RMGroup becomes the UK’s first certified robot integrator

RMGroup UK (Rees Machinery Group) has become the first integrator in the UK to be accredited under the RIA/BARA Robot Integrators’ Certification Scheme.

The leading automated packaging machinery and service company was awarded (26 January 2021) certified status following a successful audit at their headquarters in Newtown (‘Y Drenewydd’), Wales. It required the integrator to meet a rigorous set of national and international standards to ensure business compliance and capability.

The certification scheme is the benchmark to assess robot integrators’ technical knowledge and safety practices. The UK scheme was born out of the need to standardise integrators’ quality and workmanship, plus recognise effective safety controls to help give companies a competitive edge.

Rosie Davies, director of RMGroup UK, said: “We are delighted to be the first integrator to achieve certification in the UK. It demonstrates RMGroup’s ability to deliver systems as per the required technical expectations. It also assures end users that our expert programming team has the skillset to undertake a variety of integration projects.

“The audit process was thorough, which gave us a great deal of confidence to know that we meet all the key performance and safety indicators from two reputable trade bodies.

“To have an independent register of certified robot integrators is vital for companies that are looking to automate, as it serves to verify customer reference sites and recommendations. We would certainly recommend the certification scheme to other UK integrators,” added Davies.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hadall, principal auditor for RIA (Robotic Industries Association) and BARA in the UK, said: “Integrators need to demonstrate that they are committed to providing the best service possible for their customers. The audit looks at the integrator’s technical approach, their project management processes, and how they ensure their system safety, service facilities and staff competencies all operate to the highest standards.

“RMGroup’s expert technologists were audited on an ABB IRB460 robot to prove their proficiency using the robot safely, its functionality and creating a programme based on a palletising operation.

“I was really impressed how seriously the team at RMGroup took the audit, which included having the evidence and staff available to back up the self-assessment scorecard they completed prior to formal audit. It ensured the audit went smoothly,” added Hadall.

All companies certified under the RIA/BARA Robot Integrators’ Certification Scheme are required to be re-audited every two years using the same 25-point list of measurable criteria. Therefore, choosing an independently audited integrator means that the risk to the end-user making the in-vestment is reduced. More information on the certification scheme and a list of certified robot integrators can be found on the BARA website (www.bara.org.uk).

UK-based robot integrators who are interested to become certified can complete a free self-as-sessment here to ensure they meet the necessary criteria.

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