News & Knowledge

We were honored to have THREE presentations during this year’s Rockwell Automation Fair.  E Tech Group team members presented on:   We were also excited to exhibit and engage with colleagues, clients, and prospective partners at our booth on Wednesday and Thursday. We hope everyone had as wonderful a time as we did, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year! And not to be overlooked, we had a blast hosting our own Happy Hour at Lord Hobo on Wednesday evening. Key Themes from Rockwell Automation Fair 2023 Across sessions and conversations at Rockwell Automation Fair 2023, a few consistent themes stood out, particularly around how automation strategies are adapting to support more complex and data-driven production environments. One recurring focus was the need for better alignment between control systems, data platforms, and operational workflows. As facilities expand and processes become more interconnected, gaps between systems can create challenges in visibility, troubleshooting, and long-term sustainability. There was also strong interest in how industrial automation in life sciences is evolving to support scalability without sacrificing compliance. Attendees were looking for ways to standardize system design while still accommodating the unique requirements of different processes and products. Continuing the Conversation on Life Sciences Automation Events like Rockwell Automation Fair highlight how quickly automation technologies and expectations are evolving, especially in industries where precision and compliance are critical. If you weren’t able to attend or want to revisit specific topics, you can explore additional content on life sciences automation, industrial cybersecurity, and system integration strategies across our blog. You can also refer back to our event preview post for more context on the sessions and focus areas leading into the event. Thank you to our partners at Rockwell for a great week of education, connection, and DISCOVERY!

Rockwell Automation Platinum Partner E Tech Group to present three educational sessions and demonstrate oligonucleotide automation in booth #232 at Automation Fair in Boston, MA, November 6-9, 2023. West Chester, OH – E Tech Group, a leader in providing high-quality automation, control, and engineering services for industrial clients and a Rockwell Automation Platinum Partner, today announced the company will be leading three separate presentations at the 2023 Rockwell Automation Fair and exhibiting in booth #232. Automation Fair will take place November 6-9, 2023, in Boston, MA, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Automation Presentations E Tech Group will host three different educational sessions at the show. The sessions will highlight advancements in pharmaceutical automation, control systems integration, and industrial data platforms in regulated life sciences environments: Pharmaceutical Automation Case Study: Tuesday, 7 Nov, 11:00am On Tuesday, November 7, at 11:00 am ET, Vivek Puthezath, E Tech Vice President of Northeast Operations, will be presenting “Oligonucleotide Production Automation Improves Yield and Consistency for a Pharmaceutical Manufacturer”, a case study on manufacturing oligonucleotide pharmaceutical drugs, converting a highly manual process into a fully automated system. Rockwell PlantPAx & Life Science Automation, Tuesday, 7 Nov, 1:00pm On Tuesday, November 7, at 1:00 pm ET, “PlantPAx 5.0 Makes Oligos Go! Accelerating the Pace of Life Science Research” will be presented by Umar Karim, PMP, P.E., TUV FSE, E Tech Senior Automation Engineer I, where he will instruct attendees on how PlantPAx 5.0 was used for a new oligonucleotide production facility. Industry 4.0 Edge & Cloud Computing, Tuesday, 7 Nov, 1:00pm & Thursday, 9 Nov, 11:00am The third presentation will be given twice by Jeff Allen, E Tech Application Engineering Manager, and Steve Scheffler, E Tech Engineering Manager, both on Tuesday, November 7, at 1:00 pm ET and Thursday, November 9, at 11:00 am ET. Jeff and … Continued

Manufacturers are implementing more technology to provide efficiency, consistency and profitability. However, as the number of devices on the network continually increases, so do the implications of the threat of a cyberattack. Industrial control systems (ICS) and operations technology (OT) are inherently vulnerable to cyberthreats like hackers or ransomware that can target crucial industrial processes. The effects go far beyond data breaches and have the power to upend entire industries, jeopardize security and even put lives in danger. It follows, then, that identifying and understanding security risks within your operational environment is key to minimizing the vulnerability of your control systems and plant network. This article details best practices for managing cybersecurity risks both on the floor and in the cloud. Why Plant Floor Cybersecurity Matters Today As industrial facilities become more connected, the convergence of IT and OT networks introduces new vulnerabilities. Modern manufacturing relies on real-time data and automation systems, making plant floor cybersecurity essential for both operational continuity and regulatory compliance. Threats such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access can disrupt production, compromise sensitive data, and impact a business’s reputation. By understanding these risks, manufacturers can better protect their equipment, processes, and critical information. Identifying Risks from Every Angle When identifying risks and factors to consider for OT/ICS environments, the following are often noted as being most critical: As this list shows, OT/ICS cybersecurity risks are not limited to the digital sphere. That’s why all-encompassing cybersecurity measures are increasingly necessary to reduce these risks as industries place a greater reliance on connected systems. Businesses need to understand that cybersecurity is a key component of their overall risk management strategy. It’s not just an IT issue. Emerging Cybersecurity Threats in Manufacturing Industrial networks are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to the high value of operational data and control … Continued

Acquisition adds to E Tech Group’s growing expertise and reach into the Data Center and Food & beverage industries E Tech Group announced today the acquisition of Automation Group, a California-headquartered system integrator specialized in automation, robotics and cybersecurity. Terms were not disclosed. Automation Group will operate under the name “Automation Group, an E Tech Group Company.” Founder Brad Stegmann will step down from his CEO role but will consult with the business during the transition. Automation Group President Randy Ruano will remain with the company, and no significant employment changes are anticipated in any of Automation Group’s locations. Automation Group’s 12 locations are spread throughout northern and southern California, as well as Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Williamsburg, Virginia. Together, the combined company is one of the largest independent automation engineering and system integration firms in North America, with approximately 30 locations and 600 team members. This is E Tech’s second acquisition in 2023, capping off another year of strategic growth that began with the acquisition of E-Volve Systems in February. “With the addition of Automation Group, E Tech Group expands its market-leading positions in automation of Life Sciences, Data Centers, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Food and Beverage industries,” said E Tech Group CEO Matt Wise. “The addition also brings significant cybersecurity expertise, accelerating our rapid growth in this segment and enabling us to better serve our clients with IT/OT vulnerability assessments and remediation.” Said Stegmann and Ruano in a joint statement: “We have tremendous respect for the E Tech Group platform and are confident this will be a seamless transition that will quickly pay dividends for clients of both companies. We’re also excited about the career opportunities members of the Automation Group team will enjoy as part of a larger, fast-growing organization like E Tech Group.” About E … Continued