What Automation Group does

Automation Group was a Modesto, California-based industrial automation and controls engineering firm serving regulated and process-intensive manufacturers. Founded in 2003 and historically anchored in the food and beverage vertical, the company provided automation system design, control system integration, validation services, and ongoing operational support for plant-floor environments requiring regulatory compliance and reliability. Its core offerings spanned intelligence layers (AI/ML and Manufacturing Intelligence for predictive analytics), digital transformation services (IT/OT convergence, cybersecurity remediation), advanced software (MES/MOM, Digital Twin, FEED studies), controls integration (process automation, S88 batch, distributed control systems), and field devices (machine automation, robotics, motion control, safety systems). Specialized methodologies included a Zero Defect Delivery approach applied across 30+ data center projects, GxP data centralization for life sciences, and a system modernization framework for upgrading legacy PLC5/SLC controls without production downtime.

In October 2023, Automation Group was acquired by E Tech Group, an industrial automation services provider founded in 1993. The combined organization rebranded fully under E Tech Group by June 2024, consolidating Automation Group's workforce and client base within a parent entity operating 25 nationwide locations in the United States and employing over 600 professionals. Revenue is generated through enterprise field sales of high-value engineering and IT services — including design, implementation, validation, and ongoing support engagements — supplemented by recurring industrial automation service contracts. End customers span Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Data Centers, Electric Vehicles, Metals & Mining, Distribution & Logistics, Water & Utilities, and general manufacturing; pricing is not publicly disclosed and the company remains privately held. In November 2025, the rebrand era E Tech Group became the first recipient of an Enterprise CSIA Certification from the Control System Integrators Association, covering all locations and business units.

Name

Automation Group

Legal name

E Tech Group

Website

https://automationgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Automation Group, now operating as E Tech Group since June 2024, is an industrial automation and controls engineering services firm headquartered in Modesto, California, serving enterprise clients across Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Data Centers, Electric Vehicles, Mining, and other manufacturing verticals throughout 25 US locations with 600+ professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Engineering Services

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• Control system integration
• Manufacturing intelligence
• Process automation services
• Computer systems validation

Headquarters

HQ city

Modesto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Professional Services: High-value engineering and information technology services for all project phases including design, implementation, and validation of industrial automation systems
2. Industrial Automation Services: Controls engineering, system integration, and ongoing support services for industrial automation across multiple verticals

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Automation Group (now operating as E Tech Group following its 2024 rebranding) provides industrial automation and controls engineering services for manufacturing and process operations. The company delivers end-to-end capabilities including design, integration, and validation of control systems across verticals such as Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Data Centers, Electric Vehicles, Mining, and Distribution & Logistics, supported by 25 U.S. locations and more than 600 engineering professionals.

Product overview

Automation Group (now E Tech Group as of June 2024) offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial automation and digital transformation capabilities organized across five main categories: Intelligence (AI/ML, Manufacturing Intelligence), Digital Transformation (Cybersecurity, Industrial IT, IT/OT), Advanced Applications (MES/MOM, Digital Twin, Lab Automation), Controls (Process Automation, Control System Integration, Distributed Control Systems, S88 Batch), and Field Devices (Machine Automation, Robotics, Motion Control, Safety Systems). The company provides end-to-end services from FEED studies and software development to control panel fabrication and remote support. Key specialized offerings include GxP Data Centralization for life sciences, Zero Defect Delivery for data centers, and System Modernization Assessments for legacy PLC/SLC upgrades. The portfolio spans 25 locations across the US with over 600 professionals serving industries including Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, Data Centers, Automotive, Chemical, Water Utilities, Metals & Mining, Marine, and Consumer Products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Automation and Control System Integration

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ successful zero-defect projects across data center facilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Control System Integrators Association (CSIA)coreOthers · 5 November 2025E Tech Group (formerly Automation Group) became the first company to receive a comprehensive Enterprise CSIA Certification from the Control System Integrators Association. The certification demonstrates adherence to industry Best Practices across all its locations and business units. The enterprise-wide audit strategy highlights the company's operational consistency and strategic growth efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stone Technologies: CSIA-certified industrial automation integrator with a strong Food & Beverage and consumer goods focus. Direct overlap with Automation Group's original F&B heritage and process automation capabilities.
• Hallam-ICS: Independent CSIA-certified control system integrator providing automation, validation, and MES services to Life Sciences and regulated manufacturers. Closely overlaps with E Tech Group's Life Sciences and F&B delivery model.
• RoviSys: Independent industrial automation integrator with a similar multi-vertical footprint (Life Sciences, F&B, Data Centers, Chemicals). Competes head-to-head for the same enterprise control system integration and MES programs.
• DMC Engineering (now DMC, Inc.): Independent engineering and system integration firm delivering control system, SCADA, MES, and data analytics solutions to manufacturing clients. Similar mid-market enterprise profile and multi-vertical orientation.
• Matrix Technologies: CSIA-certified control system integrator of similar scale serving industrial process clients including Food & Beverage and Life Sciences. Overlapping PLC/DCS/SCADA integration and MES/MOM capabilities make it a direct competitor.
• Avanceon: Publicly listed industrial automation and system integration firm operating across F&B, Oil & Gas, and manufacturing verticals. Directly comparable services portfolio including control system integration, MES, and OT services.
• SAGE Automation: CSIA-certified independent system integrator delivering industrial automation and control solutions across manufacturing and infrastructure. Comparable in scope (controls integration, MES, OT cybersecurity) and customer mix.
• MAVERICK Technologies: Independent CSIA-certified control system integrator of comparable size serving Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, and consumer products. Closely matched business model (multi-vertical system integration, PLC/SCADA/DCS, MES, validation) and similar target customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Largest US industrial automation OEM with a global Solution Partner network. Competes indirectly as enterprise customers route through Rockwell-aligned integrators; relevant comparison for certification, scale, and OEM-led competition.
• Siemens (Digital Industries / Solution Partners): Global automation OEM with extensive Solution Partner program. Competes for the same enterprise PLC/SCADA/DCS and MES opportunities and represents a structural competitive threat to independent integrators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Automation_Crew
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/industrial-automation-group

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Group