Right Place, Right Time: Radwell

Q: What are the main challenges your clients face in the automotive industry and how do you address these challenges with your products and services?

A: Radwell International acts as a bridge between modern automation and the maintenance of old equipment, providing solutions that enable Mexican plants to improve productivity and adapt to technological challenges. The automotive industry is undergoing a significant technological transition and adopting Industry 4.0, which presents two main challenges for plants in Mexico. First, many facilities still operate with outdated technology, using manual and semi-automatic processes that impact efficiency and productivity. The more advanced plants that have adopted fully automated machinery are much more efficient as they do not rely on manual processes. However, many plants continue to use machinery from decades past, making it difficult to integrate new technologies.

Second, the existing infrastructure and the lack of predictive maintenance in many plants hinder the transition to fully automated systems. Outdated machines, although still essential for production, require special reactive maintenance, which can lead to unexpected downtimes.

Radwell International offers components and equipment that have been discontinued by manufacturers, allowing plants to continue operating without needing to make significant investments in new technology. Radwell International has its own workshops and offers a two-year warranty on all its products, which is unusual in the domestic market where the standard warranty is one year. This extended warranty helps plants manage the technological transition more effectively. We also have a network of specialized technicians across multiple countries, allowing for the exchange of knowledge and solutions for specific problems. This network is crucial for repairing old or unusual equipment, where accumulated experience is essential for finding effective solutions. 

Q: How do you approach companies to integrate smart manufacturing technologies, and what impact do your solutions have on production efficiency?

A: When a machine goes down, it is extremely costly for any industry. In most cases, companies reach out to us when they face urgent problems. Some companies have maintenance and repair programs with us and even insurance policies to keep key components in inventory, although many others only contact us in emergencies. Our digital platform facilitates access to our services, allowing users to check component availability through our app or contact our technicians directly.

Q: How do you manage demand forecasting and inventory to stay ahead of client needs?

A: We use a model that combines traditional and modern techniques. We analyze over 70 million visits to our page each month. Through Big Data and partnerships with Google, we perform detailed analyses of requests and purchases of spare parts across different territories. We also have a unique model in Mexico called Asset Recovery, where we buy old equipment from plants and distributors. This allows us to recover and recycle discontinued parts, keeping them available for our clients. Thanks to global trade, we can bring parts from various countries and send remanufactured components to different regions.

Q: How do you handle parts that are no longer manufactured?

A: We maintain a large inventory of discontinued products. Thanks to our global network and the internet, we can source parts from places like Poland or the Czech Republic. Additionally, we send remanufactured components to several countries, functioning as a real-life technology archive. We have a detailed history of all the parts we have repaired, and with a solid base of experienced technicians, it is likely we have handled similar components in the past.

Q: How do you ensure that your automated systems and processes are up to date?

A: Staying updated is always a challenge. The company adopts a multibrand philosophy, meaning we are not limited to a single brand. We have a catalog with over 15 million SKUs that we can repair and test. We have technical datasheets for all components and have developed our own test benches, with several patents in the United States. These test benches need to adapt to the various languages and secrets of each manufacturer, as they often try to avoid repairing their equipment to encourage the purchase of new ones.

Although there is no legislation that prohibits repair, the right to repair can be limited by intellectual property policies. Manufacturers often want to protect their technologies to prevent cloning, but there are no laws preventing repair. As direct distributors of over 10,000 brands, we act as allies to these manufacturers. We often face problems with obsolete components and solutions like overhauling are an alternative to keep equipment operational.

Q: What role do you play in repairing obsolete electronic equipment?

A: We are a key partner for electronic component manufacturers, especially when dealing with obsolete materials. We work with manufacturers who also face problems with discontinued parts and help them resolve these challenges. Our experience and global network allow us to offer solutions when parts are no longer available. We act as an ally in managing obsolete inventories. Although geographic distribution can complicate matters, our ability to repair and reuse components is valued by our clients.

Q: How do you anticipate automotive clients’ needs in terms of innovation and automation?

A: Our engineering area addresses two main challenges: repairing new technology and replacing obsolete technology with modern alternatives. Our engineering team constantly receives inquiries about technological substitutions. Although we do not do direct integration, we have implemented service teams that visit plants to assess whether equipment can be repaired or needs to be replaced. These engineers advise on repair possibilities and available alternatives.

Q: How do you handle the integration of automation into your services?

A: We focus on providing practical solutions tailored to the client’s needs. Although we do not have field sales representatives, our service engineers are responsible for evaluating equipment and providing recommendations. We also continuously track manufacturers that are at the forefront of technology to ensure we are aware of the latest innovations and adaptations.

Q: How is Radwell International leveraging new technologies to provide replacement parts?

A: We use advanced technologies such as 3D printing to manufacture components that are no longer available on the market. Since it is impossible to maintain spare parts for all items, our technicians use 3D printing to create specific parts, such as plastic components. We also perform "swapping" processes, using scrap equipment to rescue valuable components. For diagnostics, we use modern equipment to read digital cards and employ infrared rays or radiation to identify faults.

Q: How does Radwell International ensure that its technicians are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge regarding emerging technologies? 

A: In Mexico, we have adopted a combined strategy to enhance our technicians' training. We recruit experienced professionals and send them for training in the United Kingdom and the United States to gain a solid foundation in automation and programming. We also collaborate closely with the Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM), one of the leading institutions in the country, to train young technicians in our workshops. This approach allows us to blend international experience with local development, ensuring our technicians are well-informed about both existing technology and the latest innovations.

Q: How do you manage practical training for technicians, considering the state of equipment at universities?

A: Universities in Mexico, despite having excellent teachers, often have basic equipment for training in automation. We thus complement theoretical education with practical training in our workshops, where technicians get hands-on experience with more advanced equipment. This ensures they are well-prepared to face technological challenges in the field.

Q: How does Radwell International contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability through its processes?

A: We play a key role in sustainability by providing a second life to equipment and extending its useful life. Our processes are very clean because we do not use harsh chemicals or emit pollutants. Our main challenge is packaging, as we need to ensure materials arrive in good condition without generating significant environmental impact. We are working to find more sustainable packaging solutions, using recycled materials and  reducing the use of packaging that could have a negative impact.

Q: What are Radwell International’s medium and long-term priorities in the automotive sector and how is it expanding its offerings and capabilities?

A: For the medium and long term, our priority will be to institutionalize our automation workshop and replicate our repair and warranty policy models for the automotive industry. We are expanding our distribution center in Mexico to 5,600m2 to maintain a large local inventory, complementing inventories in the United States and the European Union. We plan to continue accumulating components to support the automotive industry in the future. We know that the transition to full automation will take time, and our goal is to be well-positioned to support this evolution.

Q: What projects does Radwell International have for the remainder of 2024, and what goals does it hope to achieve?

A: We are excited to expand our facilities, which now include 18 workbenches, up from six. Our focus is on filling this new inventory and launching an aggressive communication and promotion program for our unique services. We are experiencing 300% growth compared to last year and expect to reach 1,000% growth before the year ends. We are in the right place, at the right time, with the necessary solutions.