What Fast Technologies does

FAST Technologies is a Northern Ireland-headquartered industrial automation systems integrator and part of the privately held Bloc Group, operating from Derry/Londonderry since 1998 with nearly 50 specialist employees. The company designs, builds, and integrates bespoke automation solutions spanning industrial and collaborative robotics (KUKA, Universal Robots), autonomous mobile robots (MiR, Lowpad, KUKA AMRs), end-of-line packaging (SOCO Systems), manufacturing software (VisualFactory MES by NoMuda, Evocon OEE, Makula CMMS, SymphonyAI Unified Namespace), DC power systems for switchgear applications, and proprietary chemical delivery systems under the FAST CHEMTECH brand for semiconductor, clean energy, and life sciences customers. Its technology architecture is a platform-plus-modules model: third-party hardware and software are integrated through in-house custom API, middleware, and data translation layers that bridge legacy equipment into connected factory ecosystems, with the Dreamaker system representing a flagship proprietary offering.

The company serves mid-market and enterprise manufacturers across food and beverage (Arla Foods, Jas Hennessy), aerospace (a global aircraft supplier), window coverings (Bloc Blinds), and global manufacturing brands (DuPont, Unilever, Caterpillar, Seagate). Revenue is generated through project-based custom machine build and integration contracts (hardware sales), software licensing and implementation services (recurring revenue via VisualFactory, Evocon, Makula), and discrete product sales for DC power and chemical delivery systems; pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts. The A2 Hub at Catalyst Innovation Centre functions as a physical demonstration, assessment, and co-development space supporting SME customer acquisition, complemented by the FAST Academy apprenticeship programme delivered with Northwest Regional College.

Geographically FAST operates from Northern Ireland (headquarters), Fort Worth Texas (US sales, post-2024), and Herkenbosch in the Netherlands, with approximately 40% of clients outside the UK and Ireland. The go-to-market blends enterprise field sales (dedicated UK and US Business Development Managers), partner channel distribution of leading automation brands, and event-driven demand generation, including sponsorship of the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference. With a planned £5M+ investment over five years and 20 new jobs, the company is in a measured commercial scale-up phase under newly appointed Managing Director Clive Wilson.

Name

Fast Technologies

Legal name

FAST Technologies

Website

https://fasttechnologies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FAST Technologies is a Northern Ireland-based industrial automation integrator that designs and deploys custom robotics, autonomous mobile robots, manufacturing software, DC power systems, and chemical delivery solutions for enterprise manufacturers across food and beverage, aerospace, semiconductor, and industrial sectors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems

NAICS

All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (333248), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN), Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Motor Drive & Motion Control Electronics Manufacturing Services (VFDs, servo drives, controllers) (IMAGAGAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• Robotics integration
• Collaborative robotics
• Manufacturing software
• Autonomous mobile robots

Headquarters

HQ city

Londonderry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Systems & Integration: FAST designs, develops, and implements bespoke automation solutions including robotics integration, factory automation, packing automation, and end-of-line packaging systems. Revenue is generated through project-based custom machine build and integration contracts. Solutions are tailored to individual manufacturing processes and delivered from evaluation through to installation and maintenance.
2. Manufacturing Software Solutions: FAST resells and implements third-party manufacturing software including VisualFactory MES (NoMuda), Evocon OEE, Makula CMMS, and SymphonyAI. Revenue is generated through software licensing, implementation services, and ongoing support. MES software is delivered via AWS cloud infrastructure.
3. DC Power & Chemical Systems: Sale of DC battery systems, switchgear tripping units, Best Battery Diode systems, and chemical delivery/wet process equipment. These are discrete product lines sold to industrial equipment manufacturers and process industry clients.
4. FAST Academy & Workforce Development: FAST Academy offers apprenticeship programmes in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering up to Level 5, delivered in partnership with Northwest Regional College. This supports talent pipeline while generating limited revenue from training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FAST Technologies designs, integrates, and implements bespoke industrial automation solutions for manufacturers globally. Core offerings include custom packing and factory automation systems, industrial and collaborative robotics (KUKA, Universal Robots), autonomous mobile robots (MiR, Lowpad), end-of-line packaging (SOCO Systems), manufacturing software (VisualFactory MES, Evocon OEE, Makula CMMS, SymphonyAI), and proprietary systems including FAST CHEMTECH chemical delivery platforms, DC power systems, and the Dreamaker advanced manufacturing system.

