Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos is to replace wired connections with a private 5G network from Swedish vendor Ericsson and local operator TDC NET at its production plant in Bjerringbro, north of Aarhus, in Denmark. The project is a trial-run, with a view to a broader 5G-enabled Industry 4.0 deployment across its factories.
Grundfos wants to be an “Industry 4.0 pioneer”, according to the companies involved. The Bjerringbro trial will look to leverage low-latency private 5G to increase productivity and efficiency in its pump and water solutions business. It will be geared towards industrial automation, including with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) on the factory floor.
The trio have established an ‘innovation hub’, they said, combining TDC NET’s mobile network and Ericsson’s private 5G equipment. The hub will be used, also, to develop Industry 4.0 partnerships among Danish enterprises and research organisations.
Fredrik Östbye, group vice president and head of the new lab at Grundfos, commented: “Innovation is an integrated part of Grundfos. This goes for developing and refining our pumps and solutions as well as our services. The same applies to the ways we work. We are always ready to explore ways to improve what we do. By introducing a 5G network in one of our plants, we set out to investigate new opportunities in industrial production.”
TDC NET appointed Ericsson for its 5G radio access (RAN) and core networks in March 2019.
Michael Fränkle, executive vice president and head of networks at TDC NET, said the arrangement will see Grundfos supplied with “its own industrial 5G network”. He described the move as an “industry first in Denmark”.
Fränkle said: “5G is essential for the future of industry, where digital and smart technologies will replace ageing production methods. We look forward to delivering the infrastructure of the future and driving the digitalization of Danish society supported by our nationwide roll-out of 5G.”
Åsa Tamsons, head of technologies and new businesses at Ericsson, said: “Ericsson is leading the way in 5G in Europe. Through the joint Innovation Hub with TDC, we bring our global expertise to Danish industry. We’re excited to begin the journey to transform Grundfos’ production facilities into truly smart wireless factories and support their digitalization strategy.”
