What Shape Process Automation does

Shape Process Automation (SPA) is a global robotic and process automation system integrator headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and operating as Tech-Con Automation ULC in Burlington, Ontario. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shape Technologies Group, Inc. and was formed in 2018 from the merger of Dynamic Robotic Solutions and Tech-Con Automation; its technology lineage traces back to the first waterjet machine delivered by AB BestMatic in 1972. SPA designs and builds custom integrated manufacturing systems for Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers, aerospace MRO operators, food and consumer-products processors, logistics companies, and general industrial customers, with 500+ employees across 7 facilities in the US, Canada, Sweden, France (Lille and Etain), Germany, and South Korea.

The company's portfolio is organized around four technology platforms: robotic laser cutting (the NEWTON system pairing a 3-axis laser positioner with a 6-axis robotic arm for ±0.05mm accuracy and up to 70% cycle-time reduction), ultra-high-pressure waterjet cutting and surface preparation (Xilix Spectrum for food; Aquarese for aerospace MRO coating removal and ceramic shell/core removal), robotic router cutting, and ultrasonic knife and deflashing. It is an Authorized System Integrator for FANUC America, a Value Provider for ABB, and integrates robots from Yaskawa, Staubli, Kawasaki, and KUKA alongside Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs. Recent standalone product launches include the EP180 XL autonomous palletizer (2025) and a parcel and logistics sortation system (2026) deployed at Purolator. SPA also runs a Customer Solution Center as a proof-of-concept facility and supports a recurring aftermarket business in OEM parts, training, and robot/intensifier rebuild services.

SPA generates revenue primarily through enterprise project-based sales of custom automation cells and standalone products, supported by recurring aftermarket parts, consumables, training, and rebuild services. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with industry-event demand generation (Automate, Pack Expo, IBIE, GDIS) and technical validation via the Customer Solution Center. The company has executed acquisitions to extend its technology base (Aquarese in 2018 for aerospace waterjet; Evomatic in 2022 for European food and life sciences) and added two new North American manufacturing facilities in 2024, signalling continued investment in capacity and vertical expansion.

Name

Shape Process Automation

Legal name

Tech-Con Automation ULC dba Shape Process Automation

Website

https://shapeprocessautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Shape Process Automation is a global robotic system integrator that designs custom automated manufacturing cells — laser, waterjet, router, and ultrasonic cutting — for Tier 1/2 automotive, aerospace MRO, food processing, logistics, and general industrial customers across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Robotic Automation Systems

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

Keywords

• Robotic process automation
• Industrial automation systems
• Robotic laser cutting
• Waterjet cutting solutions
• Automated packaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Auburn Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Core offering

Shape Process Automation designs, engineers, manufactures, and integrates custom industrial robotic automation systems for material processing. The portfolio spans robotic laser cutting (NEWTON), ultra-high-pressure waterjet cutting (Xilix Spectrum, Aquarese), robotic router cutting, ultrasonic knife trimming and deflashing, automated packaging and palletizing systems (EP180 XL), and material handling solutions. The company also offers complementary services through its Customer Solution Center for proof-of-concept validation, proprietary cutting software, operator training, and OEM parts supply.

Product overview

Shape Process Automation is a global high-tech engineering and process automation provider offering integrated manufacturing strategies and industrial automation solutions. The portfolio is organized around several core technology platforms: robotic automation systems (robotic integrations, material handling, packaging/palletizing), precision cutting technologies (NEWTON laser cutting, waterjet cutting via Xilix Spectrum and Aquarese systems, router cutting, ultrasonic knife/deflashing), and comprehensive service offerings (Customer Solution Center for proof-of-concept, software/programming, training, OEM parts). The company also offers industry-specific solutions for automotive, aerospace, consumer products/logistics, and general industry. Recent product launches include the EP180 XL autonomous palletizer and expanded logistics automation for parcel sortation. The company operates as part of Shape Technologies Group with global facilities in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aquarese: Specialized brand for ultra-high-pressure waterjet processes, ceramic shell and core removal systems, and coating removal for aerospace MRO applications.
• Xilix Spectrum
• NEWTON
• TriWing

