What Routeco does

Routeco Limited is a UK-headquartered specialist distributor of industrial automation and control products, operating as a subsidiary of the global electrical distribution group Sonepar. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Milton Keynes with additional service centres in Leeds, Manchester, and Bristol, the company serves manufacturers, OEM/machine builders, and process-industry customers across the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands. Its core product offering spans programmable logic controllers, drives, motion control, I/O systems, sensors, safety equipment, industrial networking, robotics, and machine vision, distributed under authorized partnerships with Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley), Cisco, Schneider Electric (APC), Cognex, DENSO, Doosan, Comau, and Autonox24. Routeco holds the distinction of being Cisco's first Advanced IoT Industry Expert Specialized Partner in the UK and was named Rockwell Automation's Distributor of the Year (North Region) in 2024.

The company's business model combines product resale with value-added services, generating revenue through hardware sales, software subscriptions, professional engineering services, and managed mechatronics solutions. Standardization on Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 programming environment across its robotics and motion control partners creates an integrated ecosystem that reduces customer integration friction. Routeco complements distribution with a 3D laser panel machining centre, eBusiness procurement integration, technical support contracts, training, repairs, and Fiix CMMS asset management software. Go-to-market is sales-led, with field technical specialists at regional service centres supplemented by a B2B e-commerce platform (a new version is rolling out in 2024), large customer events such as Routeco LIVE, and co-marketed supplier seminars. Pricing is quotation-based for solutions and trade-pricing-gated for registered business accounts, with typical payment terms of 30 days from invoice.

Name

Routeco

Legal name

Routeco Limited

Website

https://routeco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Routeco is a UK-headquartered specialist distributor of industrial automation and control products, serving manufacturers, OEM/machine builders, and process-industry customers across the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands as an authorized distributor for Rockwell Automation, Cisco, and Schneider Electric APC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Distribution

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Edge Control & IIoT Gateways (Edge PLCs, Data Acquisition, MQTT/OPC UA) (IMAGABAI)

Keywords

• Industrial automation distribution
• Control systems products
• PLCs and drives
• Robotics integration solutions
• Mechatronics engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton Keynes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Automation Products Distribution: Routeco distributes industrial automation and control products from leading manufacturers including Rockwell Automation, Cisco, Schneider Electric and robotics vendors. Revenue generated from product sales with trade pricing for registered customers.
2. Software Sales: Sales of Rockwell Automation software products with multiple purchase options including leasing, software bundles and volume discounts.
3. Technical Services: Engineering services, training, repairs, asset management, and technical support contracts.
4. Mechatronics Solutions: Custom robotics and automation solutions including robotics, vision, pneumatics, control systems and machine safety integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Routeco is an authorized specialist distributor of industrial automation and control products, operating as the primary channel for Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) products in the UK, Austria, and Netherlands. The company distributes a comprehensive portfolio including PLCs, drives, motion control, I/O systems, machine vision, industrial networking, robotics, and UPS power protection from leading manufacturers. Beyond product distribution, Routeco delivers value-added mechatronics integration services, engineering support, training, repairs, asset management, IT-OT convergence consulting, panel customisation via its 3D laser centre, and B2B e-commerce procurement solutions.

