Eckhart & Associates

What Eckhart & Associates does

Eckhart & Associates, now operating as Invio Automation following its August 2022 merger with Innovative Products & Equipment under Arsenal Capital Partners, is an industrial automation integrator headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. The company designs and manufactures specialized ergonomic tools and integrated automation systems that combine robotics, tooling, machine vision, controls engineering, precision dispensing, leak testing, thermal bonding, and AGV-based material handling. Its offerings span 16 core capabilities and are deployed across six verticals: Medical Device & Life Sciences (primary), Renewable Energy, Mobility, Logistics & Fulfillment, Industrial, and Data Centers & Power Management. The combined entity operates 10 facilities, employs 530 team members, and serves 370+ customers globally with what it describes as 80+ years of combined automation experience.

The company's technical platform is built around integrating mechanical, electrical, controls, and software subsystems into production lines tuned to specific products and takt times, with a Digital Factory layer adding connected sensors, analytics, and predictive maintenance. Core proprietary capabilities include leak testing (pressure decay, mass flow, helium detection) for medical devices, thermal bonding for filters and membranes, precision dispensing for adhesives and sealants, and AGV solutions for material movement. The business generates revenue through three streams: hardware sales of automation equipment (one-time with repeat order potential), engineering and integration services (custom design and implementation), and aftermarket services and support (ongoing maintenance, robot repair, spare parts). The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with application engineers engaging customers on technical guidance, business case evaluation, and facility tours, supported by quote-based custom pricing and multi-year contracts — no public pricing tiers or self-serve channels exist. Customer concentration spans regulated medical OEMs to industrial heavy equipment manufacturers, with no individual customer logos publicly disclosed.

Name

Eckhart & Associates

Legal name

Eckhart & Associates

Website

https://eckhartusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Eckhart & Associates, operating as Invio Automation, is a PE-backed industrial automation integrator headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, designing and manufacturing custom robotic systems, tooling, vision, and controls solutions for medical device, renewable energy, mobility, logistics, industrial, and data center manufacturers across 10 facilities and 530 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) & Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) (IMAHABAB), Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Robotic assembly solutions
• Machine vision inspection
• Autonomous guided vehicles
• Manufacturing integration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Systems & Equipment: Sale of automation equipment including AGVs, assembly cells, robotic systems, leak testing equipment, precision dispensing systems, and related tooling. Equipment sales are one-time with potential for repeat orders and expansions.
2. Engineering & Integration Services: Design, implementation, and integration services for automation systems. Includes controls engineering, digital factory implementation, and custom system design.
3. Aftermarket Services & Support: Ongoing support, maintenance, robot repair, spare parts, and sustainment services to keep systems running at optimal performance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Eckhart & Associates, operating as Invio Automation, designs, manufactures, and integrates specialized industrial automation systems combining robotics, tooling, vision systems, controls engineering, and software for large-scale manufacturing operations. The company delivers end-to-end automation solutions including autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), assembly cells, leak testing, precision dispensing, weld tooling, thermal bonding, and digital factory platforms. These solutions are tailored for medical device, renewable energy, mobility, logistics, and industrial manufacturers.

