WEM Automation
WEM Automation (founded 1955, Wisconsin, Valstone subsidiary) designs, builds, and supports the WEM4000 PLC-based control system and software modules for industrial process automation across Feed & Grain, Asphalt, Pet Food, Aquafeed, Concrete, Aggregate, Fertilizer, and Wood Pelleting, selling custom systems, software, spare parts, and 24/7 field service to mid-market and enterprise customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1955
- HeadquartersNew Berlin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What WEM Automation does
WEM Automation is a privately held industrial process automation company founded in 1955 and headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, operating as a subsidiary of Valstone. The company designs, manufactures, installs, and supports the WEM4000 Control System — a PC/PLC-based platform built on Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) CompactLogix PLCs and Microsoft SQL Server databases — for eight industrial verticals: Feed & Grain, Asphalt, Pet Food, Wood Pelleting, Aggregate, Concrete, Fertilizer, and Aquafeed. The product portfolio spans the core WEM4000 controller, WEM Analytics web dashboards (Feed and Asphalt variants), three tiers of traceability software (TT-1, TT-2, TT-3), WEM Mobile Solutions (WEMView, WEMAlarm, AIC), Control Point Auditor for FSMA/HACCP/cGMP compliance, MES integration modules, and a stocked spare-parts catalog featuring Rockwell, Rice Lake, Dell, Zebra, Symcod, and Hauck components.
The business model combines one-time capital equipment sales (custom-engineered control systems) with recurring revenue from software licenses (WEM Analytics, traceability modules, MES), hardware spare parts, and 24/7 technical support and field service contracts. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts typical. Go-to-market is engineering-led direct sales with dedicated departments for Sales, Technical Support, Parts/Shipping, and Engineering, supplemented by content marketing, an email newsletter, LinkedIn presence, and industry trade shows such as World of Asphalt. The customer base is concentrated in mid-market and enterprise industrial operators, including named logos such as ADM, Maple Leaf, Jennie O, Case Farms, Mountaire Chicken, Fromm Petfood, Aggregate Industries, Geneva Rock, and Barrett — many with multi-decade tenure and multiple system generations installed.
WEM Automation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WEM Automation
- Legal name
- WEM Automation, LLC
- Website
- https://wemautomation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1955
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WEM Automation (founded 1955, Wisconsin, Valstone subsidiary) designs, builds, and supports the WEM4000 PLC-based control system and software modules for industrial process automation across Feed & Grain, Asphalt, Pet Food, Aquafeed, Concrete, Aggregate, Fertilizer, and Wood Pelleting, selling custom systems, software, spare parts, and 24/7 field service to mid-market and enterprise customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WEM Automation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Process Automation Software
- NAICS
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Asset & Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) Platforms (HDAEAEAM)
Keywords
Where WEM Automation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Berlin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WEM Automation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automation Control Systems: Custom-designed process automation and control systems for industrial plants including PLC-based controls, HMI interfaces, and SCADA integration. Systems are sold as capital equipment with installation, configuration, and startup services.
- Software Licenses and Updates: WEM Analytics, MES modules, and traceability software sold with licensing agreements. WEM Analytics single license covers unlimited users per location.
- Spare Parts and Components: Critical spare parts inventory including CompactLogix components, Dell PCs, Rice Lake scale indicators, Zebra scanners, and third-party hardware. Parts are configured to customer systems and sold at competitive prices.
- Technical Support and Field Service: 24/7 technical troubleshooting, telephone and remote access support, on-site startup assistance, calibration services, system optimization, and training. WEM maintains comprehensive service capabilities for domestic and international customers.
- Preventive Maintenance Services: WEM Maintenance Manager software for preventative maintenance scheduling driven by production data and process parameters. Accompanied by ongoing support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quote-based pricing tailored to system requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
WEM Automation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WEM Automation designs, manufactures, installs and supports the WEM4000 Control System, a PC/PLC-based process automation platform built on Allen-Bradley PLCs and Microsoft SQL Server. The platform is delivered as custom-engineered control systems with proprietary software (WEM Analytics, WEM Speak, traceability modules, MES, mobile solutions) for industrial plants in feed & grain, asphalt, pet food, concrete, aggregate, fertilizer, aquafeed and wood pelleting. The company also supplies spare parts, 24/7 technical support, and on-site field service.
Product overview
WEM Automation provides the WEM4000 Control System as its core platform—a PC/PLC-based automation system using Allen-Bradley PLC controls and Microsoft SQL Server databases. The platform serves multiple industries (Feed & Grain, Asphalt, Pet Food, Fertilizer, Concrete, Aggregate, Wood Pelleting, Aquafeed) with industry-specific versions containing tailored process modules. The product portfolio includes WEM Analytics (feed and asphalt variants) for real-time operational dashboards, three tiers of Traceability Software (TT-1 base, TT-2 mid, TT-3 advanced), WEM Mobile Solutions suite (WEMView, WEMAlarm, WEM AIC), Control Point Auditor (CPA) for audit support, MES Integration for manufacturing execution, and a comprehensive line of spare parts including CompactLogix components, Dell compact PCs, Rice Lake indicators, Zebra scanners, Symcod industrial PCs, and rugged tablets. The WEM Badger Control (launched 1984) remains part of the versatile control offering. Process modules span receiving, grinding, batching, pelleting/extrusion, drying, loadout, warehouse, and burner/baghouse controls for asphalt operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WEM4000 Control System PC/PLC-based plant automation platform using Allen-Bradley PLC controls and Microsoft SQL Server database, providing process automation, real-time monitoring, and data management for industrial plants across feed & grain, asphalt, concrete, fertilizer, pet food, aggregate, wood pelleting, and aquafeed industries.
