Page 12 - Climate Control News magazine March 2023

World News
Manufacturing global excellence
THE $US360 MILLION LG ELECTRONICS (LG) MANUFACTURING PLANT IN THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A WORLD-LEADING LIGHTHOUSE FACTORY BY THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM.
ABOVE: The factory has 166 automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
RIGHT: The US plant utilises a range of technologies from AI and big data to IoT and robots.
THE MILLION-SQUARE-FOOT FACTORY in Clarksville, Tennessee is the industry's first home appliance plant in the United States to join the WEF's global network.
It also is the company's second Lighthouse Factory, following on the heels of the LG Smart Park in Changwon, South Korea, which was selected by the WEF last year.
A "Lighthouse Factory" is recognised by the WEF for its role in shaping the future of manufac- turing through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), robots and other Fourth Industrial Revolution technolo- gies. Since 2018, the WEF has selected and added global factories to its network twice a year.
LG's world-class autonomous factory in Tennessee, utilises advanced digital technolo- gies from AI and big data to IoT and robots. Completed at the end of 2018, the facility now operates three production lines and 900 staff.
The LG Tennessee factory boasts a fully autonomous logistics system with 166 auto- mated guided vehicles (AGVs) that transport parts around the plant. With three times more AGVs than the LG Smart Park, these robots improve overall productivity by freeing up peo- ple for other tasks.
With the integration of parts production such as metal press processing, plastic injection moulding, and painting -- including LG's own intelligent injection moulding system -- the company has increased component productiv- ity by 21 per cent.
The plant is also maximising workplace safety and operational efficiency by using robots for complicated, potentially dangerous tasks, such as assembling and lifting heavy parts and welding.
To further improve efficiency, LG plans to establish a 5G connectivity network across the facility in the second half of this year, creating an environment where its many AGVs can trans- port materials faster and more accurately based on stable, uninterrupted communication.
McCann to lead commercial operations
A-GAS AUSTRALIA HAS appointed Louise McCann as group commercial director.
McCann said her objective is to lead the global commercial team in providing first class key account management, while enhancing the solu- tions A-Gas offers to its customers worldwide.
“I am proud to hold the position of group commercial director as we continue our envi- ronmental journey. I am highly encouraged by the dedication of our global commercial teams as we seek to support our customers in fulfill- ing their sustainability goals through lifecycle refrigerant management,” she said.
McCann joined A-Gas in 2005 and has held a number of roles in the A-Gas business, sup- porting customers during periods of regula- tory change in various regions in line with their corporate commitments.
In 2015, McCann became managing director of A-Gas Australia. She then relocated to Canada in 2019 after accepting the role of managing director of A-Gas Canada where she helped establish the business on the ground. She relocated to Dallas, Texas, in 2021 when her role was extended to include all commer- cial responsibilities for North America.
McCann has returned to Australia to begin her new appointment. She will lead the entire Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand, leveraging her knowledge and skillsets across this region.
LEFT: Louise McCann will lead the entire Asia Pacific region.
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