New horizons in automation technology

NEW HORIZONS IN

AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

Insta Automation is part of the Insta Group of Finland and a market leader in automation and instrumentation technology. Philip Yorke spoke to Jarno Pitkänen, the company’s director, Installation Division, about its diverse range of services and move into the nuclear power sector.

Insta Group Oy is a family-owned business that is dedicated to building and maintaining a safe and competitive society. The group was founded by Finn Mattsson in Tampere, Finland, in 1960 and consists of four companies: Insta Automation; which specialises in industrial automation, Insta DefSec, which develops critical situation awareness and data security; and in another sector, Insta ILS provides life-cycle services for the aviation industry. In addition, Insta Innovation focuses on virtual technology and other innovative high-tech services.

In the early days, Insta Automation began by focusing on specific industrial automation projects and the installation of instrumentation equipment. Since that time the company has been able to build upon its in-depth expertise to serve a diverse range of industries in sectors such as process automation, water treatment, manufacturing and stage automation. Insta Automation’s clients represent a broad range of business sectors that include energy, refinery, water treatment, pulp and paper and the industrial process industries. In 2013, the Insta Group recorded sales of more than €84 million and currently employs over 750 people.

Optimising reliability worldwide

Insta Automation provides reliable, highquality process electrification and instrumentation installations to the highest standards. The company’s installation process includes the commissioning and testing of the complete installation, which in turn makes it possible for Insta Automation to fully guarantee its products. The company’s broad range of services include the installation of automation and instrumentation, control boxes, electrical installations, commissioning and testing, and maintenance.

Insta Automation has built a team of professionals that is unrivalled in its niche marketplace. These highly qualified specialists are focused on disciplines relating to manufacturing plants, production processes and operational systems. The company is both client and service driven and adopts a flexible approach that is backed by a reputation for completing projects on time and within budget.

Pitkanen said, “The European market is not a buoyant one at the present time and is even influenced by the current sanctions incurred by Russia. However, while some sectors are not seeing any significant growth, the energy

sector remains a steady growth market for us as more and more biomass plants are being commissioned as part of a global strategy to reduce global warming. However, the nuclear power sector is one of the few that is not price driven but quality and safety driven. This is one area where we are becoming more active and are in discussions with a number of contractors in Finland.”

Pitkanen added, “Fortunately our engineering division has a lot of future work on its books which is a good sign for the future. Having recently purchased another leading Finnish company which specialises in the oil refinery sector, called Mattila Porvoo, we remain open to further acquisitions if the synergy is right. Our group has also invested in the building of a new, modern office complex which has just opened in August this year and will add yet further to the group’s overall efficiency.”

Prestige installations

Insta Automation continues to win prestige contracts in the energy sector and its latest contract is no exception. The company in association with Tammervoima of Finland has signed a contract concerning the delivery of instrumentation installations to Tarastejärvi waste to energy power plant in Tampere, Finland. The new state-of-the-art boiler will serve as a base unit to meet the district heating power needs of Finland’s Pirkanmaa municipality.

Furthermore, Insta Automation has also provided electrification and instrumentation installations to a major bio-oil production plant at the Fortum Joensuu power plant and has also completed the delivery of instrumentation

installations at a new waste-to-energy power plant at Vantaa Langmossebergen in Finland.

Today, Insta Automation’s solutions cover all areas of the automation industry and its maintenance and repair services ensure the efficient lifecycle of its clients’ facilities. As a customer of Insta Automation you receive 24/7 emergency and remote access support. This is in addition to full documentation management and comprehensive automation spare parts services, all of which are designed to guarantee uninterrupted operations for customers. n

For further details of Insta Automation’s unique range of products and services visit: www.insta.fi

Cost Reduction with SME GmbH, Germany

We offer you the tangible savings through optimal purchasing, logistic and outsourcing strategy.

We supply you with the widest possible range of industrial materials, products and assemblies: mechanics, electrics, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics or anything else needed by your business.

Our worldwide sourcing and manufacturing bring an efficient solution to your procurement and secure the continuous cost reduction and process improvement.

info@smegroup.eu www.smegroup.eu