33 Rotecna World

ROTECNAWORLD NUMBER THIRTY TRHEE 2018

SUMMARY TECHNOLOGY

SILOMETRIC, CONTROL OF THE CONTENT OF SILOS IN REAL TIME TECHNOLOGY

SUBMERSIBLE AGITATOR GENERATES STRONGER CURRENTS ROTECNANEWS

SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

PIGPRODUCTION

LETTER FROMTHEEDITOR

JAPAN, THE WORLD’S LEADING IMPORTER OF PIG MEAT

At this beginning of the year, the trend in the pork market is the same as in the last weeks of 2017: record weights with intense activity in the slaughterhouses and downward prices. The sector expects to recover its stability and good sensations soon.

SOMETHINGABOUT

THE SARDANA, THE CATALAN NATIONAL DANCE

Gener Romeu Rotecna's President

ROTECNA WORLD 33

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JANUARY 2018 EDITION: ROTECNA, S.A.- POL. IND. NAU-3, 25310 AGRAMUNT (LLEIDA) SPAIN DIRECTOR: GENER ROMEU EDITOR: TAMARA LOMBARDO PRODUCTION: DAVID MERCADO TRADUCTION: CHRIS BOSWELL PRINT: IMPRENTA BARNOLA L-41-2007

DIGITAL VERSION / issuu.com/rotecnapress Rotecna's World's editors accept no liability for contributor's opinion.

However, in 2017, from the point of view of production, the sector registered its best figures and successfully undertook the challenges it faced. Among these, it addressed the problem of antibiotic resistance, a task the sector has faced with professionalism and involvement, although in some countries of the European Union there is still a long way to go. Nutrition, vaccines and extreme biosecurity measures in the installations are the tools available to the sector to achieve “zero consumption” of antibiotics.

In the business field, in Rotecna we are expanding our field of activity. On this occasion, we present the SiloMetric, an innovative product to measure the amount of feed in the silos in real time through any electronic device. We also highlight the advantages of the TecnaPur submersible agitator, with an exclusive pointed-finished design that makes it more efficient at homogenising slurry in the ponds.

In conclusion, we are leaving behind a good business year, and one in which the sector saw Spain established itself as the country with the largest pig population in Europe. With the expectation that the sector will continue to grow and will do so by betting on innovative, sustainable and efficient equipment, our commitment is to continue working to provide farmers with this equipment. This year, in addition, we have an unmissable event for us, EuroTier 2018 (from 13th to 16th November), the great showcase for the European and international livestock sector.

Gener Romeu

ROTECNANEWS

SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT PROFILE: · Year the department was created: 2007 · Number of employees: 3 · Number of users of the ERP: 60 users.

Pascual Serrano and Jordi Benet make up the Systems Department together with the computer scientist Jordi Lanchas. Photo: RotecnaPress.

At the moment, the Systems Department is working to implement the CRM, a tool for integral management of all the information that is generated around the commercial activity.

At the same time, from the Systems department, the entire IT infrastructure of the company is managed: servers, computers, backups, antivirus systems, and so on.

THE SARDANA

SOMETHINGABOUT...

MUSIC AND DANCE IN A CIRCLE MADE UP OF MEN AND WOMEN

People dancing a sardana in a competition.

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The Systems Department was created in 2007 with the objective of launching the ERP (a computerized Enterprise Resource Planning system), which would combine all the information generated by the different sections of Rotecna and improve the internal functioning of the company. From its introduction, the purpose of the department has been to administer this information and create the tools necessary for the company to carry out its activity as efficiently as possible.

The ‘sardana’

The origins

The sardana is considered the national dance of Catalonia. A collective dance with men and women holding hands in a circle and facing inward. It is danced by tapping the feet to the beat of the music played by the cobla (the group of musicians who play for the sardana).

The sardana as we know it today dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Its origin is unknown.

According to some authors, the ring, the way of dancing and the holding of hands denote an antiquity that can be traced back to Roman times. That is why there are so many legends that set its origins in

ancient Greece, where dances in a ring and holding hands were commonplace, as is apparent from some of the sculptural and artistic depictions of the time. Subsequently, these dances were adapted by Iberian peoples and danced on the shores of the Mediterranean, creating choreographic and instrumental differences. In the search for its origins, the etymology of the word sardana has also been studied, and it has been related to the Latin word “Cerretana”, which was the name of the modern-day Cerdanya district in Pyrenees of Girona province.

