sensors, for example for the transport of wings for wind turbines or in the production of railway systems, what importance does this product have in your company? M. v. L.: A good keyword. We manufactu-red the first system five years ago. Our most important customer is CRRC (China RailRoad Corporation), the world's largest railway manufacturer from China (CRRC recently acquired Vossloh-Locomotive in Kiel ha, editor's note). There are several systems in operation, and we have a 100-percent market share in China. At In-notrans 2020 in Berlin, we will also present the concept to the European railway indus-try. AGV-FACTS: Speaking of China, how important is this market, which could produce everything itself? M. v. L.: You might think so, but the many Chinese AGV providers concentrate on small AGVs that can be manufactured in large quantities. We are planning our own production site in 2020 on an area of ap-prox. 1,000 m2 in the Shanghai or Shenz-hen area (?). There we will manufacture the shifter and later also standard AGVs. AGV-FACTS: The perspectives are good for you, where do you see the compa-ny you run in five years? M. v. L.: First of all, it is important to present and position ourselves in the huge Vinci

totype of a 100 t AGV for a fusion reactor in France, once the vehicle has been tested and adapted 11 more vehicles will follow.

AGV-FACTS: The partnership with Ku-ka suggests that smaller vehicles should also be designed with robots, perhaps? M. v. L.: We are working on this project. Already in January 2020 we will present a small AGV at the Vinci corporate confe-rence with colleagues from 30 countries of Vinci-Energy, which we are allowed to host. Although it is still possible to set up a robot without it, this could be a possible step. AGV-FACTS: Let's get to the exciting topic of navigation, your AGV systems work in very complex environments with many disruptive factors for data transmission, whom are you counting on? M. v. L.: Our preferred partner is Navitec-Systems from Finland. We are offered con-trols for single vehicles, multi-vehicle sys-tems and we can also offer navigation packages based on existing controls. In addition, the service and the installation of updates are very simple, keyword Software over the Air. With the control system, to-gether with scanners, we achieve a positi-oning accuracy of ± 5 mm even outdoors. AGV-FACTS: We were recently able to report on the Shifter, two AGVs that can be coupled by control and laser

AGV-FACTS: Please give us an over-view of the current situation of the company? M. v. L.: With great pleasure. We employ 100 people, generate sales of around 20 million euros and are now a subsidiary of the global Vinci Group, which gives us great advantages for many customers. The focus is on AGV systems. We build around 100 vehicles (AGV-Systems) per year.AGV-FACTS: How did you come up with the product?M. v. L.: We started in the automation sec-tor with the conception and realisation of production lines for the automotive indus-try. And in Belgium, for example, we are the official partner for the German Kuka industrial robots. We came up with trans-port and interlinking solutions when the German company ILS Aero Go went bank-rupt and we were able to take over the assets. This is also how we made contact with the German Klütsch Group, which is now our AGV sales partner in D-A-CH. To-day, we generate around 60 % of our sales with AGV systems.

AGV-FACTS: We locate your company in the heavy-duty segment, with spe-cial vehicles that work indoors and outdoors? M. v. L.: Yes, that is our heritage, if you like. We produce around 100 vehicles per year and have already designed a system with a payload of 150 t for the Ariane rocket in Italy. We are currently working on the pro-

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100 “Heavy boys per year” – Visit to AVT in Belgium

No, not only the world-famous Atomium and the chocolates are associated with the kingdom in Western Europe. FTS/AGV-FACTS team takes a close look, and what do we get? We will come across a colourful scene of AGV ma-nufacturers. The largest Belgian provider is AVT in Essen, close to Antwerp. We visited the company, which be-longes to the French Vinci Group since 2018, and talked to Managing Director Marten van Looveren, who played a key role in shaping the company as an “employee with the personnel number “4”.

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group. Through the many contacts and participations alone, we can address a lar-ge number of customers within the group. And we have an enormous financial back-ground. This facilitates business with auto-motive groups, heavy industry and many other partners who demand costly certifi-cations from their suppliers. Here I see a clear advantage for us in the competitive environment. AGV-FACTS: Last point: refurbishment - your systems usually live a very long time, is it worth it to update them eve-ry 10 years or so?

M. v. L.: Yes, that's part of our offer. But we also rework AGV-systems for competitors. It happens that our customers offer us AGV-Systems from other suppliers for over-haul. We then bring these to a uniform standard. AGV-FACTS: Thank you very much for the informative discussion.

i n fo Bild: Hersteller

AVT Europe NV2910 Essen/BelgienTel.: +32 35463900www.a-vt.be

AVT Germany GmbH47249 DuisburgTel. +49-203- 7579617

The shifter systems consist of two AGV platforms with payloads of up to 60 t (?). They can be coupled by laserguidance.

Founded in 2001, AVT has been part of the Vinci Group (211,000 employees 43.5 billion EUR turnover in 2018) since January 2018. This conglomerate operates airports and motorways and is active in the construction and energy sectors. AVT belongs to Vinci Energy (1,800 companies, 77.300 employees, EUR 12.6 billion turnover in 2018). AVT started with automation solutions for the automotive industry and took over the insolvent German company ILS Aero Go (air cushion transporter) in 2009. This led to the development of the now active FTS busi-ness in Essen, Belgium.

Compact AGV and Kuka robot still side by side, but a connection between AGV and robot is possible.

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