The new RIA Certified Robot Integrator program was officially announced in late January at the Robotics Industry Forum in Orlando.

(Ann Arbor, Michigan - December 21, 2012) Schneider Packaging Equipment, Brewerton, New York, has received the prestigious new Certified Robot Integrator designation from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry's trade group.

"We are very happy to welcome Schneider to our growing group of Certified Robot Integrators," said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "In order to become certified, integrators go through a rigorous process which includes an on-site audit, safety training and hands-on testing of key personnel among other important criteria. Based on feedback from the industry, we believe that achieving certification will be valuable to integrators looking to showcase their capabilities and experience to users and suppliers alike.

"Additionally, the program allows integrators to benchmark their own processes against best industry practices, allowing them to identify areas in which they can improve. This also helps the industry by strengthening the overall integrator channel," Burnstein explained.

The new RIA Certified Robot Integrator program was officially announced in late January at the Robotics Industry Forum in Orlando. A total of eleven integrators have now received the RIA Certified Robot Integrator designation.

"Schneider Packaging Equipment is very proud of its employees for taking the initiative to earn this certification," said Terry Zarnowski, Sales and Marketing Manager, Schneider Packaging Equipment. "The RIA Certified Robot Integrator status enables us to demonstrate to our prospective customers that we are dedicated to providing safe and cost effective solutions for their packaging line needs. With literally hundreds of robotic installations commissioned in the field, this RIA certification means that we have the experience, technical know-how and professional staff that are ready to help you realize your robotic solution requirements."

Each certified integrator will need to be recertified every two years. Detailed information on the certification program and the certified robot integrators can be found on a special section of Robotics Online (www.robotics.org). Integrators interested in becoming certified also can contact Jeff Burnstein at jburnstein@robotics.org or 734/994-6088.

Founded in 1974, RIA now represents more than 300 robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end user, consulting firms, research groups, and educational institutions. RIA is best known for its biennial Automate Show & Conference (next event slated for January 21-24, 2013 in Chicago); the ANSI/RIA National Robot Safety Standard and annual National Robot Safety Conference, and the annual Robotics Industry Forum (February 20-22, 2013, Orlando). The association also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich Robotics Online website attracting hundreds of thousands of visits a year from throughout the world. For more details on RIA, visit www.robotics.org or call 734/994-6088.

"Robotics customers, of course, still need to conduct their own due diligence on the suppliers they select," said Burnstein. "RIA cannot guarantee the work of any integrator or recommend which integrators to choose. We have more than 50 system integrator members and look forward to having more of them go through the certification process in the near future."

Burnstein noted that several of the RIA Certified Robot Integrators, including Schneider Packaging Equipment, will exhibit solutions at the upcoming Automate 2013 show in Chicago, January 21-24, 2013. "Automate provides a great opportunity for users and prospective users to speak to various integrators and learn more about their capabilities in a wide-range of industries," he explained. Full details on Automate can be found at www.Automate2013.com.