However, it was not until the 16th century that term sardana appeared referring specifically to a dance. It was applied to one that was danced in a rhythmic form, but without more details. In the 19th century, the sardana was mentioned as a dance in the Empordà, Roussillon and La Selva (Girona). It was derived from the counterpass and the short sardana, two dances of the time. So, the origin of the sardana as we know it today must be related to the evolution and consequent disappearance in the mid-19th century of the counterpass, a typical dance of the

ROTECNANEWS Systems Department: IT and IS The department’s work is divided into two parts: IT (information technology) and IS (information and services).

The first is the most technical part, and refers to the company’s entire computer infrastructure. The section is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the network, equipment and data. The part of IS is the one of services, the one that administers the ERP, develops applications to access the information, facilitates the analysis of data and resolves the incidents and daily queries that arise among the users of the ERP, who number about 60 in Rotecna.

Great milestones In 2007, the company created the Systems Department and ERP software came into operation. It was initially used only as a billing tool.

In 2009, it is decided to go a step further. The version of ERP was updated and there was investment in new programmes to improve the supply of material to the factory and the preparation of orders for customers through Wi-Fi readers.

This was a great change in the way Rotecna worked, and, at the same time, a very important qualitative leap in the location of all the material

and in its dispatch, as the stock and location of all material was computerised.

From here, improvements and modifications were made to the ERP, based on the demands of customers, until 2016, when another qualitative leap was made and the production control programme was installed with terminals on all the injection machines. This programme allows you to check in real time the status of all the machines in the company, the items being produced, the time remaining in production, the number of pieces produced, and so on. And, in situ, the terminals enable the information regarding each machine to be consulted.

The last major changes occurred in 2017. On the one hand, in March, as required by the ISO 9001 Quality Regulations, the batch work system was implemented. This ensures the traceability of the products by registering all production and distribution processes, and implies the application of the FIFO (first in, first out) system, which prioritises the departure of the material that entered first.

On the other hand, the Internet connection was changed to fibre optics and the mail system was migrated to MS Exchange, which

The production control programme with screens on the machines was launched in 2016. Photo: RotecnaPress.

provides greater security, allows the synchronisation of devices and the sharing of calendars, and manages and/or reserves meeting rooms, among other functions.

CRM At the moment, the Systems Department is working to implement the CRM, a tool for integral management of all the information

that is generated around the commercial activity.The CRM will be another great qualitative leap, and will facilitate especially the work of the sales staff, who will have access to all information regarding their clients on their visits: status of their orders, invoicing, possible incidents, etc.In addition, in the field of marketing, the new system will allow more accurate profiles to be made of clients and increase their efficiency.

A, THE CATALAN NATIONAL DANCE Empordà and Pyrenean regions of the province of Girona, danced in a chain or semicircle, where the dancers showed the social hierarchy in the town squares. On the other hand, the short sardanas were danced at the end of the counterpass with the participation of many more people.

With the passage of time, the counterpass was displaced by the sardanas, which gained popularity among the young, then it evolved into its present form.

The dance The sardana has two main steps, called short and long, and the succession of these equal steps is called a tirada. Thus, a sardana is formed of several sets of short and long steps that alternate until completing 7 or 10 tirades.

There is no fixed number of people to dance a sardana, only a minimum of two holding hands are required so that they form a circle. Then, holding hands and looking at the centre, the

dancers dance to the right and left in a few specific steps, with an air that is often slow and sometimes more lively. The people in the ring should preferably be pairs of men and women. It is a non-exclusive dance, so that anyone can join the circle individually or in pairs at any time in the dance, unless it is a contest or an exhibition.

The ‘cobla’ The cobla is the name given to the group that plays the music for the sardana. It is made up of 12 instruments played by 11 musicians.

Its origins go back to an old formation called tres quartants (three quarters) (or old minsters’ copla) and it comprised three musicians who played four instruments: the windbag, the tarota and flabiol and a drum.

This medieval formation gradually expanded and gave rise to the cobla as we know it today.

instruments (tenora, tible, flabiol and tamborí) are typically Catalan, and the other four (double bass, trumpet, trombone and fiscorn) are more conventional.