Product overview

Routeco is an industrial automation distributor and solution provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The core offering centers on distributing automation hardware from major manufacturers including Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley (PLCs, drives, motion control, I/O), Cognex (machine vision), Cisco (industrial networking), and robotics from Doosan, DENSO, Comau, and Autonox24. Routeco's value proposition extends beyond distribution to include mechatronics integration services, engineering, asset management, and IIoT/IT-OT convergence consulting. The company operates as an authorized distributor for Rockwell Automation across the UK, Austria, and Netherlands, and is Cisco's first Advanced IoT Industry Expert Specialized Partner in the UK. Recent additions include APC UPS products from Schneider Electric, expanding their power conditioning portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rockwell Automation Products Authorized distribution of Rockwell Automation's industrial automation portfolio including Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix), Kinetix motion control, PowerFlex drives, I/O systems, and industrial networking solutions for manufacturers and machine builders in the UK, Austria, and Netherlands.
• Cognex Machine Vision Systems Distribution of Cognex machine vision systems and sensors for component identification, defect detection, product assembly verification, and robot guidance, including DataMan industrial OCR and In-Sight vision systems.
• Cisco Industrial Networking Distribution of Cisco IT and industrial networking products including industrial Ethernet switches (IE 1000, IE 2000, IE 3000 series), UCS mini, ASA firewall, and Catalyst switches for manufacturing and industrial environments, supporting IT-OT convergence.
• Collaborative and Industrial Robotics Distribution Distribution of industrial and collaborative robots from Doosan Robotics (A-Series, M-Series, H-Series, P-Series cobots with 5-30kg payloads), DENSO Robotics (SCARA, 5/6-axis articulated, cobots, gantry), Comau (Rebel-S6 SCARA and Pal series up to 260kg), and Autonox24 (Delta, SCARA, DuoPod systems with controller-independent approach).
• APC UPS Products from Schneider Electric Value-added distribution of APC branded Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and battery backup solutions from Schneider Electric, including EcoStruxure Micro Data Centre, Easy 3-phase UPS, and APC Smart-UPS, providing industrial power protection and edge computing infrastructure.
• Industrial Automation Product Catalog Comprehensive catalog spanning drives, I/O systems, programmable controllers, sensors, motion control, pneumatics, safety products, enclosures, networking/communications, vision systems, ATEX/hazardous area equipment, cable, control gear, lighting, meters, panel accessories, terminals, and wiring accessories from leading manufacturers.
• Mechatronics Solutions Integrated mechatronics solutions combining robotics, vision, pneumatics, control systems, machine safety, networking, and software, standardised on Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 platform for unified programming and control of complex automation systems.
• Robotics Solutions Industrial robotics solutions spanning Delta robots, SCARA robots, 6-axis articulated robots, and integrated vision systems designed to increase manufacturing efficiency, improve product quality, and enhance workplace safety.
• Fiix CMMS Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software for asset management, work order tracking, preventive maintenance scheduling, and maintenance analytics, often delivered as part of technical support contracts.
• Routeco 3D Laser Centre Panel customisation and machining services including laser cutting, marking, and fabrication of full panels using the Perforex laser centre, supporting panel builders and OEM machine builders with customised enclosure and control panel solutions.
• eBusiness Solutions B2B e-commerce and procurement automation services that integrate with customer business systems to streamline ordering, invoicing, and delivery processes, including the shop.routeco.com online platform with Quick Basket functionality.
• IT/OT Convergence Services Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) strategy implementation, network infrastructure design, and IT-OT integration services enabling Connected Enterprise capabilities, leveraging Routeco's status as Cisco's first Advanced IoT Industry Expert Specialised Partner in the UK.
• Engineering Services Engineering design, implementation, and support services for industrial automation systems, including migration solutions, production optimisation, and OEM solution support.
• Training Services Technical training programs for industrial automation, robotics, and control systems, supporting customer upskilling on Rockwell Automation platforms and related technologies.
• Repairs Services Repair services for industrial automation and control products, supporting installed-base maintenance and minimising customer downtime.
• Asset Management and Technical Support Contracts Asset management services backed by the Fiix CMMS and recurring technical support contracts providing scheduled maintenance, remote monitoring, and ongoing engineering support for customer automation assets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programming time reduced by approximately 50% for customers using Routeco-supplied Rockwell Automation solutions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Schneider ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2024Routeco became a value-added distributor for APC branded Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), products and services from Schneider Electric. The partnership provides customers access to EcoStruxure Micro Data Centre solutions, Easy 3-phase UPS, and APC Smart-UPS for industrial power protection.
• CiscocoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Routeco was appointed as Cisco's first Advanced Internet of Things Industry Expert Specialised Partner in the United Kingdom. The partnership enables Routeco to combine OT experience with Cisco IT networking knowledge for IT-OT convergence projects. Routeco can sell, deploy and support Cisco IoT Industry Expert products and solutions.
• Rockwell AutomationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRouteco is an authorised distributor for Rockwell Automation products in the United Kingdom, Austria and Netherlands. The partnership offers exceptional products, solutions and services for industrial automation systems design, implementation and support. Routeco received Distributor of the Year (North Region) award in 2024.
• SoneparflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSonepar is the parent company of Routeco. As a global group, Sonepar has set ambitious sustainability targets and has invested billions in modernising supply chains and digital platforms.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Farnell / element14: Avnet-owned global distributor of industrial and electronic components with strong UK and European presence. Comparable to Routeco in product breadth (PLCs, semiconductors, connectors, test) and target customer base of industrial engineers and machine builders.
• Distrelec: European industrial automation and electronic component distributor (now part of RS Group) operating across DACH, Nordics, Benelux and Eastern Europe. Closely comparable to Routeco in product range, automation focus, and pan-European customer base.
• Allied Electronics & Automation: North American industrial automation and electronic component distributor (part of RS Group). Directly comparable product portfolio, customer base, and supplier relationships to Routeco, though operating exclusively in the US/Canada.
• AutomationDirect: US-based direct-to-customer industrial automation products vendor (PLCs, drives, HMI, motors). Comparable in industrial automation product focus, though the direct/online-only model differs from Routeco's authorised-distributor + services approach.
• RS Group plc: UK-listed industrial and electronic product distributor operating RS Components, Allied Electronics, OKdo and Distrelec. Directly comparable to Routeco as a multi-brand industrial automation and electronic component distributor serving the same UK and European engineering/OEM customer base.
• Conrad Electronic: European broad-line electronics and industrial products distributor with strong DACH presence. Comparable to Routeco in multi-brand industrial/automation distribution across Europe, including PLCs, sensors, and power products.

Broad incumbents

• WESCO International: Global Fortune 500 electrical, communications, and utility distribution group. Comparable as a large diversified industrial/electrical distributor with automation offerings, but operates at much greater scale and with a broader non-industrial customer mix.
• Rexel: Global electrical and automation distribution group with extensive UK presence through Rexel UK. Comparable to Routeco as a major industrial automation and electrical products distributor, though broader in scope and dominated by electrical contracting rather than industrial automation specialism.

Regional players

• Graybar: Major North American electrical and industrial automation distributor with hundreds of branch locations. Comparable in industrial distribution business model and supplier relationships, but primarily serves US/Canada rather than competing with Routeco in UK/Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/routeco

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Routeco