Indian sub-continent gets local support for CC-Link

The CC-Link Partner Association is an organisation of manufacturers and users of CC-Link, the Non-Stop Open Network. It manages the CC-Link specifications and promotes their worldwide adoption for network communications in industrial automation and also in an increasing range of other uses.

India is seen as one of the economies tipped to develop steadily over the next decade, enhancing its global reach and developing new sectors. It already has a firm manufacturing base that includes traditional heavy industries, modern electronic and computer based activities, and a world-leading biotech sector. Established and emerging industries alike are turning to automation to improve productivity, quality and safety so that they can be certain they are performing at the world class levels necessary for global competitiveness.

India has a large and growing population, with many highly educated younger people committed to pursuing technology-based careers. It has strong links with major markets in Europe and North America and is strategically placed to support developing markets in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa.

CC-Link was originally developed in Japan by Mitsubishi Electric and was made an open network by them in 2000. This allowed a wide variety of companies to develop compatible devices and currently over 260 companies offer CC-Link products. Moreover, the CLPA now counts over 1,700 companies and organizations in its membership.

The installed base of CC-Link nodes passed nine million some time ago, with steady growth expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Indeed, independent research indicates that not only does CC-Link have the largest market share in Asia, but that it is also expected to see the highest growth potential of all open network.

CLPA India was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by over 140 people. Attendees included representatives from other CLPA branches around the world, as well as senior management from CLPA board members such as Cognex and Mitsubishi Electric.

A variety of speeches and presentations formed the main part of the programme which included a presentation on the impact on productivity CC-Link has had for Maruti Suzuki, one of the largest automotive manufacturers in India. John Browett, General Manager of CLPA-Europe commented, “We are very pleased to welcome our new Indian colleagues to the global CLPA organization. This new office is further evidence of CC-Link’s continuing growth in the world market. The so called “BRIC” countries are well known as engines of global growth and CLPA India is a strong sign of CLPA’s commitment to support these new growth economies. It is also a symbol of CLPA’s willingness to support our key partners locally no matter where they may be located in the world.”