Product overview

Eckhart & Associates, now operating as Invio Automation following the 2022 merger of Eckhart, Inc. with Innovative Products & Equipment (backed by Arsenal Capital Partners), offers an end-to-end automation solutions portfolio. The company provides 16 core automation capabilities spanning Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Assembly Cells & Flexible Feeding, Controls Engineering, Digital Factory, Industrial Filters, Leak Testing, Lift Assists, Machine Vision & Testing, Precision Dispensing, Product Carriers, Robotic Automation, Secure Tools, Smart Meters, Thermal Bonding, Web Handling, and Weld Tooling & Automation. These capabilities are delivered as integrated solutions across six key industry verticals: Medical Device & Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, Mobility, Logistics & Fulfillment, Industrial, and Data Centers & Power Management. Additional support services include Robot Repair & Service and aftermarket services. The company operates 10 facilities with 530 team members serving 370+ customers, leveraging over 80 years of combined automation experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) Autonomous vehicle solutions that move materials safely and efficiently across facilities, boosting throughput, cutting manual handling, and scaling with logistics needs for enterprise manufacturers.
• Assembly Cells & Flexible Feeding Integrated robotics, tooling, and vision systems engineered to match products and takt times with speed, consistency, and scalability for high-volume manufacturers.
• Controls Engineering Mechanical, electrical, controls, and software design fully integrated into production lines to keep machinery precise and reliable for enterprise manufacturing operations.
• Digital Factory Connected robotics, sensors, and analytics platform delivering predictive maintenance, real-time insights, and optimized efficiency for manufacturing operations.
• Leak Testing Lab, bench, and automated leak testing solutions using pressure decay, mass flow, and helium detection for medical device manufacturing applications.
• Machine Vision & Testing High-resolution in-line inspection, measurement, and defect detection imaging systems that deliver consistent product quality for automated manufacturing lines.
• Robotic Automation Robotic automation solutions that enhance accuracy, speed, and flexibility across tasks from assembly to precision handling for manufacturing operations.
• Robot Repair & Service Ongoing support, maintenance, repair, spare parts, and sustainment services designed to keep installed automation systems running at optimal performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Boosts throughput and cuts manual handling with AGV systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Innovative Products & EquipmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2022Innovative Products & Equipment was merged with Eckhart, Inc. as part of the Arsenal Capital Partners investment to combine automation capabilities and create a full-service automation provider for high-growth markets.
• Calvary RoboticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvio Automation acquired Calvary Robotics, expanding robotic automation capabilities and expertise within the company's portfolio of automation solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Concept Systems Inc: Pacific Northwest-based industrial automation integrator delivering robotic systems, machine vision, and controls for aerospace, food, and manufacturing customers. Comparable as a similarly sized regional integrator with custom engineered solutions.
• Bastian Solutions: Material handling and warehouse automation integrator with AGV/AMR, robotics, and controls capabilities serving distribution, manufacturing, and logistics customers. Overlaps directly with Eckhart's AGV and logistics/fulfillment vertical.
• RōBEX: Midwest-based industrial automation integrator providing robotic integration, custom machinery, and controls engineering for manufacturers. Comparable in scale, geography, and end-to-end engineering services model.
• Premier Automation: Mid-market industrial automation integrator delivering custom robotic cells, machine vision, controls, and system integration. Similar profile to Eckhart as a regional integrator targeting medical, automotive, and general industrial customers.
• Motion Controls Robotics: US systems integrator focused on robotic automation, material handling, and palletizing for food, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturers. Similar custom integration model targeting mid-market manufacturers.
• Applied Manufacturing Technologies: Automation systems integrator specializing in robotic integration, controls engineering, and vision systems for industrial and medical device customers. Closely comparable in capability mix and vertical exposure.
• Genesis Systems (IPG Photonics): Robotic systems integrator specializing in assembly, welding, and material handling automation for industrial customers. Comparable as a mid-to-large US automation integrator delivering custom engineered production systems.
• JR Automation (Hitachi): One of the largest US-based automation integrators, offering custom robotic systems, assembly lines, and material handling across automotive, medical, and industrial customers. Closely comparable as a systems integrator with similar end-to-end automation capabilities and vertical breadth.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics: Global industrial automation incumbent offering robots, controllers, and integrated automation solutions across automotive, electronics, logistics, and healthcare. Competes indirectly on large enterprise programs and on the software/digital factory layer.
• FANUC America: Largest US-based industrial robotics and CNC manufacturer, serving a broad base of integrators and end users. Adjacent rather than directly competitive since FANUC sells robots into integrators like Eckhart, but its growing systems integration ambitions make it a structural competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@InvioAutomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/eckhartusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A5 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Eckhart & Associates