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Comact is a North American pioneer in timber technology and a global leader in high-performance OEM wood-processing systems. As a Platinum-level OEM and longtime Rockwell Automation Partner, the company has spent more than a decade advancing smarter, more efficient sawmill automation.
At the 2026 PartnerNetwork™ Conference, Rockwell recognized Comact’s transition to motor control centers (MCC) standardization with an OEM Innovation Award. Comact’s strategic move reduced lead times and engineering effort while strengthening the value they deliver to the industry’s largest timber producers in North America.
- Long and unpredictable lead times for engineered VFD panels
- High engineering effort and costs due to custom panel designs and lengthy approval cycles
- Limited scalability and repeatability across projects
- Operational and startup risk due to inconsistent designs, complex commissioning, and support challenges in the field
- Standardized on CENTERLINE® 2100 MCCs to gain a scalable platform
- Deployed PowerFlex® drives and SMC™ Flex soft starters for flexible, dependable motor control
- Simplified control using Allen-Bradley® motor starter components to improve reliability and commissioning speed
- Connected systems using Stratix® switches to enable a more integrated, serviceable architecture
- Unified power, protection, and control in MCCs to streamline installation and support
- Reduced manufacturing time by 60% and eliminated engineering approval cycles, resulting in up to 80% faster MCC shipments
- Enabled more predictable prices
- Reduced MCC quoting time by 50%
- Decreased operational risk and disruptions
- Improved safety, quality, and compliance for customers while simplifying service and support
As project volumes and complexity increase in the wood processing industry, Comact looked for a more scalable way to design and deliver its innovative solutions for new greenfield sawmills and phased modernization efforts in existing mills. Rockwell helped Comact create a standardized approach to streamline builds and improve commissioning speed.
“Reliability of delivery is a strategic advantage in capital-intensive wood-processing projects,” said Michel Sicard, Vice President IT Infrastructure and Engineering, Comact. “With Rockwell we’ve turned a traditionally custom, high-risk electrical scope into a standardized platform that can be deployed consistently across customer projects.”
Challenge
Scaling execution while reducing complexity
Comact was under pressure to scale its operations while also cutting lead times and lowering engineering effort. Its reliance on customized VFD panel designs reduced flexibility and slowed delivery. It also introduced variability across diverse customer projects. As demand increased, these issues made it harder to maintain predictable performance and manageable costs.
Comact aimed to adopt a more standardized, repeatable design model that would reduce operational risk and improve parts availability. This approach would also simplify engineering, commissioning, and long-term support for its customers.
Solution
Standardization That Enables Repeatable Delivery
Comact partnered with Rockwell Automation to standardize its motor control approach and improve project execution. The company replaced custom VFD panels with CENTERLINE® 2100 MCCs, creating a scalable, repeatable platform. It deployed PowerFlex® drives, SMC™ Flex soft starters, and Allen Bradley motor starter components to deliver flexible, consistent motor control, with simplified design and accelerated commissioning. Stratix® switches enabled a more connected, serviceable architecture.
By unifying power, protection, and control within MCCs, Comact streamlined installation, reduced complexity, and improved ongoing support across its operations. Lumen, Comact’s Rockwell Automation Authorized Distributor, contributed to execution fluidity and the success of Comact’s new approach.
“Our teams see this innovation as a tangible change: less complexity, greater predictability, and better tools to deliver and support our projects,” said Michel Sicard, Vice President IT Infrastructure and Engineering, Comact. “It makes their work easier while strengthening the quality of the solutions we provide to our customers.”
Result
Faster delivery. Lower risk.
Comact accelerated project execution and improved consistency across deployments by standardizing its approach. With manufacturing time reduced by 60% and elimination of engineering approval cycles, Rockwell MCCs can be delivered to Comact in as little as four weeks. Standardized configurations also enabled more predictable pricing and reduced MCC quoting time by 50%, improving Comact’s planning and responsiveness to customers.
MCC standardization improved Comact’s system quality and safety while also strengthening compliance across projects. The consistent design lowers site risk for its customers and helps them streamline spare-parts strategies and reduce redundant inventory. This innovation enables Comact to deliver robust, dependable, and readily available solutions, creating a stronger competitive position for the company.
“Actively adopting new Rockwell technology is a strategic choice that supports our long-term competitiveness, execution excellence, and customer value well beyond individual products,” said Sicard. “This directly supports Comact’s ability to execute projects better.”
“Our experience working with Rockwell has been that of a true strategic partnership. Rockwell has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of Comact’s business realities as a global OEM, and has aligned with our objectives around standardization, scalability, and execution excellence."
Michel Sicard - Vice President IT Infrastructure and Engineering, Comact
Published July 29, 2026