas owned and managed assets at 19 strategic locations nationwide to date.

- Industrial Development – As a world-class industrial estate developer, WHA Industrial Development (WHA ID) offers strong and efficient infrastructure, utilities, industrial clusters and industrial services. WHA ID has 10+ operating industrial estates covering over 48,586 rai (7,774 hectares) with over 730 global customers, 1,108 land or factory contracts and $31.2 billion investment in Rayong, Chonburi and Saraburi, and mostly located in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

- Utilities and Power – As the sole supplier of water and other utility infrastructure, WHA Utilities and Power Plc. offers total security to industrial estate customers while enjoying strong partnerships with leading power operators. It supplies approximately 109 mm m3 of water per year and 510.5 operational equity MW.

- Digital Platform – In order to support its customers in their business intelligence operations, WHA Infonite Co., Ltd. actively provides comprehensive data solutions and platforms to leading multi-national and Thai companies.

Website: www.wha-group.com www.wha-industrialestate.com