Automation

What Automation does

Automation, Inc. is a Minneapolis-based value-added stocking distributor of industrial automation components, founded in 1981 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. The company distributes a multi-vendor product line spanning robotics (collaborative robots from Universal Robots, SCARA and 6-axis robots from Epson and Nachi, autonomous mobile robots from MiR), motion control (actuators, motors, VFDs, PLCs/PACs from Mitsubishi, Parker, NSK, Schneider Electric, Advantech), pneumatics and vacuum (Parker, Piab, Destaco), machine vision (Zebra, Apera AI, Datalogic, Sensopart, Basler), industrial controls and safety (Advantech, Schmersal, Weidmuller), material handling, and T-slot aluminum extrusion framing (Parker IPS). It holds certified IPS Design Center status with 10,000 sq ft of in-house framing manufacturing capacity and operates a Value Added Department for custom electrical panels, enclosures, sub-assemblies, and kitting.

The company's revenue model is a hybrid of hardware distribution (the largest stream, with product pricing available on quote), value-added services (IPS Design Center, custom assembly, kitting, application evaluations with proof-of-concept testing), and paid technical training (Mitsubishi PLC training at $499/person, Universal Robots certified core training at $1,200/seat). Go-to-market is a direct enterprise field sales motion with product specialists and application engineers covering six Midwest states (MN, ND, SD, western WI, IA, NE), supported by an inside sales function for quotes and bills of materials. Customer segments are organized horizontally across manufacturing end users, OEMs, and industrial partners/resellers, with applications spanning palletizing, machine tending, assembly, material handling, transportation, finishing, welding, and bin picking. Marketing and demand generation run through the company website, monthly email newsletter, social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X), and recurring in-person events including the annual Tech Fair and manufacturer-specific training seminars.

Name

Automation

Legal name

Automation, Inc.

Website

https://automationinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Distribution

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

Keywords

• Industrial automation distribution
• Robotics components
• Machine vision systems
• Motion control products
• Aluminum extrusion framing

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Automation Products Distribution: Automation, Inc. operates as a value-added stocking distributor of industrial automation components. They distribute products from multiple manufacturers including robotics, motion control, machine vision, pneumatics, electrical controls, and process control components. Revenue is generated through product sales, with services including application evaluations, engineering support, and value-added assembly.
2. Technical Services and Support: Application engineering services, product training, seminars, and local technical support. Includes IPS Design Center services for aluminum framing projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Automation, Inc. is a value-added stocking distributor of industrial automation components — robotics, motion control, machine vision, pneumatics, electrical controls, process control, and T-slot aluminum extrusion framing — sourced from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Electric, Parker, Universal Robots, Epson, and Piab. The company supplements distribution with in-house services including a 10,000 sq ft IPS Design Center for custom aluminum framing, a Value Added Department for custom assembly, application evaluation and proof-of-concept testing, and paid technical training programs on partner platforms.