Products and services

• NEWTON Laser Cutting Technology Breakthrough robotic laser cutting technology combining a 3-axis laser positioner with a 6-axis robotic arm. Provides fine motion path accuracy of ±0.05mm and achieves up to 70% cycle-time reduction versus typical 6-axis articulated cutting robots. Material-agnostic for metals, plastics, and composites, designed for Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and general industry.
• Xilix Spectrum Waterjet Cutting System Waterjet cutting machine for food processing and industrial applications. Delivers cutting speeds of approximately 750 inches per minute, handles products up to 5 inches thick, and features NSF Certified sanitary design suitable for food/bakery production environments.
• EP180 XL Palletizer Fully autonomous palletizer with high precision and speed for automated packaging and palletizing operations across industrial manufacturing environments.
• Parcel and Logistics Automation System Fully autonomous smart material handling system designed to load, unload, and sort parcels for logistics applications, handling up to 2,100 items per hour for operators such as Purolator and similar parcel/logistics customers.
• Aquarese Ceramic Shell and Core Removal System UHP waterjet-based system for removing ceramic shell and core from investment, lost wax, or plaster castings across aluminum, steel, titanium, and superalloys. Used in aerospace and industrial casting applications.
• Customer Solution Center (CSC) State-of-the-art proving facility with production equipment, advanced R&D solutions, and support engineers for prototyping, cut quality validation, dimensional tolerance testing, cycle time optimization, and pre-production volume runs. Used as a proof-of-concept facility where prospects can validate parts, processes, and R&D before committing to partnership.
• Software & Programming Services Proprietary intuitive software suite with 30+ years of cutting software enhancements and specialty algorithms, including High Speed Path Accuracy, Confine Space Sharing with Multiple Robots, Macro Embedded Trimming Application Software, and Offline Programming capabilities for SPA automation systems.
• Training Services Personalized application training at advanced training centers including the Auburn Hills, Michigan facility. Covers robot operation, programming, and maintenance of SPA automation systems for customer operators and technicians.
• OEM Parts Supply Original equipment manufacturer parts supply including consumables, spare parts, robot and intensifier rebuild services. Same-day shipping with nearly half delivered via next-day air for installed SPA automation systems.

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JR Automation (Hitachi): Large US-based robotic systems integrator serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers with custom automation solutions. Owned by Hitachi, providing direct comparable in scope, customer base, and integration-centric business model.
• ATS Corporation: Canadian-based global automation systems integrator offering custom automated manufacturing solutions across multiple industries. Closest publicly-traded comparable to SPA in business model, geographic footprint, and custom integration focus.
• Genesis Systems Group: US robotic systems integrator specializing in welding, cutting, and material handling automation. Owned by IPG Photonics. Directly comparable in custom robotic integration for industrial customers.
• Midwest Engineered Systems: US-based custom automated manufacturing systems integrator serving aerospace, automotive, and heavy industry. Comparable to SPA in custom integration focus and mid-market scale.

Emerging players

• Symbotic: AI-enabled warehouse automation and robotics company. A more specialized emerging player competing with SPA's parcel and logistics automation product line, particularly for large enterprise customers.

Broad incumbents

• Dematic: Global supplier of integrated automated logistics, warehousing, and supply chain solutions. Comparable to SPA's parcel sortation and logistics automation offerings but at much larger scale and broader scope.
• KUKA Systems: Systems division of KUKA AG, a major robot OEM, offering custom automation solutions globally. A broader incumbent that both supplies robots to and competes with independent integrators like SPA.
• ABB Robotics: Global robot OEM and automation solutions provider. SPA is an ABB Value Provider and integrator; ABB itself competes with SPA for end-customer automation contracts, making it both a partner and a competitor.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Material handling automation and robotics provider owned by Honeywell. Competes with SPA in parcel sortation, palletizing, and warehouse automation end markets.

Regional players

• Hahn Automation: German-based automation systems integrator serving European automotive and industrial customers. Comparable to SPA's European operations (Karlshamn/Lidköping, Lille, Haßlock) with similar custom integration profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KMTRobotics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shape-process-automation
• Xx.com/shapeprocess

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Shape Process Automation