Hartfiel Automation Inc

Name

Hartfiel Automation Inc

Legal name

Hartfiel Automation

Website

https://hartfiel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 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), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Industrial automation distribution
• Pneumatic components supply
• Robotics and motion control
• Factory automation supplies
• Value-added automation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Distribution of Industrial Automation Components: Revenue is generated through the distribution and resale of industrial automation components including pneumatics, motion control, robotics, sensors, hydraulic, and machine control products from multiple manufacturer partners. The company also generates revenue through value-added services including partial or complete assembly of components into sub-assemblies, engineering support, design services, and manufacturing solutions/panel shop services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hartfiel Automation is a value-added industrial automation distributor that sells components from over 30 manufacturer brands across pneumatics, motion control, robotics, sensors and safety, machine control, industrial networking, mobile controls, hydraulics, industrial vacuum, vision, conveyors, and aluminum extrusion categories. In addition to product distribution, the company provides engineering support, design services, panel shop sub-assembly, and a proprietary Customer Profit Reinforcement (CPR) process for identifying savings opportunities. Customers are served through a branch office network across 21 U.S. states plus an e-commerce web store.

Product overview

Hartfiel Automation Inc is an industrial automation product distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of automation components across 14 major product categories. The company distributes products from over 30 manufacturer brands including ABB Robotics, MAC Valves, IMI Bimba, B&R Industrial Automation, Banner Engineering, SICK, Yamaha Robotics, Omron, and many others. Their product offering includes: Pneumatics (valves, cylinders, actuators, air preparation, grippers, fittings), Motion Control (controllers, motors, drives, actuators, gear reducers), Machine Control (PLCs, I/O, HMIs, electrical cabinet components), Sensors & Safety (industrial sensors, safety systems, vision, barcode), Robotics (Cartesian, SCARA, Delta, collaborative, six-axis, AMRs, end of arm tooling), Industrial Networking (Ethernet, media converters, wireless, serial), Mobile Controls (controllers, displays, keypads, radio remotes for vehicles), Cables & Cordsets, Hydraulics (actuators, valves, flow instrumentation), Industrial Vacuum, Industrial Vision, Conveyors, and Aluminum Extrusion/Enclosures. The company also provides value-added services including manufacturing/p panel shop assembly, engineering support, Customer Profit Reinforcement (CPR) analysis, and design services including on-site 80/20 training. Hartfiel serves customers across multiple industries including agriculture, food & beverage, medical, mobile equipment, oil & gas, packaging, and specialty machine manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fiero Automation: Partner company providing automation and engineering support alongside Hartfiel Automation.

