Building machines safely together

As of Jan. 14, 2027, machinery must meet the requirements of the new Machinery Regulation. That means machine builders have to go back to the drawing board and see what the changes mean for their machines. Fortunately, machine builders are not alone in this. fortop also couples the necessary knowledge to its wide range of safety products. "We sell solutions, not products," says Director Harmen Sikkema. "Together with the customer, we look at how we can make his machine work as efficiently and as safely as possible."

Light guards and safety controllers from Reer, PL e key locking systems and safety relays from DOLD, non-contact safety switches and sensors from .steute, radar protection from Inxpect, safety mats and switch strips from Mayser, safety laser scanners from Hokuyo Automatic: the list of what fortop has in terms of safety components under one roof is quite impressive. "We very consciously choose to compile our diverse assortment from different brands. All of them are family businesses with years of experience that develop only A-grade products. This allows us to offer not only a total range to our customers, but especially a lot of expertise and distinctive product features."

Support in safety

So top quality safety components, but that does not make it a safe machine. How those components are assembled and controlled is important. And for that, we are looking at the new Machinery Regulation that will officially take effect in 2027. "That final responsibility lies with the machine builder," Sikkema continues. "But we do everything we can to support him in this as best we can. Through our own knowledge and through short lines of communication with our suppliers." fortop makes it its mission to get the technology optimized and therefore safe. "With our broad specialist knowledge and expertise, we always strive for the optimal solution for our customers. At fortop we are crazy about technology and always look for the right solution, even when it does not yet exist. This is when our hands really start itching. Whether it is a unique custom solution or a standard approach. Building machines that are not only safe but also efficient is our priority. Because at fortop we believe that the right technology can make all the difference, both for our customers and the world around us." 

'Safe operations'

Fortop has selected five of these knowledge areas in which it wants to excel. "These knowledge areas are Fortop's five worlds," Sikkema says. Perfect power, safe operations, industrial connections, smart control and intelligent detection. "So safety is really in our DNA, in our core values," he adds. "We always start from the challenges that customers face, and then work out the right solution for them. In terms of security, we have identified five pillars: access, motion, signaling, prevention and emergency control. In each of these areas, the manufacturers we work with and the products they put on the market can add value. Because building efficient safe machines is a top priority for all of us."