Product overview

FAST Technologies offers an integrated portfolio of industrial automation, robotics, and manufacturing software solutions designed as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering spans collaborative robotics (KUKA cobots, Universal Robots), industrial robots (KUKA linear units and articulated robots), and autonomous mobile robots (MiR, Lowpad, KUKA AMRs), complemented by end-of-line packaging systems (SOCO Systems), robot tooling (OnRobot), and Bosch Rexroth automation components. The software suite includes VisualFactory MES (NoMuda), Evocon OEE, Makula CMMS, and SymphonyAI industrial AI — which connect via the company's custom API and middleware layer. Proprietary offerings include DC Systems for switchgear power, FAST CHEMTECH for chemical delivery, and the Dreamaker advanced manufacturing system. The A2 Hub provides consultation, assessment and implementation services, while FAST Academy delivers engineering apprenticeships. Products are sourced from international brand partners and integrated into bespoke automation solutions for manufacturing clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A2Hub: Automation Accelerator Hub - provides space for manufacturing businesses to assess digital readiness and test drive innovations
• FAST Academy
• FAST CHEMTECH
• FAST Software
• Dreamaker

Products and services

• Packing Automation Solutions Custom end-of-line packaging automation solutions including conveyors, case sealers, pallet handling, and palletising robots designed to increase productivity, accuracy, and flexibility of packaging lines. Targeted at manufacturing clients in food and beverage, spirits, and other sectors.
• Factory Automation Solutions Custom factory automation integrating robotics, vision-guided vehicles, and transfer systems to optimise production lines, deliver competitive advantage, and achieve operational goals for manufacturing clients.
• Robotics Integration Solutions Custom integration of industrial robots (KUKA KR series, KUKA linear units), collaborative robots (Universal Robots UR3e through UR20, KUKA LBR iisy/LBR iiwa), and autonomous mobile robots (MiR250, MiR600, MiR1350, Lowpad S/M/L, KUKA AMRs) for assembly, palletising, material transport, machine tending, and quality control applications.
• OnRobot Collaborative Tooling Collaborative end-effector tools including RG6 electric gripper, three-finger 3FG15 gripper, VG10 vacuum gripper, soft gripper, OnRobot Screwdriver, sanding kits, and OnRobot Eyes vision system for cobot applications in assembly, quality control, surface finishing, packaging, and machine tending.
• SOCO Systems End-of-Line Packaging Equipment End-of-line packaging and product handling equipment including conveyors, case sealers, pallet handling systems, Robot-in-a-Box gantry palletising robots, and pallet wrappers. Featured in Arla Foods and Jas Hennessy deployments with capabilities to load pallets up to 2m high weighing 1,500kg.
• EasyRobotics Robot Cells

