Technology

RS and Schneider Electric facilitate smart manufacturing

Published

1 year ago

March 24, 2025

Schneider Electric’s Lexium product portfolio, available at RS, makes it easy and economical for small- and medium-sized industrial organizations to deploy cobots as part of fully integrated smart manufacturing solutions designed to improve process quality, productivity, efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RS, a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, offers Schneider Electric’s Lexium product portfolio, which combines innovative, tested and proven mechanical, electrical, and PLC logic devices — including cobots — with powerful, intuitive software to provide end-to-end integrated smart manufacturing solutions ideal for use in automotive, electronics, consumer packaged goods, metal, machinery, life science, logistics, and warehouse applications.

The Lexium product portfolio makes it easy and economical to deploy end-to-end integrated smart manufacturing solutions.

Smart manufacturing is an umbrella term for Industry 4.0 processes that utilize automation and digitization to improve things like quality, productivity, efficiency, safety, and sustainability, and these processes are fueled by interconnected, data-driven networks of industrial machines, including a steadily increasing number of robots.

While robotics certainly aren’t a new concept, today’s industrial robots are more accessible than ever due to greater market availability combined with a lower total cost of ownership driven by increased competition, technological advancements, economies of scale, improved energy efficiency, and labor cost savings. This has made industrial robots a more attractive and attainable solution for overcoming common market challenges, including skilled labor shortages, and meeting quality and sustainability goals than they were in years past.

Industrial robotics installations grew 31% between 2020 and 2021 and have continued to climb steadily since — with the 541,302 industrial robots deployed in 2023 falling just 2% shy of the record 552,946 units installed in 2022. Collaborative robots, or cobots, which are designed to safely share workspace with humans, are one of the fastest-growing segments of this market, accounting for 10.5% of industrial robots deployed in 2023 and reaching a global market value of $2.14 billion in 2024 with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.6% from 2025–2030.

When coupled with advanced digitization and automation technologies, cobots can leverage the constant, real-time data-sharing capabilities of all the connected devices in their network to automate and optimize manufacturing processes, reduce or replace operator workloads, and improve process performance, quality, agility, consistency, efficiency, and safety. The Lexium product portfolio from Schneider Electric is especially designed to enable these types of fully integrated smart manufacturing systems.

Schneider Electric’s Lexium cobots, for instance, are designed to work alongside humans as part of fully integrated robotics systems that improve productivity and efficiency and reduce unplanned downtime. To that end, Lexium cobots offer a number of impactful advantages, including:

High performance. Lexium cobots exhibit high position accuracy and accurate joint servo control and reliably perform monotonous, tedious, repetitive, and physically challenging tasks.

Compact and lightweight aluminum form factors. Ranging from just 3–18kg (~6.5–40lbs), Lexium cobots require 30–40% less space than traditional robotic cells.

Ruggedness. Lexium cobots robustly withstand the hazards of challenging industrial environments with standard IP54 and optional IP68 sealing.

Safety. Lexium cobots are equipped with a series of sensors to avoid collisions with human workers and programmed to stop immediately in the event of unexpected contact, which enables harmless collaboration with humans and negates the need for safety barriers. They also have rounded edges, force limits, light weights, and optional visual protection and precise form control. Electrical safety certifications include UL1740. Functional safety certifications include ISO 13849-1, ANSI/RIA R15.06, CAN/CSA Z434, NFPA79, and CAN/CSA C22.2 No.14.

Easy setup. Lexium cobots support plug-and-play functionality and teach-in, free-drive, and graphical programming, which — unlike traditional industrial robots — makes setup accessible to operators with virtually any skill level rather than just those with advanced computer programming skills.

Easy integration. Lexium cobots utilize open software and hardware platforms, support External Short Messaging Entity (ESME) function blocks, vision systems, and digital twin capabilities to reduce commissioning time and ease implementation.

Dynamic connectivity. Lexium cobots support wireless connections with tablets, a wide range of fieldbuses, and iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.

Flexibility. Unlike traditional industrial robots, Lexium cobots are designed to support the needs of multiple projects. They can engage in both cooperative and collaborative work and are easy to move, reinstall, and reprogram.

Cost effectiveness. The inherent flexibility of Lexium cobots delivers a better return on investment (ROI) than traditional robots, which also require secondary products like safety barriers that add to the total cost of ownership.

Broad Application Suitability: Lexium cobots are especially well-suited for use in small- and medium-sized businesses within the automotive, electronics, and food and beverage manufacturing, metals, machining, life science, logistics, and warehouse industries. Ideal applications include pick-and-place, assembly, loading and unloading, dispensing, inspection, quality testing, machine tending, bin picking, packaging, palletizing, material handling, gluing, welding, painting, polishing, screw-driving, soldering.

