Finland-based Outokumpu, a manufacturer of stainless steel, has selected IT services provider Logica to bring in new flexibility and extend its product range.
New value-added steels will allow Outokumpu to even out production loads during economic fluctuations. Logica will enable the expansion of the melt shop and hot rolling production control system of Outokumpu's key plant in Tornio, Finland to help it manage its product portfolio effectively.
To accommodate the additional capacity provided by improvements such as a new slab grinding machine, Logica will develop a manufacturing execution system (MES) to complement the existing production system that it currently provides. The new system will be ramped up in phases, entering full production by August 2010.
Esa Vapa, IT applications manager for Tornio works at Outokumpu, said: "The MES will control key plant functions such as our slab grinding machine, production automation and reporting. This new system will also enhance plant management of slab logistics, through control of some of our key automation systems, such as our new roller table together with old outgoing automated train, during transition phase."
Henry Nieminen, managing director of Logica Finland, said: "Together with customers, we are able to combine our expertise with industry needs to develop solutions that make a difference to the end consumer. We have a long standing partnership with Outokumpu and the Tornio steel plant project is just the latest application of our MES expertise."