Reference
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for Factory and Process Automation
Our Work
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for factory and process automation place specific demands on modern IT architecture—reliability, seamless integration, and compatibility with existing systems are essential. For the milling group, we translated precisely these requirements into an architectural proposal and subsequently implemented a pilot project. After a detailed on-site analysis of the existing software and milling processes, it became clear: The locations are already highly digitized and automated—the challenge lies in maintaining this level with a future-proof, PLC-compatible tech stack without jeopardizing ongoing operations.
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Our Client: Who Is the Mühlengruppe?
The Bindewald & Gutting Milling Group is Germany’s largest family-owned milling group and operates several facilities, including the Saalemühle, the Dresdener Mühle, and the Plangemühle. The company produces high-quality flours and malt products for the food and brewing industries and relies on sustainable processes to reduce CO₂ emissions in grain cultivation. Using state-of-the-art technology and drawing on many years of expertise, the milling group combines tradition with innovation and contributes to future-oriented food production.
Digitalization in Flour Production: Programmable Logic Controllers for Factory and Process Automation
Project Success Story
For the Bindewald & Gutting Milling Group, we developed an architectural proposal and an SPS-compatible pilot project in C# and Angular—on-premises, during ongoing operations, without downtime, and with automated deployments.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The goal was to create a modern IT Environment to create a solution that will meet the needs of the entire milling group in the long term—one that is compatible with the existing PLC Control for Factory and Process Automation, reliable in the operation of critical infrastructure and designed so that the Modernization During Operation can be carried out without disrupting production.
Key Factors
- System Availability Without Downtime
- Coverage of all layers of the production system chain—user interface, backend, PLC control
- Compatibility with the existing PLC environment
- Security Guarantees for Critical Infrastructure
- Modernization during ongoing operations without interrupting production
- Scalability for future expansion to the entire group of mills
Implementation
- Joint tour of the mill and analysis of the existing software and process landscape
- Architecture proposal with C# on the backend and Angular on the frontend
- On-premises solution with no cloud dependency for maximum availability
- Joint Scrum workshop and close coordination with the software developers at Mühlengruppe
- PLC integration and central front-end controls in the pilot project
- Modernizing Software Processes with CI/CD Pipelines and GitLab
- Automated Deployment
Mill Group Functions
Results of the Collaboration
The pilot project is running successfully in live operation—in parallel with the existing system. It demonstrates that a modern, PLC-compatible IT landscape can be implemented without disrupting ongoing operations. The components we have provided, including automated deployment via CI/CD, form the foundation for the further modernization of the digital milling process across all locations. If the expected performance improvement is confirmed in live operation, nothing will stand in the way of a gradual expansion to all mills.
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Sebastian Wetzel
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