Other Schneider Electric products that enable fully integrated Lexium robotics systems include high-performance multi-axis machines and dynamic servo drive technology designed to enable high-speed motion and precise positioning and software designed to unite system components into a suite of connected products. Examples include:

Modicon motion controllers, which integrate PLC, motion, and robotics control functionalities on a single hardware platform and are built using open automation standards and protocols that enable flexibility, scalability, and ease of integration with third-party equipment.

Lexium servo motors and drives, which are designed to satisfy a wide variety of high-performance, power, and ease of use demands in independent and synchronized motion control applications. This portfolio offers models rated for up to 24kW in addition to integrated servo drive models designed to be used as decentralized drives in machine building applications. When combined with a Modicon controller or PLC, Lexium Integrated servo drives make it easy to create complex and economical control architectures. They can also be equipped with an AC synchronous servo motor, a DC brushless motor, or a stepper motor.

EcoStruxure Machine Expert software, an open, IoT-enabled, and interoperable platform that allows users to develop, configure, and commission the various components of Lexium robotic systems in a single software environment; enables the flow of collaborative data between smart products, robots, controls, software, and services; and is designed for intuitive operation to reduce engineering time.

EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin, a scalable digital twin software suite that allows users to create digital models of real machines and use those models to optimize their virtual design, virtual commissioning, and agile development and enable the parallel engineering of mechanical, electrical, and control work assignments, which can reduce time-to-market by up to 50% and decrease commissioning time by up to 60%.

To learn more about the RS selection of Schneider Electric products designed to enable end-to-end integrated smart manufacturing solutions — including Lexium cobots, servo motors, and drives, Modicon motion controllers, EcoStruxure Machine Expert software, and EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin software — visit the links embedded here and check out Schneider Electric’s most recent RS Expert Advice article, “Industrial collaborative robots: The pillars of smart manufacturing.”

For assistance navigating Schneider Electric’s Lexium product portfolio and identifying, implementing, and maintaining the best solutions for your fully integrated smart manufacturing solutions, please contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722 or reach out to the RS technical support team.

About RS
RS is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.

We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products, and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital, and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference.

Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet, and profit.

RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.

For more information, please visit https://www.rsgroup.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).

About RS in the Americas
In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These solutions cover categories extending from automation and control equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical components and include more than 80,000 high-quality, competitively priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit https://us.rs-online.com or connect with us via social media on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:
Erica Goode, RS Director of Marketing – U.S. and Canada
Erica.Goode@rsgroup.com

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SOURCE RS

Technology

Eddid Financial Honored with “Professional Services Award in RWA” by HKCT Highlighting its Leading Edge in Web3 and Digital Assets

Published

11 seconds ago

May 4, 2026

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eddid Financial (the “Group”) has won the “Professional Services Award in RWA” at the HKCT Business Awards, hosted by the Hong Kong Commercial Times. The award recognizes the Group’s exceptional professional service capabilities and innovative achievements in the Real-World Assets Tokenisation (“RWA”) sector. This prestigious honor serves as a strong industry endorsement of the Group’s dedicated efforts in the RWA space, affirming its leadership in bridging traditional and digital finance while injecting significant momentum into Hong Kong’s digital asset market.

The HKCT Business Awards evaluates candidates based on four core criteria: corporate achievements, market competitiveness, brand philosophy, and professional standing. As one of the most credible and influential business awards in Hong Kong, it aims to recognize outstanding enterprises across various sectors for their performance over the past year, encouraging companies to continuously enhance their core competitiveness and pioneer innovative economic directions. During this year’s selection process, the judging panel conducted a comprehensive assessment of Eddid Financial’s compliance infrastructure, innovative services, and industry contributions within the RWA sector, highly commending the Group’s professional strength and forward-looking vision in asset tokenisation.

Compliance-Driven: Building a Full-Chain Service Ecosystem

As a licensed pioneer in Hong Kong’s RWA landscape, Eddid Financial has consistently relied on compliance as its foundation and innovation as its driving force. Having deeply cultivated the digital asset space for years, the Group has established a full-chain professional service ecosystem that encompasses asset screening, product design, compliance auditing, and distribution operations. Eddid Securities and Futures, a subsidiary of the Group, became one of the first brokerages in Hong Kong to upgrade its licenses in September 2023. It subsequently secured further upgrades for its Type 1 and Type 9 regulated activity licenses, making it one of the few institutions authorized to distribute tokenised securities and RWA products. This regulatory milestone has laid a solid, compliant foundation for the Group’s RWA business operations.

