New chairman

Richard Barnes is the new Chairman of the Fieldbus Foundation UK Marketing Committee (FFUKMC). Currently AMS Consultant - Strategic Services Group Europe, at Emerson Process Management, he replaces Mike O’Neill of R.Stahl who stepped down from the position after nearly two years, following a career move.

Mike Keightley of Yokogawa has taken over the position of Vice-Chairman from Barnes.

The FFUKMC was formally established in 1999 to promote an increased awareness and adoption of FOUNDATION™ technology throughout Great Britain and Ireland through a range of end user focused activities including technology seminars and roadshows, technical demonstrations and support, and trade show and conference participation. Barnes has been an active member of the FFUKMC since June 2011 when he took over the position of Vice-Chairman.

Fully supported by the Fieldbus Foundation EMEA Executive Advisory Council (EAC) and the Fieldbus Foundation EMEA Steering Committee, the FFUKMC plays an important role in promoting the primary value propositions of FOUNDATION technology, which include process integrity, business intelligence and open, scalable integration of information across process manufacturing plants.

Marc Van Pelt, Vice-President – Fieldbus Foundation EMEA Operations, welcomed Barnes into his new role. “I am delighted that Richard has offered to take on an increased role within the UK marketing committee. His enthusiasm will continue to build on the achievements of the past few years. We are very grateful to Mike O’Neill for his contribution to these efforts and we wish him well in his new role.”

Barnes studied electrical and electronic engineering and has worked with Emerson Process Management for over 25 years in various roles with Rosemount and Fisher-Rosemount system projects and asset optimisation business units. In his present role at the Nottingham facility, he supports the asset management and optimisation strategies of his European customer base.

Over the next 12 months, Barnes is keen to clarify to users and prospective users of FOUNDATION technology how effective the technology can be in process plant control and monitoring solutions – especially in the significant reduction of capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX). He is also committed to promoting the importance of up-front project planning and the adoption of industry best practices in order to maximise the success and maintenance of a FOUNDATION project implementation.


They havw announced the first of its 2013 schedule of end user events – a study day in London on Tuesday 26 February, 2013. With a morning session focused on an introduction to FOUNDATION technology, a lunch break with tabletop displays and additional break-out sessions, and an afternoon session offering a more advanced programme, delegates will be able to tailor the day to suit their own requirements. Visit the FFUKMC events webpage for more information.

The FFUKMC recently welcomed Rotork and Beamex as member companies, bringing the total membership to 16 companies. Rotork is a British-based manufacturer of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic valve actuators and associated control systems, and Beamex is a provider of integrated calibration solutions. The FFUKMC membership now includes: ABB, Beamex, Beka Associates, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, MTL –Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Moore Industries, Pepperl+Fuchs, Rockwell Automation, Rotork, R.Stahl, Smar, Turck, Vega and Yokogawa. Membership enquiries are always welcome.