In Boxmeer, the Netherlands, MSD Animal Health is working on a brand-new factory for the production of veterinary medicines. ICT Group is involved as a system integrator and is responsible for the automation of the entire production process. The collaboration is the next step in the long-standing relationship between the two parties.
The new factory will have two production lines where veterinary medicines will be assembled in a safe and controlled environment. For these lines, MSD Animal Health is working with six different suppliers of production equipment, each with their own software. ICT Group was asked to integrate these systems into one uniform and efficient process environment, controlled via a PCS7 platform. “Every supplier has their own way of doing things. It is our job to ensure that all machines communicate with each other and work together seamlessly,” said Edward van Katwijk, Business Development Executive Life Sciences at ICT Group.
ICT Group was the obvious choice, says Richard de Backer, Deputy Director of Global Engineering Solutions at MSD Animal Health. ”They have a lot of experience with our systems and actively contribute ideas for a suitable solution right from the start. That close coordination is crucial in a project of this size.” ICT Group not only supplies the automation software, but also coordinates with the equipment suppliers to ensure that their systems meet MSD's functional requirements.
The factory in Boxmeer is one of MSD Animal Health's largest production sites worldwide. The new facility will enable the company to expand production capacity and meet the pharmaceutical industry's increasingly stringent quality standards. “It is a unique opportunity to help build a completely new OT infrastructure from the ground up,” said Van Katwijk. “We are combining existing expertise with innovative insights, laying a solid foundation for the future.”
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