- WEM Analytics - Feed & Grain
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% increase in grinding production with automatic grinding and flaking operations
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use WEM Automation
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
WEM Automation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature8 records
WEM Automation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, core technology partner and core partner.
- Valstoneparent companyWEM Automation is operated as a Valstone company, indicating Valstone is the parent company that owns WEM. The footer states '2025 WEM AUTOMATION • A VALSTONE COMPANY'. Nature of Valstone's business and structure not detailed in available sources.
- Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley)core technology partnerAllen-Bradley PLC controllers from Rockwell Automation are a core hardware component of WEM's control systems. WEM uses CompactLogix components and PLC controls for robust and flexible automation solutions. This is a strategic technology partnership providing the foundational hardware platform.
- Rice Lake Weighing Systemscore partnerRice Lake provides scale indicators including the 880 desktop and 880 panel mount models used in WEM control systems for precise weight measurement and process control. Featured as preferred parts partner with products stocked for WEM systems.
- Dellcore partnerDell provides PC computers and servers for WEM automation systems. The Dell 3280 Compact PC is a featured product offering ultra-small form factor delivering uncompromised performance for industrial automation environments.
- Zebra Technologiescore partnerZebra provides DS3600 series barcode scanners for WEM systems enabling accurate and efficient data capture for ingredient tracking, receiving operations, and inventory management. Featured as preferred parts partner.
- Hauck Manufacturingcore partnerHauck Manufacturing partners with WEM for burner control systems including BCS-3000 and BCS-7000 units. WEM has years of experience with Hauck burners in asphalt manufacturing for peak plant efficiency. Both desktop and 'drop-in' configurations available.
- Hauck Manufacturingcore partnerWEM offers various burner control systems in partnership with Hauck Manufacturing for their high-quality units including StarJet, EcoStar, MegaStar, and NovaStar series burners.
- Microsoftcore technology partnerWEM systems utilize Microsoft SQL Server database as the backbone for production records and data management. The company also uses Microsoft-based HMI software and Windows platforms for control interfaces.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WEM Automation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Emerson: Emerson's DeltaV and Ovation control systems target continuous and batch process plants — directly comparable to WEM4000 — with deep installed bases in food, beverage, and life sciences that overlap with WEM's feed and pet food verticals.
- Honeywell: Honeywell Experion and Forge compete in process automation across adjacent verticals; its installed base in pet food, food and beverage manufacturing overlaps with WEM's WEM4000 deployments.
- Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is WEM's core hardware partner (Allen-Bradley/CompactLogix PLCs) and also a direct competitor via its PlantPAx process automation platform, which competes head-to-head with WEM4000 in feed, grain and process industries globally.
- Siemens: Siemens competes via SIMATIC PCS 7 / PCS neo and its broader Industrial Edge and Digital Industries portfolio, providing an integrated PLC/SCADA/MES offering aimed at the same process manufacturing customers WEM serves.
- ABB: ABB Ability System 800xA and its process automation portfolio serve the same batch and continuous process manufacturers as WEM, including feed/grain, cement (overlapping with concrete/aggregate), and pulp/paper-like process plants.
- Schneider Electric (AVEVA): Schneider Electric is both a partner (Wonderware HMI, used in WEM's asphalt drum control) and a competitor through AVEVA's batch/mes offerings, plant-wide SCADA, and EcoStruxure platform that target the same mid-market industrial customer.
Direct peers
- Command Alkon: Command Alkon provides automation, dispatch, and scale ticketing solutions for ready-mix concrete, aggregate, and asphalt producers — the closest direct competitor to WEM's concrete, aggregate, asphalt, and silo loadout modules.
- Repete Corporation: Repete is a direct peer specializing in automation and process control for feed mills and pet food plants, mirroring WEM's WEM4000 platform with batch control, pelleting automation, and loadout functionality.
- Beta Raven: Beta Raven (a Calian brand) supplies process control systems, batching, and liquid application automation for feed mills and fertilizer plants — overlapping directly with WEM's Feed & Grain and Fertilizer verticals.
- BinMaster: BinMaster delivers level sensing, inventory management, and plant automation for grain, feed, and bulk solids operations — directly comparable to WEM's ingredient receiving, warehouse management, and inventory modules in feed & grain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WEM Automation social profiles
Digital presenceWEM Automation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WEM Automation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
WEM Automation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WEM Automation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WEM Automation
What does WEM Automation do?
WEM Automation designs, manufactures, installs and supports the WEM4000 Control System, a PC/PLC-based process automation platform built on Allen-Bradley PLCs and Microsoft SQL Server. The platform is delivered as custom-engineered control systems with proprietary software (WEM Analytics, WEM Speak, traceability modules, MES, mobile solutions) for industrial plants in feed & grain, asphalt, pet food, concrete, aggregate, fertilizer, aquafeed and wood pelleting. The company also supplies spare parts, 24/7 technical support, and on-site field service.
Is WEM Automation a public or private company?
WEM Automation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was WEM Automation founded?
WEM Automation was founded in 1955. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WEM Automation based?
WEM Automation is headquartered in New Berlin, United States, in the North America region.
How does WEM Automation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Automation Control Systems are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses and Updates, spare Parts and Components, technical Support and Field Service and preventive Maintenance Services.
Who are WEM Automation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Emerson, Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, ABB and Schneider Electric (AVEVA). Direct peers are Command Alkon, Repete Corporation, Beta Raven and BinMaster.
Does WEM Automation have an API?
No public API is recorded for WEM Automation.
What industry is WEM Automation in?
WEM Automation's product category is Industrial Process Automation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAM, Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers), with a secondary code of HDAEAEAM, Asset & Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 3332 and its SIC code is 3823.