Successful Launch of Landmark Precious Metal RWA Projects

In terms of practical application, Eddid Financial has actively spearheaded the launch of several landmark RWA projects, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Notably, the Group partnered with Timeless Resources Holdings Limited (8028.HK) and HashKey Chain to introduce Hong Kong’s first silver RWA project. By leveraging blockchain technology to tokenise physical silver assets, each digital coin is backed 1:1 by one ounce of physical silver, strictly held by an independent trustee. This initiative not only lowers the barrier to entry for precious metal investments but also enhances asset liquidity. The project’s product design and issuance framework received a “no further comment” reply from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), demonstrating the highest standard of compliance.

Concurrently, the Group has collaborated with CAC Fintech to advance China’s first agricultural RWA project. By converting agricultural products, land management rights, and future agricultural revenue rights into on-chain digital certificates, this project addresses critical pain points such as poor liquidity and low financing efficiency in agricultural assets. Furthermore, it supports the national rural revitalization strategy and explores novel pathways for the innovative integration of agricultural assets with financial markets.

Leading the Upgrade of the Regional RWA Industry

Beyond launching landmark projects, Eddid Financial continues to drive the ecosystem construction and market development of the RWA sector. The Group’s research department published the “Core Guide to RWA: From Basic Theory to Global Practice,” sharing its leading experience in asset tokenisation to help establish industry standards. Simultaneously, the Group has built a tripartite development model encompassing “Technology + Compliance + Ecosystem”. Internally, it has assembled a dedicated fintech team to advance underlying technologies; externally, it connects core stakeholders, including asset holders, investors, and licensed exchanges, to form a comprehensive RWA service ecosystem that provides clients with all-encompassing, one-stop professional services.

Looking ahead, Eddid Financial will continue to leverage its comprehensive licensing advantages, expert service teams, and robust technical support to drive the digital transformation of a diverse range of real-world assets. The Group is committed to delivering highly flexible, efficient, and compliant RWA services to its clients while actively supporting the standardized and international development of Hong Kong’s digital asset market, thereby cementing Hong Kong’s status as a premier global digital finance hub.

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SOURCE Eddid Financial

Technology

Elevate Appoints Wade Clark as Chief Growth Officer

Published

13 seconds ago

May 4, 2026

Industry veteran to lead organic growth strategy across Elevate’s national platform

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Elevate, a national operator-led accounting and advisory platform, today announced the appointment of Wade Clark as Chief Growth Officer. Clark brings more than 30 years of experience building and leading sales organizations at top U.S. accounting and consulting firms, including Moss Adams (now Baker Tilly), BKD (now Forvis Mazars), Carr Riggs & Ingram, BDO USA, and Ernst & Young.

In this role, Clark will lead organic growth across Elevate’s partner firms, building a unified, data-driven growth function that complements the platform’s active M&A strategy and deepens advisory relationships firmwide.

Most recently, Clark spent nine years at Moss Adams, where he built and scaled the sales coaching function supporting 1,000+ partners, directors, and senior managers across 45 practices in a $1.3 billion firm. Earlier, as Chief Growth Officer at Carr Riggs & Ingram, he built the firm’s first growth function and helped drive revenue from $70 million to $100 million in three years. At BKD, he played a central role in the firm’s expansion from $190 million to $400 million, primarily through organic growth. He is the author of Meaningful Success in Business as well as Simplifying Complex Sales, reviewed by Accounting Today as one of the best books on selling professional services.

“Wade has built and led growth organizations at scale, and he knows what it takes to drive consistent, measurable results across a distributed partnership,” said Sanjay Agarwal, CEO and Founder of Elevate. “As we continue to execute on both M&A and organic growth, Wade’s ability to bring structure, accountability, and rigor to revenue generation will be a meaningful differentiator for our partner firms and their clients.”

“What attracted me to Elevate is the clarity of vision and the commitment to building a true operating platform — not just a collection of firms,” said Clark. “The opportunity to architect a scalable growth engine across a national footprint, alongside partner firms who are already leaders in their markets, is incredibly compelling.”

Clark is based in Houston, Texas, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas A&M University.

About Elevate

Elevate is a national accounting and advisory platform built by operators. The firm partners with leading CPA firms to provide the technology, infrastructure, and strategic support needed to drive sustainable growth, enhance client service, and unlock long-term value. Elevate’s operator-led model preserves firm autonomy while delivering the scale, talent, and technology of a unified platform.

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SOURCE Elevate LLC

Technology

Meiyume (Group) LTD Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating for 2026, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Beauty

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2026

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

SOURCE Meiyume