Thus, the current cobla is a wind band with a double bass. Four

The band consists of a flabiol and tamborí, two tibles, two tenores, two

A cobla in a concert. Photo: Cobla Jovenívola d’Agramunt.

trumpets, a trombone, two fiscorns and a double bass.

The music of the sardana almost always has binary compass, 2/4 or 6/8. This, in addition to being played by the cobla to be danced to, can also be heard played in concerts.

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TECHNOLOGY

CONTROL OF THE CONTENT OF SILOS IN REAL TIME Calculating the levels of feed in silos is a hard task, one that requires time and, at times, involves a risk due to having to access the top of the silos to check their contents visually. Faced with this, Rotecna has opted to distribute the SiloMetric (MCSystems), an innovative product that allows readings of the volumetric content of silos in real time.

What is it?

The SiloMetric is a sensor that uses laser technology to measure the level of solids or liquids inside different storage systems: silos, tanks or hoppers of any shape, size and material.

industry to make production forecasts from the consumption information of its customers, and, in the case of adverse climatology, anticipate the supply to those farms with lower feed supplies.

SiloMetric device.

How does it work?

It is an innovative product that allows users in the livestock sector to know what level of feed is available in their installations in real time and from any electronic device with an Internet connection.

The easy and quick access to information makes manual practices such as hitting the outside of the silos to “sense” the level of content redundant, and avoids the need to have access to the top to make the check visually.

With the information provided by the SiloMetric, in addition to knowing the volume of food contained in their silos, users can calculate the replenishment periods. This is information that can be shared with the integrator and/or the factory that supplies the feed so they can improve the planning of loads and their distribution routes, reducing transport costs and avoiding the return of surplus material.

With the SiloMetric, the logistics of food distribution is more efficient and quicker, also allowing the

The SiloMetric can be placed in all types of silos.

With a measuring range of up to 20 metres, it is installed quickly and easily at the top. It does not need cables or control units. The information is transmitted directly by radiofrequency to the database managed by MCSystems.

Through the Digitplan web platform, the users can consult the stock, the history of the readings and the replenishment periods of their silos from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection.

The default frequency of readings set in the factory is every 2 hours, which gives 12 readings per day.

However, users can customise it to their needs.

The completely sealed construction of the SiloMetric device guarantees its correct operation in a wide range of extreme temperatures, in both winter and

CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR FARMS • Reading of levels for liquid and solid products.

• Improves safety by eliminating the need to climb the silos.

• Comprehensive control of supplies of water, feed, pellet, fuel oil, etc.

OPTIMISATION OF LOGISTICS • Programming of distribution routes.

• Reduction of transport costs.

• Avoid the return of surplus product.

CONTROL OF PRODUCT LEVELS • Monitoring of the product level in real time.

• Better forecast and production control.

• Better return on investment thanks to its affordable price

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summer (from -15º to + 55º). This robustness, together with the long battery life (up to 8 years) and its low consumption, make the device practically maintenance-free.

TECHNOLOGY

DIGITPLAN WEB PLATFORM The DigitPlan application has been developed to consult and manage all the information collected by the SiloMetric in the installations. It is a user-oriented computer programme that allows real-time monitoring of the status of stocks in the silos from any device connected to the Internet. (computer, mobile phone or tablet).

Finally, DigitPlan includes a system of geolocation of the different devices installed. This allows the supply logistics to be managed efficiently, calculating the optimal route to supply the silos.

The program is designed to be easy and practical to use. Each user creates their own profile to access all the information regarding their installations.

BENEFITS: • Real-time stock display.

How does it work?

Through the DigitPlan web platform, users can graphically view the status of all the silos where sensors have been installed, control the history of the readings, see the evolution of the status of the silos to detect possible consumption anomalies and modify parameters such as the density of the feed, which allows the accuracy of the volumetric calculation of the contents to be adjusted.

Through a very intuitive and visual colour code, users can see in seconds what the status of all their silos is: • • • •

• Programming of alarms and low-level warnings.

• Planning of distribution routes.

The user can also receive all the information in spreadsheets to facilitate the use of the data with other software.

To guarantee the replenishment of silos, the application offers the possibility of programming alarms and low-level warnings. These alerts can be sent via SMS or email. The user only has to enter which recipients to send the information to and the percentage of content when the alert should be sent.