Product overview

Automation, Inc. is a Minneapolis-based value-added stocking distributor established in 1981, serving the Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Western Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska) with industrial automation products and services. The company's offering centers on the IPS Design Center for extruded aluminum framing systems, complemented by eight core product categories: Robotics (cobots, AMRs, 6-axis, SCARA, Cartesian, gantry robots), Motion (actuators, motors, VFDs, PLCs, PACs), Pneumatics (air logic, cylinders, valves, vacuum equipment), Industrial Controls & Safety (HMI, industrial computers, SCADA, IoT), Vision (machine vision, cameras, lighting, lensing), Material Handling (conveyors, ergonomic handling, sensors), and Fencing (perimeter guarding). Services include the Value Added Department for custom assembly and manufacturing, Application Evaluations for proof-of-concept testing, and Training & Events programs. The company operates as a distributor of third-party manufacturers' products including Mitsubishi Electric, Parker, Universal Robots, Epson, Piab, Destaco, Zebra, and others, while providing in-house design, assembly, and technical support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IPS Design Center Value-added design and manufacturing service using Parker IPS T-slot aluminum framing systems for customized workstations, robot bases, pedestals, and modular frames, targeted at manufacturers and OEMs in the Midwest region.
• Value Added Department Custom in-house manufacturing and assembly service building electrical panels, control enclosures, camera mounts, modified components, sub-assemblies, kitted parts, and quality-tested assemblies for non-standard automation applications.
• Application Evaluations Engineering evaluation and proof-of-concept testing service covering vision evaluations, robotics evaluations, robotic time studies, control platform support, vacuum testing, and pneumatic testing to validate automation solutions before deployment.
• Training & Events Paid technical training programs and certification courses on partner automation platforms, including Mitsubishi PLC training, Universal Robots certified core training, and manufacturer-specific courses for Advantech, Epson, MiR, Parker, Schmersal, SensoPart, and Zebra.
• Robotics Distribution Distribution of collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), 6-axis articulated robots, SCARA robots, Cartesian robots, gantry robots, end-of-arm tooling, vision systems, sensors, and palletizers from manufacturers including Universal Robots, Epson, MiR, Destaco, RobotiQ, OnRobot, Nachi, and Apera AI.
• Motion Control Distribution Distribution of motion control components including actuators, motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), and PC-based motion control products from Mitsubishi Electric, Parker, NSK, Schneider Electric, Advantech, Dart Controls, Leeson, and Nidec.
• Pneumatics Distribution Distribution of pneumatic components including air logic, air motors, air preparation, ball valves, cylinders, fittings, flow controls, grippers, mufflers, pressure and temperature switches, proportional regulators, slides, thrusters, tubing, vacuum equipment, and valves from Parker, Piab, Destaco, and other manufacturers.
• Industrial Controls & Safety Distribution Distribution of industrial control systems including HMI, industrial computers, network components, remote I/O, SCADA software, IoT solutions from Advantech, safety switching products from Schmersal, and connection technology from Weidmuller.
• Machine Vision Distribution Distribution of machine vision products including heads-up displays, marking and identification systems, lensing, lighting, filters, industrial cameras, and mounting solutions from Zebra, Apera AI, Datalogic, Sensopart, CCS, Moritex, Advanced Illumination, Basler, and The Imaging Source.
• Material Handling Distribution Distribution of material handling solutions including conveyors, flexible feeding systems, ergonomic handling equipment, gear motors, linear bearings, robotic end-of-arm components, sensor cables and connectors, shock absorbers, and vibration isolation products.
• Fencing Distribution Distribution of perimeter guarding solutions for robotic work cells and machinery, supplied through partnership with WireCrafters.
• T-Slot Aluminum Extrusion Distribution Distribution of high-strength T-slot aluminum framing, systems, and components from Parker Industrial Profile Systems (IPS) for industrial applications including workstations, robot bases, and modular frames.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved productivity through consistent automation performance for extended periods
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Parker (IPS, Pneumatics, Compumotor, Daedal, Gearheads, Legris, Watts Fluid Air, Paraflex)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomation, Inc. is a certified IPS Design Center and authorized distributor of Parker products including pneumatics, motion controllers, linear positioners, gearheads, and tubing solutions. Parker is a key strategic manufacturer partner providing the IPS extruded aluminum framing systems.
• Mitsubishi ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor providing programmable controllers, motion controllers, inverters (VFDs), AC servos, HMI, SCADA and robots from Mitsubishi Electric across the Midwest territory.
• Universal RobotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Universal Robots collaborative robots (cobots) including UR3e, UR7e, UR12e, UR16e, UR20, UR30 models. Provides certified training for Universal Robots platforms.
• Epson RobotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Epson SCARA and 6-axis robots including GX Series, LS Series, T Series, RS Series, C Series, VT Series, and N Series robots across the Midwest region.
• MiR (Mobile Industrial Robots)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of MiR autonomous mobile robots including MiR250, MiR600, MiR1350, and associated top modules, pallet jacks, and software solutions.
• PiabcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides Piab vacuum solutions including suction cups, vacuum pumps, soft grippers, and end-of-arm tooling components for robotic automation.
• DestacocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Destaco Robohand grippers including electric and pneumatic actuation grippers, angular grippers, and parallel grippers for industrial automation applications.
• OnRobotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides tools and software for collaborative robots including grippers, force/torque sensors, and accessories.
• RobotiQcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnd-of-arm grippers, components, and kits provider for cobot solutions including palletizing, machine tending and welding applications.
• Nachi Robotic SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides 6-axis industrial robots and SCARA robots from Nachi for various automation applications.
• Kane RoboticsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntegration partner for finishing applications, providing preconfigured collaborative robot systems with customized programming.
• Melton Machine & Control CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntegration partner for welding solutions, developing precise and efficient robotic welding systems using cobots.
• ZebraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides industrial machine vision, fixed scanners, and barcode readers for quality inspection and track-and-trace applications.
• SensopartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhotoelectric sensors, optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and image processing solutions for factory automation.
• SchmersalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSafety switching products and systems provider for protecting human life and machines in industrial applications.
• AdvantechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides HMIs, industrial computers, industrial network components, edge computing, remote I/O, SCADA software, and IoT solutions.
• WeidmullerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Weidmuller SNAP IN connection technology and industrial network components for control cabinet applications.
• Industrial Profile Systems (IPS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading manufacturer of high-strength T-slot aluminum framing systems. Automation, Inc. is one of the select certified IPS Design Centers in the country with 10,000 sq ft manufacturing capability.
• CaptronminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCapacitive and optical sensors provider with TCP (tool center point) measurement technology for robotic automation calibration.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RS Group (RS Components / RS Online): Global broad-line industrial automation and electronics distributor carrying PLCs, motion control, pneumatics, robotics, and sensors from hundreds of manufacturers. Directly comparable distribution-plus-technical-support model to Automation, Inc., though at significantly larger scale and with global reach.
• Allied Electronics & Automation: North American industrial automation distributor (now part of RS Group) offering controls, motors, sensors, and pneumatics with technical support and engineering services. Closely mirrors Automation, Inc.'s value-added distribution model across a similar product breadth.
• AutomationDirect: Direct-to-customer industrial automation distributor selling PLCs, HMI, motion, pneumatics, and sensors at low margins. Same product categories as Automation, Inc., with a contrasting digital-direct go-to-market versus Automation, Inc.'s field-sales model.
• Kaman Industrial Technologies: Value-added industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, automation, and fluid power products with engineering services and field sales across multiple US regions. Comparable distributor-plus-engineering profile and co-member of the AHTD community.
• Heilind Electronics: Distributor of electronic components and industrial interconnect, automation, and sensor products with field engineering support. Same broad industrial distribution profile with similar value-added services and AHTD membership.

Broad incumbents

• Motion Industries: Large-scale industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and automation products across North America. Overlaps with Automation, Inc. in motion control, pneumatics, and industrial supplies, but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Grainger: Major US industrial MRO distributor with a growing automation and controls offering alongside its core maintenance and facilities products. Competes for the same industrial buyer wallet but with much broader non-automation catalog and national scale.
• Fastenal: US-headquartered industrial supply distributor with strong Midwest presence, increasingly expanding into automation, fasteners, and MRO services. Geographic overlap and shared Midwest manufacturing customer base make it a comparable, if much broader, incumbent.
• Applied Industrial Technologies: Public parent company of Automation, Inc. and itself a broad-line industrial distributor across bearings, fluid power, motion control, and automation. Parent operates the same distributor-plus-engineering model at national scale, making it the closest larger-context benchmark.
• McMaster-Carr: National industrial supply distributor with a deep mechanical, electrical, and automation catalog. Overlaps with Automation, Inc. on components sales to industrial buyers, but competes primarily on catalog breadth and speed rather than application engineering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/automationincmn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD9FwjThGE4cd_iVQPzeu8w?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/automationinc.mn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automation-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/automationinc.mn/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Automation