PVI Esskå, an automotive supplier based in Ulricehamn, Sweden, improved output by changing the controls and automation surrounding its hydraulic presses rather than replacing the presses themselves. According to the source material, the company focused on upgrading the automation environment tied to the installed equipment.
The headline result was a 50% reduction in cycle time. In press-based production, a shift of that scale can translate into more available machine time, higher throughput per shift and greater flexibility to absorb additional demand without expanding the press fleet.
The source also states that annual production capacity increased by approximately 500 hours. No further technical detail is provided on the control architecture, automation hardware or software involved, but the figure indicates a measurable gain in available manufacturing time from improvements made around existing assets.
From an industrial perspective, the case highlights a modernization strategy centered on retrofit rather than full replacement. Instead of removing and replacing hydraulic presses, PVI Esskå reportedly targeted the surrounding controls and automation, with reported gains in both cycle time and annual capacity.
For manufacturers evaluating capital allocation, the takeaway is that press performance is influenced not only by the core machine but also by the way motion, sequencing and peripheral automation are managed. Where the mechanical platform remains suitable, upgrading controls may offer a practical route to extend asset life and improve productivity.
