FORT WORTH, TX, June 20, 2025 – RS supplies Festo’s portfolio of process automation products designed for fluid control in industrial settings. The offering includes hardware such as process and pilot valves and remote I/O modules for integrated control and diagnostics. This allows engineers to standardize components while scaling up to intelligent control architectures.
Controlling how fluids move is imperative in industries, such as food and beverage, water treatment, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and chemicals. Using automation to move liquids, gases, or solid granules takes away the need for people to manually operate, reducing the chance of doing mistakes. Automated systems help keep work consistent, safer, and productive, and most importantly, the improved product quality.
Process automation systems have long delivered benefits. When integrated with Industry 4.0 tools commonly used in manufacturing, these systems gain additional capabilities such as IIoT-based remote monitoring and control. These enhancements are useful in environments where physical access is limited or there are safety issues, making smart process automation suited for compact or hazardous settings.
Festo process automation products provide performance, reliability, and control at every level of the automation pyramid – from top-level operations down to field-level devices – to provide all benefits associated with automated fluid process control. Festo’s comprehensive process automation catalog includes all of the operator-, control-, and field-level solutions and accessories required for industrial fluid process control. Solutions range from individual components, like solenoid pilot valves, process valves, sensors, limit switches, positioners, and actuators, to assembled and tested automated valves and smart remote I/O systems, controllers, and displays. Festo also offers three powerful online configurator tools that enable customers to build automated ball valves, actuated butterfly valves, and quarter-turn actuator assemblies.
Top selections from the RS portfolio of Festo process automation products for industrial fluid process control applications include:
- VZBE ball valve assemblies. These pre-engineered quarter-turn ball valve assemblies are designed to streamline procurement and installation by providing a standardized solution. The VZBE series includes stainless steel valves with Teflon seats and NPT threads, used in automotive, chemical, oil and gas, and semiconductor applications. Assemblies are available in both double-acting and spring-return configurations and are actuated using a pneumatic actuator developed by Festo.
- VSNC solenoid valves. The VSNC series NAMUR pilot valves are designed for use in process automation systems. They offer a range of valve and coil configurations, including single and double solenoid options, spool or poppet designs, and voltage ratings from 12VDC to 230VAC. A rotatable seal allows for easy switching between 3/2-way and 5/2-way operation. When paired with suitable coils, these valves can be used in hazardous locations, including Class 1, Division 1 environments. A rebreather function helps maintain actuator cleanliness and prevent moisture ingress.
- The CPX-AP-I remote I/O system. This system integrates components such as PLCs, valves, motors, drives, and I/O into a single terminal, either directly mounted or connected via cable, and operates under one IP address. This setup helps reduce the number of network nodes, which can lower hardware and installation requirements. Because many PLCs support only a limited number of IP addresses, the CPX-AP-I remote I/O system allows for more devices to be managed within that constraint.
Festo is a manufacturer of automation components and solutions for both process and factory environments, covering electric and pneumatic technologies. Its offerings are used across industries to support control, motion, and system integration tasks. With experience in engineering and an international presence, Festo enables manufacturers to standardize operations, improve reliability, and manage cost and performance across production lines.
RS offers an extensive selection of Festo products, including the operator-, control-, and field-level solutions and accessories you need to create complete process automation and factory automation systems. RS also offers industry- and application-specific support for Festo products throughout the engineering, installation, and maintenance phases.
For more information about Festo and its portfolio of process automation solutions, please visit the links embedded here and check out “Process automation valves,” an RS expert advice interview with Matthew Glicksman, head of product market management – process automation at Festo North America.
Source: RS
About Festo
Festo, headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany, is a family-owned company founded in 1925. It specializes in pneumatic and electric automation technologies, offering a catalog of over 36,000 products and tailored automation solutions to more than 300,000 customers across 35 industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, medical devices, semiconductors, and laboratory systems. Festo also operates Festo Didactic, which develops technical education and training programs for industrial and academic institutions worldwide. As of 2024, the company employs approximately 20,600 people in 250 offices across more than 60 countries and maintains manufacturing and logistics operations in 22 locations. Its global distribution network spans 176 countries. In 2024, Festo reported annual revenues of around €3.45 billion, allocating over 8 percent of its revenue to research and development. The company serves both process and factory automation markets and is engaged in advancing capabilities in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainable manufacturing technologies.
About RS
RS Group plc is a UK-headquartered distributor of industrial and electronic components, serving manufacturing, energy, transportation, healthcare, and automation sectors. Founded in 1937, the company supports over 1.1 million customers with a catalog of more than 830,000 stocked products and access to an extended range of five million items sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. RS operates in 36 markets and offers a combination of product supply, digital procurement services, and engineering support to customers involved in design, build, and maintenance workflows. Its product portfolio includes automation components, test and measurement tools, electronic parts, and industrial maintenance supplies. The company continues to invest in supply chain infrastructure, inventory management systems, and digital platforms to improve service efficiency. RS focuses on helping industrial clients enhance operational reliability and reduce downtime through its multi-channel service model and global logistics network.