Sunray combines tradition and progress. For more than 105 years, Sunray has stood for values such as variety, flexibility, enjoyment and safety, and also impresses with innovative solutions. More than 600 different products (dried fruit, nuts, seeds, dried mushrooms and vegetables, pulses, spices and herbs, sugar, edible oils, as well as baking mixes, dessert products and baking ingredients) pass through the new plant in Pratteln. Sunray customers can rely on the proverbial Swiss thoroughness.

Implementation of the project “New Coop Production Centre Pratteln” started in 2016. The production operations (divisions) Sunray, Chocolats Halba and Cave are being centralised at one site and the corresponding logistics integrated. The project: control of the edible oil tank farm with the associated pipelines required to take over the edible oil from goods receipt, store it and dispense it to consumers. The implementation company for this project is the long-standing Autexis partner “Anlagenbau”.

All processes for the 16 tanks are visualised and monitored with the TIA Portal and controlled with an S7-1500 controller. The decentralised peripherals (ET-200SP) ensure real-time communication within the processes. Operation is via a modern touch panel, and remote access enables access to the tank farm. Truck loading was fully integrated. Many valves ensure clear routing control. In a second phase, the tank farm will be integrated into Coop’s ERP systems via the Autexis MES, linking production with corporate planning.

Thanks to a cooperative and intensive collaboration, the required goals and deadlines were met on time. With simple operation and a well-prepared factory acceptance test, the systems could be commissioned very efficiently.