Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

DRAGON BOAT RACE

Last Sunday a team of us took part in the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Race at Willen Lake (something I have to admit I never thought I would do!).

This had all started with three training sessions out on the water in the boat…. When we first saw the boat, considerably smaller and thinner than expected, everyone had a slight panic in their eye at the possibility of falling in. However, we took to the water and tried our hardest at paddling as quickly as we could go (not very fast). As I was sat at the front in the first training session I seemed to end up soaked and with a face full of water – yuk.

Finally the big day arrived.. Pink t-shirts were on and the Routeco Dirty Wet Oars (our incredible team name!) gathered for the first race. Lifejackets were passed around and we all grabbed our paddles.

The results of our three races:

Race 1 - 1st place
Race 2 - 2nd place
Race 3 - 3rd place

Each race was a massive burst of adrenaline and we all had a great time! Overall our team came in 25th place, not the winners but a good effort from all involved. The money raised on the day went to Willen Hospice.

 

 

Have a lovely weekend!

Helen

Routeco v Rockwell Automation - Cricket Match Report!

Thursday the 20th of June saw the annual Routeco V Rockwell cricket match for the Kelvin Kirby memorial trophy.

Routeco lead by Steve Robinson won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Colin Wayman and Andrew Thomas made short work of the Rockwell attack, followed by the same from Richard Webb, Duncan Bates, Ian Stewart and Sean Evans. The Routeco innings was seen out by Steve Robinson and Chris Coe eventually finishing on 146 for 4.

 

Routeco then proceeded to take wickets with (some fine bowling from all concerned) at regular intervals holding back the Rockwell attack and leading Routeco their first victory

Overall the game was played in great spirit!

 

Here’s looking forward to next years game and another Routeco win.

 

 

 

Rockwell Automation on the Move - TECMAN Winner!

We attended the Rockwell Automation on the Move events which were held in Cardiff, Crawley and Durham.

The events were a great success, and we hope that everyone who attended found the day useful. Many of the Rockwell Automation Encompass partners were there to provide information on products and to give customers an insight into how their products fit in with the Allen-Bradley products.

Our stand included a 'Tec-Man' game, with the highest score winning an iPad mini! We certainly saw many different techniques used to try to reach the top spot!

And the winner is....

Michal Lukanowski who managed an impressive 2681 points!

Congratulations!

 

 

It was great to see so many of you there - if you would like any additional information about Routeco, please visit our website or call 0370 607 1000.

Routeco GesmbH celebrate the opening of their new building

The Routeco Austrian Branch has just celebrated it's official opening of their new building! Routeco GesmbH moved from Linz to Traun, due to the increasing expansion and requirement for more space.

The official opening was attended by all employees and the Routeco Directors travelled over to Austria from the UK. It also involved Rockwell Automation recognising the partnership with Routeco GesmbH.

 

Everyone had a great time and all the staff at Routeco GesmbH are settling in to their new building!

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

North v South

So last week I met a few people and they were asking me where I am from and where I go to university… When I told them that I am from Northampton but go to university in Sheffield it started my all-time favourite debate...

The great North vs South!

Best question: What do you have on your chips?
Cheese? Curry Sauce? Or Gravy?

Most annoying question I get asked whilst in Sheffield: Why do you put an ‘R’ in Bath, Grass etc.?
This has caused hours of debating of which is correct!

Is it a bap, roll, barm, tea cake or breadcake? (The latter left me completely perplexed when I first came across this)

I try to fit in when up North – I use some of the local lingo and have tried the different foods (gravy on my chips) but after my first term in Sheffield I came home for Christmas with an accent that was something else… I started missing out random vowels and each time I said no it seemed to come out as “Nuooooo”.

I absolutely love both the North and the South, and count myself lucky that I have experienced living in both.

Have a great weekend!

Helen

We're Hiring!

We currently have a number of vacancies across our branches. Here is an overview of our current opportunities.

Branch Supervisor - Dartford

Internal Technical Sales - Manchester

Internal Technical Sales - Dudley

Internal Sales Engineer - Manchester

External Sales Engineer - Derby

Internal Technical Sales - Leeds

External Sales Engineer - Peterborough

External Sales Engineer - Leeds

For more information, or if you would like to apply, please click on the job role.

PanelView Plus 6 400 and 600 Terminals from Allen-Bradley

The new Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 6 400 and 600 terminals may not have changed much on the outside, but inside they contain a whole host of improvements and upgraded hardware components that will help them to deliver even greater performance and application flexibility.

Available in two primary variants, the full featured PanelView Plus 6 and the cost-optimised PanelView Plus 6 Compact, they are ideal for applications that require the ability to monitor, control and display information in dynamic ways. With an easy to use graphical interface, operators are able to quickly understand machine status and make better-informed decisions quickly. Enhancements include improved HMI screen transition times and simple backup and restore thanks to the ability to store a single image on an SD card an then clone it to multiple terminals. Operator troubleshooting is also much easier thanks to the ability to load maintenance manuals directly on the terminal and then bookmark important pages and tie them to critical alarms, improving the user's ability to quickly identify and resolve fault codes.

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

London Calling

Tomorrow I am off to London to see 'We Will Rock You'. Having seen this a few years ago, I would highly recommend this musical! I am looking forward to having a sing-a-long with the Queen tracks!

