A WIDNES manufacturer has designed a new device which allows industrial workers to operate appliances from their phones.

Genlab, a thermal engineering manufacturer based at Riverview industrial estate in Tanhouse Lane, has designed an innovative touch-screen controller that enables users to view and modify the settings of industrial appliances.

The controller, which is powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology, works on a range of the company’s industrial products such as its ovens, incubators and drying cabinets.

The device allows users to configure settings, such as the temperature and timer of an appliance.

It also alerts users when the appliance is due to be serviced, and when its warranty is about to expire.

Through working with business support programme LCR 4.0, Genlab has built a quick response code function into the controller, meaning users can view the digital appliance manual instantly on their smart phone.

Phil Crompton, finance director at Genlab said: "Most industrial ovens and incubators still come with traditional switches and dials which are often not that accurate or flexible.

"We wanted to use the latest technology to create a practical and easy-to-use controller that can be used with a wide range of products.

"This will now give the customer far greater accuracy along with much more functionality."