News & Knowledge

We’re your source for automation news. Keep up with the latest industry updates and E Tech employee spotlights, as well as tips and guidance from our manufacturing experts.  

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E Tech Group Automation Engineer Shares Expertise on Control Engineering Magazine Webcast

E Tech Group Lead Automation Engineer, Kevin Tom, shared his knowledge and expertise on Best Practices for Effective Automation Applications for Control Engineering Magazine‘s webcast on August 16th, 2022, where he discussed the nuances of control system applications. Highlights from the Control Engineering Magazine Webcast During the webcast, Kevin discussed several key topics: When Should a Process be Automated? Kevin explains the criteria that a company should consider when weighing whether or not to apply automation to a process: In considering automation, goals and constraints must also be hashed out: These questions are all addressed early on in a project’s inception, as stakeholders hold the keys to the budget needed for an automation project. However, control system engineers should also be consulted early on to give insight into the specifics of these questions, like cost, ROI, and improvement caps. The Importance of Knowledge Sharing in Automation Automation is a fast-evolving field, and staying current with best practices, emerging technologies, and industry standards is essential. By participating in webcasts, podcasts, and public forums, engineers can: Applying Automation is as Much Planning as Execution Kevin Tom’s cohost noted that, for many manufacturers, delaying automation is no longer viable given labor constraints and growth targets. It may sound histrionic, but the labor shortage is a real and pervasive issue, especially when manufacturers are trying to scale. Increased production goals mean hiring more people. But there aren’t enough people to be found, and/or high turnover, and/or lack of qualified professionals, which all present labor bottlenecks.  Automation is the best (and only) solution to avoiding the obstacles associated with labor shortages. However, it isn’t as simple as design-build-implement. For the transition to automation to run smoothly, the system first needs to be analyzed and verified virtually. This is another reason control system integrators should be involved in … Continued

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E Tech Group Director of Operations Featured on CSIA Podcast

A recent episode of CSIA’s podcast: Talking Industrial Automation, featured E Tech Group’s Director of Operations, Cassy Gardner. A decade of experience in engineering, sales and project management in the Life Sciences field has allowed Cassy to leverage her engineering and MBA degrees to help clients achieve their automation goals. On the podcast, Gardner discusses how she came into the field of automation, citing a professor who inspired her during her senior year and connected her to the automation professionals at Banks Integration, which later became a part of E Tech Group. Let’s look at some of the questions Cassy tackled in her podcast interview and her main talking points: Q: What kinds of trends and challenges are you seeing in industrial automation right now? Q: What is DEI and why is it important? Q: What do you mean by diversity? Engineering is a male-dominated field, but are there other things diversity applies to in the field of industrial automation? Q: What are some consequences of a lack of DEI? Q: How can promoting DEI help in engineering and automation specifically? Q: What does a focus on DEI look like? Q: What about the claims that there just isn’t diversity in the STEM pool no matter how hard you look? Q: For people who want to know more about DEI in automation engineering, where should they start? Q: What is E Tech Group doing to improve DEI? Listen to the full webcast on CSIA Exchange.

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Life Sciences Sponsors ISPE 27th Annual Fun Day

E Tech Group’s Life Sciences team was a sponsor for ISPE San Francisco’s 27th Annual Fun Day, where professionals across the automation and pharmaceutical industry got to do a different kind of networking – at golf courses and wineries. We are honored to be involved with ISPE and enjoyed seeing and having a day of fun with so many of our partners and industry colleagues. About the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) ISPE is a non-profit organization that connects pharmaceutical knowledge with manufacturing processes, including things like food sciences and pharmaceutical automation. Their mission is to support and advance pharmaceutical engineering by providing professionals with resources for innovation, networking and industry advancement. The San Francisco Bay chapter has been a particularly active chapter since its inception in the early ‘90s. E Tech Group is proud to be an active participant and sponsor in ISPE’s San Francisco Bay’s initiatives. ISPE Event Overview and Purpose ISPE Fun Day is an annual event designed to foster community engagement, encourage learning, and provide hands-on experiences for participants of all ages interested in science, technology, and engineering. The event brings together professionals, students, and families to explore the world of life sciences and innovation in a fun, interactive environment. Community and Industry Impact Supporting ISPE Fun Day aligns with E Tech Group’s commitment to fostering innovation in life sciences and inspiring the next generation of engineers and automation professionals. At the event, our team actively engaged attendees through educational activities and demonstrations, highlighting the impact of life sciences automation. Participants had the opportunity to explore practical examples of automation technologies and learn how they contribute to efficiency, quality, and safety in the pharmaceutical industry. About E Tech Group: A Nationwide Leader in Pharmaceutical Automation E Tech Group is a leader in automation innovation. Our … Continued

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E Tech Group’s Challenge for Charity

Each month, E Tech Group’s internal Wellness Team promotes healthy living through a different internal “challenge” that focuses on one area of wellness. For July, we had a “Challenge for Charity.” Employees tracked their active minutes: The more activities and fitness minutes tracked, the more money we would donate to Revived Soldiers Ukraine. Over the course of the month, E Tech Group team members recorded over 45,000 active minutes! Overview of the Challenge The July challenge was an initiative that encouraged employees to participate in fun, wellness-driven activities while supporting a charitable cause. The program fosters collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. How E Tech Group Supports the Community By participating in our charity challenges, employees contribute to meaningful causes in the communities where we operate, reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility and employee engagement. Impact and Outcomes Proceeds and participation help fund local charities, create awareness for important causes, and strengthen team cohesion. E Tech Group encourages all team members to get involved and make a difference. We are honored to contribute to and support the efforts of Revived Soldiers Ukraine.

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GE Manufacturing Execution System & the Advantages of Proficy Plant Applications

GE’s automation software is some of the best on the market, and GE’s Proficy MES solution for plant automation is no different. GE Proficy Plant Applications optimize operations for all kinds of manufacturers – from food and beverage production to the aviation industry, with modules dedicated to process execution, quality and reliability. Data collection is extensive and integration/analysis lets operators focus on critical areas of their business knowing their systems are performing at best capacity. Advantages of this GE software include reduced waste and product recall, better decision-making with real-time reports, improved regulations compliance, the ability to change and specify processes, and a comprehensive view of the plant’s operations that allows better use of resources.