End Client: Agrosilos Panamá
Contractor: Siemens El Salvador / Panama
Location: David and Chepo, Panama
Industry: Food – Storage, processing, and distribution of rice
The Challenge: Modernizing to Move Forward
Agrosilos Panamá faced a dual challenge: commissioning a new, modern facility in Chepo and upgrading its existing plant in David. Both operations required robust, scalable, and easy-to-maintain automation systems to efficiently manage the storage, processing, and distribution of rice.
The David plant operated with a legacy automation system, limited by proprietary technology that complicated maintenance, diagnostics, and future expansions. In contrast, the Chepo plant was designed from the ground up with industrial automation as a core element.
In response to this scenario, Siemens was selected to lead the design and implementation of the automation system. For the development of the control and visualization applications, Siemens relied on its certified “Automation Partner”, ingenia, to bring specialized industrial automation expertise to the project.
Project Objectives
- Implement modern and scalable industrial automation solutions
- Unify technologies and platforms across both facilities
- Optimize process control and visualization through SCADA systems
- Train operations, maintenance, and production staff for efficient and autonomous use of the new systems
Our Solution: Totally Integrated Automation
The solution was built upon Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) concept—a platform that ensures seamless integration of all industrial control system components.
Technologies Implemented:
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- SIMATIC ET200SP distributed I/O stations
- SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels and Siemens IPCs running WinCC (TIA Portal Professional)
- Industrial networks: ProfiNet, ProfiBus, and Modbus TCP/IP
Custom Integrations:
- Integration of existing weighing systems at the David facility
- Incorporation of new temperature and humidity sensors in the storage silos
A Flexible and Efficient Process
Project execution was carried out in multiple phases from 2018 to the present, combining on-site visits with remote support to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal downtime.
Key Milestones:
- Agrosilos-Chepo: On-time commissioning, integrating automation with mechanical and electrical disciplines
- Agrosilos-David: Complete system migration in under one week with virtually no disruption to production
Results and Benefits
- Increased autonomy and control for engineering and maintenance departments
- Enhanced data export and analysis capabilities for production reporting
- Continuous system improvement enabled by the scalability of the TIA architecture
“Thanks to our business relationship with ingenia, strengthened by their Siemens Automation Partner accreditation, the implementation of Agrosilos’ projects—based on the Totally Integrated Automation concept—has been successful and offers great potential for future expansion, upgrades, and integration with other client systems. ingenia’s industrial automation expertise has also enabled efficient and timely guidance in addressing Agrosilos’ technological needs and challenges.”
Diego Cruz Cañenguez – Siemens, S.A. – El Salvador
Looking Ahead
Agrosilos’ automation journey doesn’t end here. This project has laid the groundwork for a broader digital transformation, paving the way for:
- Integration of milling systems at both plants
- Expansion of automation systems to other production sites in Panama
- Readiness for Industry 4.0 through a solid and adaptable technological infrastructure
Looking to transform your plant with modern, scalable automation?
Contact us!