Products and services

• Pneumatics Complete pneumatic component portfolio distributed from manufacturer brands including valves, pneumatic controls, cylinders, actuators, slides, air preparation equipment, grippers, clamps, fittings, and accessories for industrial automation customers.
• Motion Control Motion control solutions including linear motors, actuators, slides, gear reducers, motion controllers, motors, drives, and accessories distributed from leading manufacturers for industrial automation customers.
• Robotics Industrial robots including Cartesian, SCARA, Delta, collaborative robots (cobots), six-axis articulated robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMR), end of arm tooling, and robot accessories from ABB Robotics, Yamaha, Comau, MiR, and other manufacturers for industrial automation customers.
• Sensors & Safety Industrial sensors and safety equipment including proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, safety light curtains, area scanners, safety controllers, and vision systems from manufacturers such as SICK, Banner, Balluff, Turck, and Omron.
• Machine Control Industrial machine control systems including PLCs, I/O modules, electrical cabinet components, and HMI panels from B&R, Advantech, Beijer, IDEC, Omron, Panasonic, Turck, and WAGO for industrial automation customers.
• Industrial Networking Industrial network hardware including Ethernet switches, media converters, wireless solutions, and serial communication devices from Antaira, Turck, WAGO, and Banner for industrial automation customers.
• Mobile Controls Electronic control systems for on/off-road mobile equipment including controllers, displays, keypads, radio remotes, and wire harnesses from B&R, COBO, HED, Turck, WIKA Mobile Control, Eaton, Magnetek, Scanreco, and other manufacturers.
• Cables & Cordsets Industrial cables and cordsets including sensor cables and interconnection devices from SICK and Canfield Connector for factory, food/beverage, chemical, and cleanroom applications.
• Hydraulics Hydraulic products including actuators, valves, switches, and transponders from PHD, Hanna, Lehigh Fluid Power, Milwaukee Cylinder, Moog Flo-Tork, STARCYL, TRD Bimba, Nachi, Tiefenbach, AW-Lake, and Gems Sensors.
• Industrial Vacuum Industrial vacuum systems including pumps (R-5 oil-lubricated rotary vane), blowers (Mink dry claw), Venturi systems (Cobra dry screw), and accessories from Piab and Suburban Manufacturing.
• Industrial Vision Industrial vision systems including cameras and accessories from SICK (2D/3D), Banner, Balluff, Smart Vision Lights (LED lighting), Teledyne DALSA, and Zebra for automated inspection and measurement.
• Conveyors Conveyor systems including QC Conveyors (Flextrac modular plastic chain, Automation Series aluminum frame, Sanitary Series stainless steel, Industrial Series steel frame) and Dorner (belt, modular belt, flexible chain).
• Aluminum Extrusion/Enclosures T-slot aluminum profiles, enclosures, and machine guarding from 80/20 Inc. (modular framing system), Swivellink Stronguard (safety fencing), Fibox, Saginaw Control & Engineering, and Vynckier nVent HOFFMAN.
• Manufacturing Solutions/Panel Shop Value-added assembly service where Hartfiel partially or completely assembles components from customer-approved materials into sub-assemblies that are tested and ready to install.
• Engineering Services Engineering support and design services partnering with customers for equipment design and manufacturing success.
• Customer Profit Reinforcement (CPR) Trademarked process to uncover and document savings and profit opportunities by comparing customers' existing situations to Hartfiel's proposed automation solutions.
• Design Services Design assistance including an 80/20 demo van with hands-on applications training for aluminum extrusion projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Payback period of less than a year for autonomous mobile robots (referencing MiR robots)

