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Division Keller

Innovation built on tradition - since 1894

Keller Automation Processes

We are experts in highly efficient bulk material processes

Keller, a plant and machinery manufacturer based in Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck, Westphalia, with a history spanning over 130 years, is one of the region’s leading companies. For many years, Keller has been developing machinery, products and solutions of the highest standard, not only for the building materials sector but also for other industries.

‘We shape the automation technology of the future’ – this mission statement is also the focus and driving force behind the Keller Automation Processes business unit.

Founded over 50 years ago and repositioned in 2018, Keller Automation Processes has since developed into an international specialist in the automation of bulk material processes. The complete plant control and visualisation of production processes, right through to order management, is planned and implemented here by a highly dedicated team. Keller Automation Processes has made a name for itself particularly in the field of automation for grain mills and compound feed plants, both in Germany and Europe, as well as through projects ranging from Russia to South Africa.

As the name of the business division suggests, its speciality lies in the implementation of intelligent, digitalised automation solutions. Through learning and self-optimising processes, the aim is always to increase production output – particularly when modernising existing plants – and thereby achieve maximum plant efficiency.

‘Fully automated processes and seamless traceability’ – this is what sets Keller Automation Processes apart. Keller Automation Processes implemented an extensive project, for example, at one of Europe’s leading specialists in wheat-based products, the Crespel & Deiters Group, at its headquarters in Ibbenbüren. Around 320,000 tonnes of wheat are processed here into wheat-based raw materials each year. A new system for the fully automated reception and loading of raw materials and finished products was designed and implemented. The focus here was on converting previous analogue processes to fully digitalised processes. This includes:

  • Centralised integration of data management with the in-house enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
  • Introduction of a digital lorry ticketing system for customers and suppliers
  • Receipt and loading orders are triggered via barcodes or QR codes
  • Vehicle number plate recognition via camera systems on the factory premises
  • Electronic issuance or dispatch of delivery documents

Keller Automation Processes offers solutions for the following sectors and products:

Food and beverage industry – Complete plant design and control technology, including switch cabinet construction, visualisation and process control systems, specifically for the production of bulk food and beverage products (bulk goods). Our core expertise lies in the grain processing industry.

Mixed feed and animal feed industry, or ‘pet food’ – Complete solutions from the delivery and processing of raw materials through to the loading of the finished product.

General process industry – Automation of dosing and mixing systems for production processes across various industrial sectors. Weighing, mixing and dosing, recipe-controlled and fully traceable.

Energy and operational data management – The certified Keller Automation Processes energy data system offers fully automatic monitoring and recording of energy, production and consumption data for the entire manufacturing process.

Predictive Maintenance – The core function of the maintenance manager is the time-saving organisation, inspection, maintenance and servicing of all equipment and systems. They take action before a breakdown occurs. The data collected on operating hours, switching cycles, temperature, humidity, vibrations, etc. enables a predictive assessment of the system’s future condition.

Service – 24/7 on-call service – Expert and personalised support from specialist staff using state-of-the-art and secure remote maintenance techniques.

Spare parts service – Keller Automation Processes relies exclusively on reputable manufacturers of standardised spare parts. These comply with strict quality regulations and guarantee a low risk of failure as well as high operational reliability.

The Keller company traces its origins back to 1894. It was then that Carl Keller, a machinist from Laggenbeck, invented the setting carriage, which marked the beginning of automation in the brick industry. With further groundbreaking inventions, Keller became a global technology leader in the heavy clay industry during the 20th century. Today, Keller is a division of the French industrial group Groupe Legris Industries. Other divisions within the group include Clextral (France), Schiederwerk (Germany), Laulagun Bearings (Spain) and MEP Group (Italy).
Building on the core expertise of the Keller Division, solutions have also been developed over time for other sectors of industry, giving rise to further business areas which are represented today as follows:

Pyrometer Systems

The Pyrometer Systems division develops and manufactures precision measuring instruments and application solutions for optical temperature measurement in industrial applications. With its extensive product portfolio of over 250 instrument variants and measuring systems, Keller Pyrometer Systems is now one of the world’s leading technology and market leaders in infrared thermometers and pyrometers.

Decarb Technologies

Drawing on many years of expertise in the heavy-duty ceramics industry and leveraging synergies across a wide range of specialist fields, we develop highly flexible, machine- and robot-assisted systems for industrial handling and palletising processes. Innovative control and automation systems meet today’s demands for flexibility and safety.

Heavy Clay Solutions

The business unit for the heavy-duty ceramics sector remains the core of the company and a driving force for technological innovation in the brick industry. Here, bespoke robotic applications, customised machine solutions, advanced dryer and kiln technologies, and complex plant designs are developed, manufactured and sold worldwide.