From wasteland to Industry 4.0 factory: when automation breathes new life into industry.
Transforming an industrial wasteland into an automated, high–performance, and secure agricultural production site: this is the kind of challenge we love to take on at B2C Engineering.
As specialists in customized industrial automation, we rose to the occasion when Valfrance, a grain cooperative based in southern Oise and Seine-et-Marne, asked us to oversee the automation and industrial IT aspects of its new seed production site.
The goal: to design a customized solution that is reliable, scalable, and perfectly integrated with seed production requirements.
An ambitious industrial transformation project
1. Modernization of an industrial site
When Valfrance decided to consolidate its three former seed factories, it was faced with a complex equation: how to automate its industrial site while sustainably modernizing its production facilities as part of this grain factory upgrade?
The site chosen in Saint-Lyé had great potential but required complete refurbishment, incorporating a customized automation solution, both structurally and technologically.
It was not simply a matter of rebuilding, but of designing a new-generation industrial site capable of handling a daily flow of 20 to 25 grain trucks, ensuring flawless traceability, and meeting the demanding standards of the seed industry through tailor-made industrial automation.
2. Technical and ergonomic integration
At B2C, we know that an industrial project of this scale cannot succeed without tailor–made industrial automation that is perfectly aligned with the realities on the ground.
From our very first discussions with Valfrance, it was clear that the challenges were numerous and strategic. Our mission was to design a customized, robust, and intuitive automation solution capable of meeting these specific needs:
- Complete control of logistics flows
- Securing varieties to avoid any risk of mixing
- Optimized workstation ergonomics for operators, even temporary workers
- Centralized real-time control, the true foundation of modern automation engineering
This solution provides a reliable foundation for automated seed logistics management, directly linked to Valfrance’s business requirements. It was this technical and human approach, combined with our methodological rigor, that led our client to entrust us with the entire automation aspect of its new site.
“B2C naturally stood out as the partner of choice when it came to making strategic decisions for our project.” – Laurent Vittoz, Director of the Valfrance plant
A collaborative and structured approach
1. Needs analysis
From the outset, the success of the project depended on a rigorous analysis phase, essential to any industrial automation project, which was carried out between October 2023 and April 2024. During this period, the Valfrance teams clearly expressed their requirements.
This dynamic exchange enabled us to exceed initial expectations. By listening carefully, we were able to offer customized automation solutions that optimized both production flows and working conditions for operators. This preparatory work laid the foundations for a scalable, high–performance system that is perfectly suited to the specific requirements of the seed industry and is part of a tailor–made industrial automation approach.
2. Selection of proven tools and processes
To increase efficiency, we have implemented proven tools, in particular Standard Lite, which structures the entire application (alarms, logs, supervision). This solid technical foundation provides a reliable basis for any industrial automation project, enabling deadlines to be met while ensuring overall system consistency.
The entire site has been modeled using AVEVA System Platform as part of an advanced industrial automation integration project, with intuitive industrial supervision divided into zones and incorporating operator guidance. This approach guarantees intuitive handling, even for temporary workers who are often assigned to sensitive positions, while meeting the requirements of customized factory automation.
“The system provides real operational fluidity: everyone knows what they have to do, when and how, all under optimal safety conditions.” – Laurent Carton, Team Leader
3. Easier maintenance and increased responsiveness
We don’t just optimize daily operations: we also consider tailor-made industrial automation that incorporates intelligent maintenance. That’s why we’ve equipped each machine with an hour meter that continuously records operating times. This approach allows Valfrance to accurately monitor the wear and tear of each piece of equipment and implement effective preventive maintenance, which is essential in any sustainable industrial automation project.
And because incidents can occur at any time, we have designed an architecture that allows operators to report problems remotely. Thanks to centralized monitoring based on our expertise in automation engineering, technicians can make an initial diagnosis without having to travel, saving time and enabling them to respond more quickly.
Results achieved:
- Significantly increased machine availability
- A notable reduction in unplanned downtime
- Enhanced operational safety
These results are perfectly in line with the objectives of an automated industrial site.
Comprehensive support
1. Commissioning
The success of this project also depends on the quality of collaboration in the field. During commissioning, our teams and those from Valfrance worked side by side to adjust settings in real time. Each problem encountered was immediately discussed, corrected, and validated jointly.
This ongoing dialogue made the system not only functional, but also adapted to the realities of the business. We did not impose a fixed solution. We developed the tool so that it fully met the requirements of both operators and production managers.
“It wasn’t the system itself that was flexible, it was the B2C team that made it perfectly suited to our business. They quickly understood our needs, despite the complexity of our business, and offered us concrete and effective solutions.” – Frédéric Guilbert, Seed Department Manager
2. Scalable, customized industrial automation
A good project doesn’t end once it’s up and running. That’s why we’ve set up an annual maintenance contract (SLA). This service includes a dedicated on–call service to respond immediately in the event of unforeseen technical issues.
But our support goes further: we also work on small continuous improvement projects to ensure that the system remains efficient and scalable over time. Nothing is set in stone; everything can be optimized.
With Valfrance, as with all our customers, we build a relationship of trust based on transparency, commitment, and technical reliability. This is our approach and our daily commitment.
Before: an industrial wasteland
Today: a high-performance, connected, and scalable Industry 4.0 factory.
This project, carried out alongside Valfrance, embodies what we do best at B2C: transforming an ambitious industrial vision into a concrete and sustainable reality on the ground. Thanks to close collaboration, proven technical expertise, and total commitment, we were able to support our client in creating a site that meets their requirements.
Intelligent automation means saving our clients time, enhancing safety, and providing real-time control. Above all, it means building a solution that evolves with their needs.
Do you have an industrial automation project? Our teams will support you every step of the way, from analysis to maintenance. Contact us today to discuss your needs.