SGS Australia has taken a major step forward in its digital transformation with the deployment of new robotic automation at our Oil Condition Monitoring (OCM) laboratory in Perth, Western Australia.
For decades, this NATA‑accredited facility has supported Australia’s mining, industrial and utilities sectors with reliable tribology and diagnostic services, including testing of key used‑oil suites such as engine oil, transmission oil and hydraulic oil, essential for monitoring equipment health and preventing costly failures. This first‑of‑its‑kind robotic system within SGS expands our national OCM capability, delivering faster, more consistent analysis and giving customers earlier, more reliable insights into equipment performance, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime.
Smarter, Faster, More Accurate Oil Condition Insights
Our newly deployed robotic system automates high volume oil condition monitoring workflows to deliver faster, more consistent and more accurate oil analysis results. By removing manual steps and integrating multiple testing stages into one continuous process, we can significantly increase laboratory throughput while improving precision. For Australian operators managing high value machinery, mobile fleets and fixed plant assets, this means faster turnaround times, clearer diagnostic reporting and stronger confidence in maintenance decisions.
Built Around the Needs of Australian Industry
Our new robotic system has been purpose‑designed to meet the reliability, scale and environmental conditions required across Australia’s mining hubs, energy facilities, processing plants and transport networks. By fully automating sample mixing, dilution and testing in a single continuous run, the system removes delays and variability that traditionally slows oil analysis. This provides customers with one consistent, end‑to‑end testing process, even when monitoring multiple equipment types, remote sites or complex plant configurations. With results delivered instantly into Sophia©, our digital reporting and trending platform, customers can access critical insights in real time, whether they are onsite, in the field or managing assets across multiple operations.
This includes:
- Equipment condition trends
- Historical sample results
- Alerts and early‑risk indicators
- Easy‑to‑use dashboards on mobile or desktop
These insights support faster, more confident decision making for maintenance planners, reliability engineers and site managers - helping them detect issues earlier and make reliability a competitive advantage.
Automation also frees our specialists to focus on what delivers the most value: advanced diagnostics, early risk identification and customised technical advice. This ensures customers receive a highly reliable, consistent oil analysis process at scale.
Better Reliability, Better Uptime, Better Planning
Effective oil analysis remains one of the most powerful tools for ensuring reliable operational performance. Robotic automation strengthens this by enabling:
- Reliable 24 to 48 hour turnaround times, even during high sample volumes
- Earlier detection of wear, contamination and lubricant degradation
- Greater consistency and accuracy through automated handling
- Improved maintenance planning and reduced operational risk
By identifying issues earlier, operators can extend component and lubricant life, reduce unplanned downtime and better protect high value assets.
Supporting SGS Strategy 2027
This robotic automation upgrade aligns directly with SGS Strategy 2027: Accelerating Growth, Building Trust, enhancing our digital capability and strengthening our position within the Australian Oil Condition Monitoring market.
“This investment positions SGS at the forefront of the Australian Oil Condition Monitoring market,” said Chris Howard, Business Manager.
“Robotic automation enhances precision, accelerates turnaround times and ensures our customers receive the consistent, high-quality insights they rely on to protect their most critical assets.”
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