Quantifiable outcome

• £47,200 savings over 1.5-year payback period for Arla Foods palletising automation
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• KUKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationKUKA is a primary robotics partner providing industrial robots (articulated, linear/gantry units), collaborative robot arms (LBR iisy, LBR iiwa, KR series), and autonomous mobile robots (KMR Quantec, KMR iiwa, KMR flexfellow). FAST offers the complete KUKA portfolio including robot systems, production machines, and mobility solutions for palletising, packaging, material transport, and cleanroom applications.
• MiR (Mobile Industrial Robots)coreTechnology or IntegrationMiR provides a range of autonomous mobile robots (MiR250, MiR600, MiR1350) for optimising internal logistics and in-house transportation. FAST integrates MiR AMRs into manufacturing facilities for line feeding, warehouse logistics, work-in-progress movement, and kitting/assembly support. MiR Fleet enables centralised configuration of robot fleets.
• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversal Robots is a key collaborative robotics partner supplying cobot arms (UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e, UR20) for tasks including assembly, quality control, surface finishing, packaging, and machine tending. FAST integrates Universal Robots cobots into production environments for flexible automation.
• SOCO SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationSOCO Systems provides end-of-line packaging and product handling equipment including conveyors, case sealers, pallet handling, Robot-in-a-Box palletising robots, and pallet wrappers. Featured in Arla Foods and Jas Hennessy case studies, SOCO products are integrated by FAST as part of complete packaging automation solutions.
• SymphonyAIkeyTechnology or IntegrationSymphonyAI provides Industrial Unified Namespace (UNS) software that creates a virtual layer enabling real-time communication between machines, sensors, and business software without infrastructure changes. FAST implements SymphonyAI UNS to eliminate data silos and enable connected factory environments for customers.
• Bosch RexrothkeyTechnology or IntegrationBosch Rexroth supplies automation components including motors, gearboxes, drives, automation controls, linear motion technology, assembly technology, and tightening technology (Nexo cordless nutrunner, ErgoSpin). FAST serves as an official Bosch Rexroth partner for delivering factory automation solutions.
• OnRobotkeyTechnology or IntegrationOnRobot provides collaborative tooling including electric grippers (RG6), vacuum grippers (VG10), three-finger grippers (3FG15), soft grippers, sanding kits, screwdrivers (OnRobot Screwdriver), and vision sensors (OnRobot Eyes). FAST integrates OnRobot tools with cobot arms for assembly, quality control, surface finishing, packaging and machine tending applications.
• EasyRoboticssupportingTechnology or IntegrationEasyRobotics provides robot cells including EasyDesk (universal robot workstation), EasyPalletizer, EasyPalletizer Pro, EasyPedestal, EasyWork (mobile robot platform), and ProFeeder for collaborative robot applications in automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical, metalworks, food & beverage, and warehousing sectors.
• LowpadkeyTechnology or IntegrationLowpad provides ultra-low-profile autonomous mobile robots (minimum 13cm height) including Lowpad S, M, and L models for distribution centres, pick carts, moveable racks, and parcel applications. Lowpad Supervisor fleet manager can coordinate 150+ robots. Featured in the Global Aircraft Supplier AMR case study.
• NoMuda (VisualFactory)keyTechnology or IntegrationFAST has partnered with NoMuda to offer VisualFactory, a human-centric Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for complex high-mix production environments. VisualFactory provides digital work instructions, real-time validation, compliance traceability, and ERP/MES integration deployed on AWS cloud infrastructure.
• EvoconsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEvocon provides a visual and user-friendly OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) software that helps manufacturers improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and track downtime. Used by manufacturers in 50+ countries across 25+ industries. FAST resells and implements Evocon as part of its manufacturing software portfolio.
• MakulasupportingTechnology or IntegrationMakula provides a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for tracking work orders, assets, and maintenance activities. Features AI-powered quick access to procedures. FAST resells and implements Makula CMMS as part of its manufacturing software suite.
• Northwest Regional College (NWRC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAST Academy delivers apprenticeship programmes in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering up to Level 5 in partnership with Northwest Regional College (NWRC). This supports FAST's talent pipeline while providing career development opportunities for individuals in the region.
• WSS (Warning Systems)supportingTechnology or IntegrationFAST partnered with WSS to implement dynamic projection systems for the Global Aircraft Supplier AMR project. WSS's visual projection technology dynamically projects warning zones and movement paths onto the factory floor, enhancing safety awareness around AMR operations.
• Bloc GroupcoreOthersFAST Technologies is part of Bloc Group. The parent company's association provides strategic backing and operational context for FAST's automation business.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CKF Systems: UK-based automation systems integrator specialising in robotic palletising, case packing and end-of-line packaging solutions for food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Closely comparable to FAST in scale, customer type (enterprise manufacturers) and end-of-line robotics focus.
• BluePrint Automation: US-headquartered packaging automation integrator designing robotic primary and secondary packaging systems for food, beverage and consumer goods manufacturers. Comparable bespoke robotics integration model and direct overlap with FAST's SOCO/KUKA-based end-of-line packaging offering.
• RM Group: UK-based robotic systems integrator supplying and integrating cobots, industrial robots and automation cells to manufacturing clients. Directly comparable offering (cobot/robot integration with bespoke solutions) and similar UK mid-market customer profile.
• Pacepacker Services: UK packaging automation integrator designing bespoke robotic pick-and-place, case packing and palletising systems for food and industrial manufacturers. Comparable mid-market SI profile, project-based bespoke model, and UK food-and-drink customer concentration.
• Quest Industrial: US robotic packaging systems integrator serving food, dairy and industrial manufacturers with custom palletising and end-of-line cells. Comparable bespoke integrator profile, robotics-led product mix and mid-market enterprise customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Krones AG: German-headquartered global manufacturer of packaging and bottling line systems for beverage, food and pharmaceutical producers. Directly comparable end-of-line packaging and integrated line scope, but operates as a much larger incumbent machinery OEM with global direct sales.
• Multivac: German-headquartered global manufacturer of packaging machinery and integrated processing lines for food, medical and consumer goods. Comparable in end-of-line packaging and integrated line solutions, but operates as a much larger incumbent machinery OEM with a direct sales force.
• Comau: Italian-headquartered industrial automation and robotics company delivering manufacturing systems, robotics integration and digital solutions to automotive, aerospace and industrial customers. Comparable factory automation and integration capability but at significantly larger global scale.
• ABB: Global industrial automation and robotics incumbent supplying industrial robots, PLCs, drives and integrated automation solutions. Overlaps with FAST's robotics, motion control and factory automation offerings but as part of a much broader industrial portfolio serving enterprises directly.
• ATS Automation: Large global automation systems integrator (TSX-listed) delivering custom factory automation, life sciences and food/beverage production lines. Overlaps FAST's bespoke factory automation and process integration capability but operates at materially greater scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Fast Technologies