I have to admit that going to the capital does seem to throw me into full tourist mode - I get my camera out at any opportunity, and usually end up coming home with a trinket such as a "I Love London" t-shirt (which is only ever worn for sports!)

Some of my favourite places to go in London are:
Covent Gardens
Oxford Street
Outside Buckingham Palace/Along the mall
The Aquarium

However, the time has come where I am looking for new places to go... so please let me know your suggestions! Parks, museums, tourist attractions, bars, restaurants...anything!

Hope you have a fun weekend!

Helen

Cablecraft's Brand New e-Newsletter!

Routeco are proud to share the launch issue of the Cablecraft e-Newsletter. As one of the main distributors for Cablecrafts’ creative wiring solutions, which include Easi-Lok Cable Markers and Betaduct Cable Trunking, we are delighted to share this information with you.

The Cablecraft e-Newsletter includes Control Panel Trunking, new products available, and company updates.

You can view the newsletter here.

To view our Cablecraft products, please click here and to view the Betaduct products please click here.

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000

Taking Control of Process Solutions with the Tofino from MTL

The Tofino industrial security solution from MTL is a unique solution that addresses the important issue of protecting industrial networks from modern cyber-security attacks.  PLCs, DCS and SCADA systems have been more frequently exposed to attacks from viruses and hackers over the past decade.

The Tofino industrial security solution is designed to protect industrial networks by deploying security appliances directly in front of control device, such as PLCs an HMI interfaces. This technique allows a 'defence in depth' strategy to be integrated with traditional plant floor security measures. Unlike traditional IT firewall solutions, Tofino is designed with the environment, staff capabilities and needs of industry in mind.

Key features:

• Easy to install - simply attach to power and connect two network cables
• Can be controlled from a central management platform
• Flexible to adapt to a small plant with a single PLC, or meet the needs of a multi-national organisation with thousands of critical devices scattered around the globe
• Layered security system

View the datasheet here

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000

Rittal Bus on Tour - Glasgow!

The Rittal Bus is on Tour and It’s coming to our Glasgow Branch!

Don’t miss out on this ‘drop-in’ opportunity to:

• Have hands on experience with a wide range of Rittal products
• Meet the Rittal Account Manager, on-hand to answer any questions
• Have an overview of Rittal cooling offering
• Pick up selection guides and product literature to take away

The bus will be at:

Routeco Ltd,

Fairfield Place,

College Milton Industrial Estate,

East Kilbride,

Glasgow,
G74 5LP

10am – 3pm

Thursday 20^th June 2013

 

If you require any more information regarding the event please contact john.yeats@routeco.com / 01355 294888

Thank Routeco It's Friday (TRIF)

20K4CRUK

I am part of a team at Routeco, who have made it our mission to raise £20,000 for Cancer Research UK (20K4CRUK).

 

We have set ourselves 18 months to achieve this goal and have a series of challenges and activities along the way.

Where we are today….

 

Stage 1 of 20K4CRUK was an internal ‘Kick Off’ raffle – with the generous help from our customers and suppliers we put on an incredible raffle which raised over £2000!!! A great start to achieving the £20,000 challenge.

 

Stage 2 is about to commence. It is all about getting involved. Staff at Routeco all over the country will be getting involved raising money by participating in half marathons, Race for Life, bake-offs and rumours of a mankini car wash (let’s hope it stays as a rumour!!!).

 

Stage 3 is the mumma of activities, the team start off by travelling up t’North to embark on the Three Peaks Challenge! Training will commence shortly with 6am sessions every day, including hill reps, press ups, squats, you know the usual morning activity……

Look out for some YouTube vids of ‘training’ sessions in the not too distant future!

 

On a bit more of a serious note and the drive for us all….

….cancer will affect 1 out of 3 of us at one point in our lives and we have the power to fund the scientist, the research, the medicine to decrease that number. The £20,000 that we will raise can fund a new junior doctor or part fund new scientist. The impact of this could save lives.

 

This is our page, have a look around http://www.justgiving.com/company/routeco We are 100% committed to exceeding our goals and with your support we know we can succeed and smash through the 20K4CRUK target.

 

If you can help support us, send us your ideas (the crazier the better!) please get in contact givingback@routeco.com

 

One life – lets help others live it.

 

Have a lovely sunny weekend.

 

 

Ashleigh

873M General Purpose Ultrasonic Sensor

Rockwell Automation introduces the Allen-Bradley 873M family of general purpose ultrasonic sensors. These feature sensing distances between 30 an 80mm, the 873M family compliments the existing Rockwell ultrasonic sensor offerings by providing a more cost-effective solution for shorter range applications. The sensors are excellent for standard packaging and assembly applications, but they are also ideal for sensing many of the targets that can prove to be challenging for photoelectric sensors, such as clear, shiny, or non-reflective objects.

Key features:

• Nickel-plated brass 18 mm cylindrical or right-angle threaded barrel provides ease of mounting and reduces installation time
• Analog model's feature 0...10 VDC or 4...20mA
• Discrete (PNP) models feature normally-open/normally close functions
• Window teaching allows sensing range to be defined inside a user-taught sensing area for both discrete and analog models. The user can achieve superior background suppression
• Teaching of the sensor can be accomplished by remote teach or optional programming cable
• Bright LEDs allow the user to monitor power, output and margin from any direction - reducing time required for setup and troubleshooting
• Features an IP67 rating for harsh-duty environments

Purchase the 873M here

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000