iTech have been in business since 1989 and were recently acquired by Booth Welsh in 2020. We caught up with iTech Managing Director, Chris McComb, to hear more about the history of the business and how the long-standing relationship between iTech and Booth Welsh is the perfect foundation for a successful acquisition.
Describe the services iTech provide?
“iTech are a small to medium sized Systems Integrator providing automation solutions to a wide range of industries, namely F&B, W&WW, Life Sciences and Aerospace. We work closely with trusted partners such as Siemens, Honeywell and Rockwell to deliver upgrades, expansions, migrations and fully greenfield systems. Recently iTech have moved into the digital arena utilising the 30+ years of experience in automation to deliver value added services to existing and new clients including asset management, operational efficiency solutions and robotics.”
What are some of the most notable projects in iTech’s history?
“Shin Etsu manufacturer silicon wafers for the semiconductor industry. Many organisations that deliver the machinery to do this type of project have stopped trading and as such the machinery is becoming difficult to maintain and the tight manufacturing tolerances are not being met. iTech are on a journey to update and modernise these machines globally for Shin Etsu, having completed 12 in Scotland and 8 in America, with many more still to be updated. The upgrades include new control systems (SCADA/IPC/HMI/PLC/Servo Drives/Motors/Safety/Network) and an enhanced user interface to allow greater control, flexibility, reliability and accuracy. iTech also have the ability to support these machines remotely and deliver software updates in the same manner. Shin Etsu have realised a vast improvement in throughput and reduction in scrap/rework as well as a significant reduction in the required maintenance of each machine.”
How has iTech evolved over the years to remain successful?
“Flexibility, wide client demographics and calculated reaction to market trends have enabled iTech to remain successful and more recently to grow by 50% in turnover, profit and personnel.”
Both Booth Welsh and iTech offer a suite of core services and digital solutions. How will they complement each other to provide value to clients?
“Booth Welsh are a process orientated organisation and iTech focus upon more discrete industries.Our combined offering offers each client a wider support matrix for all possible eventualities from FEED, electrical design, process design, panelbuild, installation, machine upgrades and development, safety audits and services (factory and process related), SCADA/PLC, Robotics, IIoT/Industry 4.0 solutions(Asset Mgt/OEE/Simulation/Virtual Commissioning), Drive systems (Servo and VSD), DCS, FAT/SAT solutions (traditional and virtual), etc”
What does the future look like for Booth Welsh and iTech?
“Positive and exciting. A focus on business development aligned with the ability to deliver all sizes of projects in most industry sectors. From small machine modifications to complex process plants, supported by a full complement of engineers, project managers and technicians all trained to deliver the best service to our growing portfolio of clients.”