Facility features advanced decommissioning equipment and cutting-edge anti-sway crane safety technology

13 November 2018: PaR Systems (PaR), a global leader in automated handling systems, has opened its new European Handling Solutions Centre of Excellence facility location in Lillyhall, Workington.

The new facility has been kitted out with workshops for assembly of robotic and remote material handling equipment, together with equipment for the building, testing and refurbishment of nuclear manipulator systems.

As part of the opening, an In-Active Hot Cell was unveiled as a unique facility feature to support UK nuclear. The cell will be used for trials and testing, building and servicing of remote handling systems for operations in nuclear and laboratory facilities such as reprocessing, and for decommissioning equipment development. This facility mocks-up a full ‘hot cell, equipped with Master Slave Manipulators (MSMs), a nuclear crane and a PaR robotic manipulator system, all viewed through cell windows to simulate real ‘hot cell environments.

As a specialised overhead cranes facility, the centre has also been fitted with a flagship demonstration capability for PaRs EXPERTOPERATORTM crane anti-sway and motion control systems.

More than 50 industry professionals gathered at the facility last month for the grand opening with EXPERTOPERATORTM really catching the attention of the crowd.
"Being able to feel the effects of EXPERTOPERATORTM really highlights the value of the system when it comes to dramatically increasing safety and significantly reducing training times. We see people go from being dangerous novices to safe operators with the flick of a switch," explained Jon Sakry, President of PaR Systems Handling Solutions. "The ability to fully showcase this system in a UK facility is incredibly valuable to us as we look to move further into the European nuclear market and build on our global automotive and aerospace capabilities from this new base."

"We are thrilled to have opened the new facility. This major milestone represents part of a long-term investment PaR has made for its customers in the UK and across Europe," commented John McGibbon, PaR Systems UK Managing Director. "Now fully operational, we have greater space to support our nuclear remote handling work for Sellafield and the broader industrial market. I am very proud to bring this facility to West Cumbria and build on our dedication to spearhead future growth in the region with new robotics skills and new industrial opportunities."


About PaR Systems, LLC
PaR Systems, a portfolio company of the Pohlad familys operating companies (http://www.pohladcompanies.com/), is a world leader in providing advanced intelligent solutions for critical material handling, automation, and robotic applications that drive customer quality, safety, and productivity. Since 1961, PaR has created fully integrated systems, which are often first-of-a-kind manufacturing solutions, for a broad range of industries including aerospace, hazardous material/nuclear, life science and process automation, marine/defense, heavy material handling, and industrial. PaR Systems is headquartered in Minnesota, USA and has engineering and manufacturing centres of excellence around the globe. For more information on PaR Systems, please visit www.par.com.