50%

• Reading frequency every 2 hours.* (Customisable)

• Geolocation of the installations and calculation of the optimal supply route.

Red (0% - 25%).

Orange (25% - 50%).

Yellow (50% - 75%).

Green (75% - 100%).

25%

• Consultation of historical readings in graphic format or as a spreadsheet (Excel).

75%

100%

• Reduction of transport costs.

• Avoid the return of surplus material.

TECHNICAL DETAILS: Measurement range

Up to 20 metres.

Working temperature

From -15º to +55º C

Battery life

Up to 8 years (with readings every two hours).

Sensor

Laser.

Measurement

Programmed every two hours. Personalizable.

Case material

High-density polypropylene. UV treated.

Type of communication

Radiofrequency.

Dimensions

335x120 mm.

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TECHNOLOGY

SUBMERSIBLE AGITATOR GENERATES STRONGER CURRENTS

A good homogenisation of the slurry is important for a proper process of solid-liquid separation.

Rotecna’s TecnaPur system includes a submersible agitator, whose characteristics provide the farmer with high performance at low cost.

Unlike most models on the market, Rotecna’s exclusive submersible agitator design, finished in a point, allows stronger impact currents, which can reach 25 meters away, to be generated with very low energy consumption, thanks to its DC motor with the latest technology.

Designed for ponds up to 400-500 m3, the agitator is installed together with an adjustable support that allows all the corners to be reached to achieve an optimal mixture of the solid and liquid fractions of the slurry, lifting the solids settled in the bottom and breaking up possible crusts on the surface. Installing more than one agitator allows larger ponds to be treated.

SUBMERSIBLE AGITATOR FOR SLURRY PONDS:

The pointed finish of the agitator allows more powerful currents to be generated, which can reach a distance of 25 metres.

Stable and safe The chamber that protects the agitator motor is cast in a single piece of cast iron, which guarantees it is watertight. Even the support is integrated into the casting. The materials used in manufacturing it (stainless steel and cast iron) are resistant to corrosion caused by slurry.

With the aim of ensuring its durability and efficiency, even in extreme conditions, the TecnaPur agitator has different safety systems: a liquid sensor in the chamber and a temperature controller, which stops the agitator if activated, and screws designed to avoid blockages and self-cleaning.

Economic The Tecnapur submersible agitator is easy and quick to install. In addition, the financial investment required is reduced compared with other models on the market, since it does not require expensive works, or an external transmission or concrete supports for the motor.

To this, we can add its DC motor with the latest technology, which does not require a gear motor, which means significant savings in energy consumption.

How does it work?

The submersible agitator of Rotecna generates a current of liquid that lifts the solids settled on the bottom of the rafts, breaks the crusts on the surface and mixes it all until an optimum homogenisation of the slurry is achieved.

Unlike dry installed motors, submersible mixers offer a high degree of flexibility in their placement, and can be reoriented easily to ensure that the current generated covers a large distance and adapts to the shape of the pond.

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Other applications • • • • • • •

Submersible mixers have a wide range of applications, such as: Shaking slurry pits inside the sheds.

Pumping stations.

Rain run-off tanks.

Homogenisation of sludge with a high concentration of solids.

Sewage plants and industrial facilities.

Truck washers.

PIGPRODUCTIONIN...

Source: ICEX España

JAPAN,

THE WORLD’S LEADING IMPORTER OF PIG MEAT Japan is among the developed countries most highly dependent on agricultural imports, something that has been increasing since the 1960s.

Japan is the world’s leading importer of pork and the fifth of pork products. Its limited domestic pork production and the high demand and acceptance of this meat among the Japanese have led it to the top of the ranking. On the other hand, the main pig producing countries, including Spain, see in Japan a market with a lot of potential, although the procedures to penetrate into it are difficult and slow.

PRODUCTION Japan’s pork production is ranked number 14 in the world. With 888,611 tons of pork produced in 2015, domestic production is insufficient to meet demand, and more so in a country where the consumption of pork has been increasing over recent years. This situation has placed the country among the developed countries with the highest dependence on agricultural imports, a trend that has been increasing since the 1960s.

The main producing areas of the country in 2015 were Kyushu, Kanto-Tosan and Tohoku.

A pig farm in Japan with Rotecna products. Photo: Archivo RotecnaPress.

