March 16, 2016
KSE: A leading specialist in dosing, weighing and automation technologies
KSE Process Technology speaks to eFeedLink about the company''s latest developments.
eFeedLink: How has the global feed milling industry changed since KSE was established, particularly with regard to dosing, weighing and automation technologies?
In recent decades, the animal feed industry has made giant steps forward in process automation. At the same time, the business has globalised and consolidated, meaning competition has become fiercer. And in like all industries, there is constant pressure to reduce costs without compromising quality. KSE helps meet these challenges with tailor-made systems and solutions that not only satisfy current production needs but can also be cost-effectively upgraded as business grows.
What do you think are some of the biggest concerns of your customers today?
Two of the areas where producers can increase productivity- that is the speed, and accuracy of dosing and batch weighing systems- tend to work against each other. More accuracy costs more time, and conversely, higher speed is usually at the cost of accuracy.
We believe that the best solution is to create synergy between the three critical system elements: the batch weighing system, the dosing equipment and the control software. It is the combination of these three elements and how they interact and work with each other that will take the technology forward in the coming years. ALFRA batch dosing and weighing equipment is already at the forefront of the technology in that it can achieve very accurate results from a few grams to several tonnes.
In 2014-15, the global feed and livestock industry has generally not performed well. How has KSE worked with your customers to improve their profit margins?
Since our dosing and weighing machines can dose/weigh with accuracy up to the gram and prevents contamination, they handle expensive ingredients in an optimal way. Our process automation software gives in-depth insight in the production process to ensure, among other things, optimal silo storage (and thus prevents too much stock of expensive components).
What is your insight into the latest trends in "Big Data" management in the animal feed industry?
You can read our blog about big data management for an answer to this question: http://www.cnchemicals.com/ or view our webinar about big data: http://www.cnchemicals.com/ (password: bigdata)
Tell us more about your ALFRA and PROMAS product lines.
KSE is a supplier of ALFRA dosing and weighing systems – the machines with which companies in the powder and granulates processing industry can measure any product safely, flexibly and efficiently. This applies to micro-, medium and macro-components in all quantities. The dose range of an ALFRA machine may vary from one gram to 10,000 kilograms. KSE supplies machines for each step within a process: from the intake of raw materials to solutions for the distribution of finished product. Purchasing an ALFRA machine is a good long-term investment. The systems usually have a fifty-year service life.
The heart of the ALFRA dosing and weighing systems is the ALFRA dosing slide. This dosing method is the most versatile solution for dosing and discharging powders and granulates. Available in a wide range of sizes and configurations, it combines very accurate dosing and high capacity with extremely reliable operation.
Separately, KSE has developed the first integrated factory automation for the animal feed and premix and feed mineral industry- PROMAS ST. It is modular and scalable so that users can start small and spread investments. The system is open, and integrates machine control within a complete factory automation system. A structured SQL database and an object library stores 40 years of KSE''s process expertise.
PROMAS ST is hardware independent, versatile and future proof. High-level languages hugely simplify programming, particularly important for plants with thousands of I/O points.
The system stores every activity and event for every dosing, weighing, milling, grinding and transport machine, with a time stamp. All batches are labelled for track and trace to store batch, ingredients, suppliers, operator, and parameters like temperature, humidity, pressure and energy consumption. This "big data" makes reporting easy and accurate. And accurate registration, even in complex transports with multiple destinations, ensures effective silo occupation and prevents unexpected empty dosing silos.
Is it a strategic decision for KSE to focus only on dosing, weighing and automation technologies?
Yes, it is. This focus is also our strength. No company can compete against 80 years of experience in the dosing and weighing process. By focussing, we are able to innovate and deliver a broad range of dosing and weighing machines. We are able to deliver machines who dose and weigh five grams to 10,000 kilograms. So the assortment is huge through which we can help every single customer who has a dose and weigh challenge. Since we have over 40 years of experience in the total production process of animal feed, we are able to develop automation software that fits this particular industry.
What is the best-selling/most popular product for KSE?
The Flexible Component Dosing system (FCD) is our top product. It''s a micro- and small component dosing system. That said, our marketing focus is on the total range of dosing and weighing systems and automation. This is because we don''t know upfront which dosing and weighing machine a customer needs and we want them to know that it doesn''t matter. What kind of system you need, ALFRA has one for you.
How do you see your product offerings change in the future to meet customers'' expectations?
Our customers need to be more and more flexible in terms of delivery and recipe. Our systems need to support this demand. This means changing recipes fast, planning orders in the most optimal way possible, and producing fast while maintaining quality feed.
Where are the major markets for KSE''s products?
Our major market is animal feed (95% of our revenue), with niche markets in compound feed, pet food, aqua feed and premix/minerals. The growth forecast in general is in micro-dosing in all these markets.
How would you offer after-sales services in each country you operate?
By working with local partners and having a 24/7 service department who solves 95% of the errors by remote desktop. We have customers worldwide where we have a VPN connection with, to ensure 24/7 service. Through an innovative multi-language tool, the customer sees everything in their own language and our service engineers in their language. This simplifies and quickens the solving process.
A brief history of KSE
1933
The factory of ALFRA weighing instruments is established by Mr. Albert and Mr. Francis.
1973
The Smulders family founded Kempenservice Electrotechniek B.V.
1975
The first major customer is welcomed from the animal feed sector- Coppens Animal Nutrition from Hoogeloon, the Netherlands.
1988
PROMAS automation software is launched in order to fully control the production process for the customers.
1993
KSE became the market leader in the Netherlands and Belgium in the field of industrial automation in the animal feed industry.
1997
ALFRA Doseer- en Weegsystemen B.V. is acquired, a specialist in dosing and weighing dry solids.
1999
The business activities move to Bladel, next to the property of ALFRA Dosing and Weighing Systems.
2009
All business units now operate from one single company- KSE Process Technology B.V.
2013
KSE celebrates her 40th anniversary. The company has 80 years of experience in the field of ALFRA dosing and weighing systems and 25 years in PROMAS automation software.
2015
KSE awarded the first "Golden Dosing Slide" to the customer with the best functioning ALFRA dosing and weighing machine.