Abstract :
The standard IEC 61131 is a complete framework for those in both the manufacturing and process industries involved in programmable controllers. Part 3 (61131-3) is the section concerning programming languages. It is my task to put the topic in the overall context of improving the competitiveness of British Industry against the ever increasing global competition, a daunting task for a humble engineer! In order to assess its importance in this respect, I put the standard in the wider context of improving our overall performance in the manufacturing and process sectors
