Beckhoff

Beckhoff Automation GmbH is a medium-sized, internationally acting company located in Verl, Westphalia, Germany. It was established in 1980 as a business unit of the Elektro Beckhoff GmbH, an electrical installation and retail company which was founded in 1953 by Arnold Beckhoff Senior. Until 2005 the business unit “New Automation Technology” operated under the name Beckhoff Industrie Elektronik (Beckhoff Industrial Electronics).

In 2005 the company Elektro Beckhoff GmbH has been restructured into three companies:

* Beckhoff Automation GmbH
(PC-based automation technology)
* Elektro Beckhoff GmbH
(Building services engineering)
* Beckhoff Technik und Design GmbH
(Retail of high-end entertainment electronics, light systems, home appliances)

PC-based automation technology

The company Beckhoff Automation GmbH produces automation technology in different performance categories, from single components up to system solutions. The company focuses on PC-based control technology with the segments Industrial PC, Embedded PC, fieldbus components (bus terminals), drive technology and automation software. With EtherCAT, launched in 2003, the company initiated a real-time Ethernet for system control.

Company data

In 2007 the company generated a turnover of 232 Million Euro, with an export share of more than 40 %. The actual number of employees amounts to 1050. The Headquarters in Verl is the location for all central departments. The domestic sales department is supplemented by subsidiaries all over Germany.

On the international market, the company is represented by subsidiaries in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Through co-operation with partners, Beckhoff is represented in more than 60 countries.

Company history

* 1982: P1000 – single-board motion controller
* 1986: PC Control – first PC-based machine controller
* 1989: Lightbus – fieldbus utilising optical fiber
* 1990: All-in-one PC motherboard
* 1995: Bus terminal technology – fieldbus technology in terminal block format
* 1996: TwinCAT – real-time software package under Windows with PLC and Motion Control functions
* 1998: Control Panel – remote IPC Control Panels
* 2002: CX1000 – modular Embedded PCs for DIN rail mounting
* 2003: EtherCAT – real-time Ethernet fieldbus system
* 2005: TwinSAFE – safety solution for the Bus Terminal system
* 2005: AX5000 – EtherCAT Servo Drive
* 2006: XFC – eXtreme Fast Control Technology
* 2007: Industrial Motherboards – Made in Westfalen

Range of applications

Beckhoff products are used for the automation of machines and plants as well as for building automation. The company creates standard and customized solutions for diverse applications in industries like:

* Automatic Assembly Machines
* Automotive Industries
* Bio-Technology
* Energy Industry
* General Machine Building
* Medical engineering
* Packaging Machines
* Presses
* Process technology
* Semiconductor Manufacturing
* Test facilities
* Transportation and Logistics
* Water management
* Window Manufacturing Machines
* Woodworking Machines
* information technology

References

* [http://www.beckhoff.com/english/press/pr2008.htm Financial statement press release 2007]
* [http://www.pc-control.net/pdf/032007/pcc_0307_interview_e.pdf Ronald Heinze: En route to Scientific Automation]

External links

* [http://www.beckhoff.com Official website]