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• 80/20 Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes 80/20's T-slot aluminum profile building system (The Industrial Erector Set), offering modular framing solutions for machine frames, workstations, material handling racks, and custom applications. Includes design assistance and demo van service for training.
• ABB RoboticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes ABB Robotics products including SCARA robots, Delta robots, collaborative robots, six-axis articulated robots, and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for material handling, machine tending, welding, assembly, and packaging applications.
• B&R Industrial AutomationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes B&R's automation portfolio including motion controllers, motors, drives, industrial PCs, I/O systems, HMIs, and complete automation solutions. Products feature interoperability allowing devices to be swapped at any time.
• Banner Engineering CorpcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Banner's sensor and safety products including photoelectrics, laser distance measurement, ultrasonics, fiber optics, machine vision systems, safety products, barcode readers, and industrial wireless solutions.
• CamozzicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Camozzi's pneumatic components including valves, cylinders, fittings, air preparation equipment (FRLs), and pneumatic controls for industrial automation applications.
• IMI BimbacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes IMI Bimba's linear actuators, pneumatic cylinders, air preparation products, grippers, fittings, and accessories. Bimba is known for Made in USA quality and extensive product customization options.
• MAC ValvescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes MAC Valves' pneumatic and liquid valves known for proprietary balanced design, wear compensation, and high shifting forces to manage contamination. One of the largest air and liquid valve offerings in the industry.
• Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes MiR's collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMR) used by manufacturers in various industries and healthcare sectors for in-house transportation automation. Payback period often less than a year.
• PHD, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes PHD's automation components including pneumatic and electric cylinders, grippers (up to 1600+ pounds grip force), linear slides, clamps, escapements, tri-axis tooling, rotary actuators, and accessories. Known for durability and customization capabilities.
• piabcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes piab's vacuum components including pumps, blowers, vacuum grippers, piCOBOT ejector units, and automated process components for gripping, lifting, and moving applications.
• SICKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes SICK's sensor intelligence products including proximity sensors, industrial vision cameras (2D and 3D), safety systems, barcode/RFID readers, and area scanners for factory automation, logistics automation, and process automation.
• TurckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Turck's products including over 5,000 proximity sensors (inductive, capacitive, magnetic, ultrasonic), flow sensors, linear/rotary position sensors, I/O systems, industrial Ethernet, HMIs, and RFID systems.
• Yamaha RoboticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Yamaha's robotics products including Cartesian robots, SCARA robots (120mm-1200mm arm lengths, 1/2KG-50KG payloads), motion controllers, motors, drives, and the YHX Universal Controller for cooperative motion control.
• KollmorgensupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Kollmorgen's motion control products including permanent magnet motors (frameless pancake to high acceleration housed motors), servo drives, linear actuators, precision tables, and rodless actuators.
• OmronsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Omron's automation products including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motion controls, servo motors, industrial PCs, sensors, safety systems, machine vision, barcode readers, and HMIs.
• WAGOsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes WAGO's electrical connectivity products including spring pressure termination technology (CAGE CLAMP), interconnect solutions, interface modules, PLCs, HMIs, industrial Ethernet switches, and automation solutions.
• WEGsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes WEG's power solutions including electric motors, variable frequency drives, soft starters, controls, panels, transformers, generators, and complete automation solutions for industrial applications.
• Antaira TechnologiessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Antaira's industrial networking products including industrial Ethernet switches, wireless devices (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n), media converters, and serial communication devices designed for extreme environments.
• ComausupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHartfiel distributes Comau's robotics products including collaborative robots (cobots) and six-axis articulated robots designed for working safely alongside human workers in smart factory environments.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Applied Industrial Technologies: Largest U.S. industrial distributor with broad coverage of fluid power, bearings, motion control, and automation components. Direct competitor to Hartfiel across the same manufacturer principals and customer verticals, but at significantly larger scale and national footprint.
• Motion Industries: Industrial MRO and automation distributor (subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company) offering bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial automation. Competes directly with Hartfiel on pneumatics, motion control, and robotics lines across a national U.S. footprint.
• AutomationDirect: Direct/online automation components retailer selling PLCs, drives, motors, sensors, and pneumatics at value pricing. Competes with Hartfiel's webstore and catalog business, particularly for cost-sensitive SMB and individual buyers.
• Festo USA: Global pneumatics and automation manufacturer with U.S. direct distribution plus authorized distributor network. Overlaps with Hartfiel's pneumatics and valve categories, including direct competition on MAC-style valve products.
• Kaman Industrial Technologies: Industrial distribution business (now substantially merged into Applied Industrial) historically focused on automation, bearings, and fluid power. Historical peer offering overlapping product categories and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• WESCO International: Large-cap electrical, communications, and utility distribution business with growing industrial automation exposure. Competes with Hartfiel on broader portfolio deals at enterprise customers and has substantially larger scale and geographic reach.
• Rexel USA: Global electrical distribution group with U.S. automation, lighting, and industrial controls business. Overlaps with Hartfiel's machine control, sensors, and PLC categories as part of a broader electrical portfolio.
• MSC Industrial Direct: U.S. metalworking and MRO industrial distributor with extensive catalog and direct sales force. Competes with Hartfiel for maintenance and indirect materials spend at industrial customers, though with less depth in pure automation components.
• McMaster-Carr: Catalog and online industrial supply retailer known for unmatched SKU breadth and rapid fulfillment. Competes with Hartfiel's webstore on commodity pneumatics, fittings, sensors, and general MRO items at industrial buyers.

Emerging players

• Digi-Key Electronics: Broad-line electronic components distributor expanding into industrial automation, sensors, and motion categories. Competes with Hartfiel on sensors, I/O modules, and electronic components for engineers building automation systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYlVGkoBhx5uroGrWQ4q-Tg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hartfiel-automation
• Xx.com/hartfiel_mation

Compliance1 record

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 Hartfiel Automation Inc