When it comes to companies, the market is dominated by five large groups.

40 and 80 grams and, in the case of the more costly Iberian ham, 30 grams.

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

IMPORTS

Pork meat is the second most consumed meat in Japan after chicken, with an average of 10.8 kilos per capita per year (ICEX: 2007). The tendency over recent years is for an increase in the consumption of this meat, with total figures of 1,712,778 tons in 2016, of which 50% was imported.

The needs of the Japanese market for pork make the country a potential target for the main producers of this meat. However, companies interested in this market must be aware of the difficulties of penetrating it, with a difficult and slow negotiation and marketing process.

Ham, sausages or bacon are among the most widely-consumed products, although the difference in tastes between the Japanese and Westerners means that manufacturers have to make small changes in the products for export there. Regarding Spanish products, these enjoy very high prestige in the Japanese market, especially the Iberian ones.

Over the last five years, pig imports have increased by 83.19% in value, exceeding 452 million yen (3.39 million euros) in 2016. By countries, the United States and Canada lead the list of exporters, with market shares of 30.64% and 20.76% respectively.

Denmark follows them in third place, with a share of 13.7%. And in fourth position is Spain, with a share of 10.33%. In fact, the presence of Spanish companies that export their products to Japan has increased since the lifting of the veto in 2003. Thus, Spain has gone from fourteenth place in 2004 to fourth in 2016.

In terms of consumption habits, in Japan it is very common to shop daily and consume fresh food, so sales tend to be in small portions. For example, sliced ham is usually sold in packages of between

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THE MOST EXTENSIVE RANGE

PANS MAXI PAN MAXI HOPPER PAN MAXITAINER FOR MAXI PAN TECNA PAN INITIATION PAN EASY PAN INITIATION PAN MINI PAN MINI HOPPER PAN MINITAINER

OF PRODUCTS FOR PIG EQUIPMENT

FEEDERS GROW FEEDER MAXI GROW FEEDER MINI SOW FEEDER SWING R3 DUO SWING R3 WET SWING R3 TUBE TR2 FEEDER TR5 FEEDERS SOW BOWL FEEDING BALL

ELECTRONIC FEED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DOSITRONIC DOSITRONIC PLUS

DISPENSERS CLUTCH DISPENSER DOSIMATIC SIMPLEX D-2 FOUR FIVE SIX-D ADAPTER LINE DISPENSER OUTLET ADAPTER

DRINKING BOWLS & VRH-3 VALVE VRH-3 SWING DRINKER EASY DRINKER DUO EASY DRIKER MINI EASY DRIKER MIDI

FLOOR DELTA BEAM PROFILE T PROFILE DELTA NET SYSTEM ERGOFIX BASIC POST BEAM CLICK-IN

COVER NI-2 POR PIGLETS NI-2 CORNER NI-2 MOBILE LAMPHOLDER LID WITH LED LIGHT, 5W

PANELS BLIND PANEL 1200X1000 VENTILATED PANEL 1200X1000 BLIND PANELS MADE TO SIZE VENTILATED PANELS MADE TO SIZE MIXED PANELS MADE TO SIZE FAST DOOR KIT POLIAMID UNION BRAKETS FOR PANELS PROFILES FOR PANELS

PVC PVC PROFILES (50,25,10 CM) CLOSE PVC PEN DIVIDERS OPEN PVC PEN DIVIDERS DOORS FAST LOCK BRACKETS U BRACKETS SOLID GRIP

CHAIN AND DISK SYSTEM • SHOCK ABSORBING TEETH SYSTEM. • EASY ADJUSTABLE CHAIN TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH GRADUATION SCALE. • CORNERS WITH EASY APERTURE SYSTEM. • SILO EXTRACTION SYSTEM WITH AN AGITATOR.

AUGER SYSTEM

SLATS WEANER BLIND PARTIAL BLIND SOW TRAP SLAT WEAN TO FINISH ELECTRIC HEATED PLATE WATER HEATED PLATE CAST IRON FERROCAST LEVEL BED / RAISED

THE SILO OUTLET SYSTEM CONSIST OF A SILO BOOT, A TRANSFER UNIT AND A SLIDE GATE ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWS HORIZONTAL AND INCLINED INSTALLATION.

SPLAYLEG STOP