The Knotts Company Inc

What The Knotts Company Inc does

The Knotts Company Inc, founded in 1952 by Ken Knotts and headquartered in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, is a privately held, family-owned value-add distributor of industrial automation, motion control, pneumatics, robotics, conveyors, and machine vision products. The company operates as an authorized regional representative for over 50 industry-leading manufacturers, including Universal Robots, Dorner, Robotiq, SCHUNK, IMI Norgren, IMI Bimba, Piab, WAGO, Asyril, and SensoPart, spanning categories from collaborative robots and autonomous mobile vehicles to flexible feeding systems, valve manifolds, sensors, PLCs, HMIs, and aluminum extrusion framing. Customer relationships are built around product specialists trained directly at manufacturer facilities who provide application engineering, product selection, and integration support rather than direct technology development.

The company's business model is product distribution with value-added services. Primary revenue is generated through resale of partner products with markup, supplemented by professional services including 80/20 T-slot extrusion assemblies, pneumatic control assemblies, and palletizing solution design/build (e.g., a Robotiq PE20 + UR20 cobot deployment). Pricing is custom quote-based with Net 30 terms (1.5% monthly service charge on balances over 60 days); the go-to-market combines a regional field sales force, inside sales, a self-service e-commerce storefront at imi.knottsco.com, and extensive content marketing (blog, webinars, podcasts, whitepapers, case studies, payback calculator). Marketing channels emphasize technical expertise and educational content to drive quote requests and demo requests.

Knotts serves manufacturing companies, industrial OEMs, and system integrators across New Jersey (all 21 counties), New York City and Long Island, and 25 Eastern Pennsylvania counties, addressing verticals including food & beverage, metal working, pharmaceutical, electronics, logistics, plastics, nutraceuticals, and education. The company employs 11-50 people, has remained independent and organically grown across its 70+ year history with no identified external investment, M&A activity, or parent company, and is positioned as a regional automation specialist rather than a national or global player.

Name

The Knotts Company Inc

Legal name

The Knotts Company, Inc

Website

https://knottsco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Knotts Company Inc is a family-owned, value-add industrial distributor founded in 1952, representing 50+ automation manufacturers (Universal Robots, Dorner, SCHUNK, IMI Norgren, etc.) and serving manufacturers across New Jersey, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania with product selection, assembly, and integration services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Distribution

NAICS

Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4234)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Seals, Gaskets & Fluid Connectors (O-rings, packings, rotary seals, quick couplers) (IMAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial automation distribution
• Pneumatic motion control
• Collaborative robotics solutions
• Industrial conveyor systems
• Machine vision automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution: The Knotts Company generates revenue primarily through the distribution and resale of industrial automation, pneumatics, robotics, and motion control products from manufacturer partners including Dorner, Universal Robots, Robotiq, IMI Norgren, IMI Bimba, SCHUNK, and 40+ other brands. Revenue is generated through product markups and potentially volume-based arrangements.
2. Services and Integration: The company provides value-add services including 80/20 assemblies, pneumatic assemblies, and palletizing solutions. These services complement product sales and provide additional revenue streams through custom integration and machine building.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Knotts Company is a value-add distributor that resells industrial automation and motion control products from more than 50 manufacturer partners, including pneumatics, conveyors, collaborative robots, machine vision, and end-of-arm tooling. The company provides application engineering, product selection assistance, and integration services such as 80/20 extrusion assemblies, pneumatic control assemblies, and palletizing solutions to manufacturing customers across New Jersey, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Product overview

The Knotts Company Inc is an industrial distributor and solution provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of automation, motion control, and robotics products from multiple manufacturer partners. The company provides both product categories (pneumatics, aluminum extrusion, electric actuators, conveyors, automation components, robotics, drives & motion control, machine safety, machine vision, and pumps & compressors) and individual named products. The product lineup includes Universal Robots collaborative robot arms (UR3e through UR30), Dorner conveyor systems, Asyril flexible feeding systems with EYE+ control, Robotiq palletizing and gripper solutions, SCHUNK grippers and tool changers, SensoPart vision sensors, Piab vacuum grippers, Wago controllers and HMIs, IMI Norgren/Bimba pneumatics, and various other automation components. The company also offers solution services including 80/20 assembly, palletizing solutions, and pneumatic control assemblies. As a distributor, The Knotts Company does not manufacture the products it sells but provides application expertise, product selection support, and integration services to manufacturing customers in New Jersey, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Universal Robots Collaborative Robot Arms
• Dorner Conveyor Systems
• Asyril Flexible Feeding Systems
• Robotiq Palletizing Solutions
• SCHUNK Grippers and Tool Changers
• Piab Vacuum Grippers and Palletizing Tools
• SensoPart Machine Vision and Sensors
• IMI Norgren Pneumatic Components
• IMI Bimba Pneumatic Cylinders
• 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion Framing
• Wago Automation Controllers and HMIs
• Unitronics All-in-One PLC/HMI
• Cambrian Machine Vision
• Global AGV L12 Autonomous Mobile Robot
• Wheel.me Genius 2 Autonomous Wheels
• Yamaha YK-XG SCARA Robot
• Leuze ROD 300/500 Laser Scanners
• WERMA Signal Towers and Beacons
• Versa Products XC8 Solenoid Valve
• Urban.io Industrial IoT Platform
• 80/20 Extrusion Assemblies Service
• Palletizing Solutions Service
• Pneumatic Controls Assemblies Service

Quantifiable outcome

• The Robotiq palletizing solution implemented for Raumland GmbH processes over 5 million bottles annually with continuous automated palletizing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

46 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Universal RobotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Partnership established in 2017 to represent Universal Robots' innovative collaborative robot arms in NJ and Metro NY. The partnership expanded The Knotts Company's robotics offerings to include collaborative automation solutions.
• Dorner ManufacturingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Partnership established in 2008 to represent Dorner's Conveyor products in NJ and Metro NY. Dorner is a leading manufacturer of industrial conveyors including the 2200, 2700, 3200 series and AquaGard sanitary conveyors.
• 80/20 InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1992Partnership established in 1992 to represent 80/20's T-slot Aluminum Extrusion products in NJ and Metro NY. 80/20 provides modular framing systems for automation, workstations, and custom enclosures.
• Bimba (now IMI Bimba)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1968The Knotts Company partnered with Bimba in 1968 to represent their Pneumatic Cylinder products in NJ and Metro NY. Bimba is now part of IMI plc and continues as a key manufacturer partner.
• C. A. Norgren Co (now IMI Norgren)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1953The Knotts Company partnered with C. A. Norgren Co in 1953 to represent their Air Preparation products in NJ and Metro NY. This represents the company's first major manufacturer partnership and has continued for over 70 years as a core product line.
• RobotiqcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRobotiq specializes in adaptive grippers, force torque sensors, and application kits for collaborative robots. The partnership enables The Knotts Company to offer complete cobot solutions including palletizing, machine tending, and other applications.
• SCHUNKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCHUNK is a global leader in clamping technology and gripping systems offering over 11,000 standard components including toolholders, workholding equipment, and automation components. Founded in 1945, operates in more than 50 countries.
• WAGOmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWAGO USA specializes in electrical interconnection, interface electronics, and automation technology. Products include PCB terminal blocks, connectors, relays, interface modules, controllers, and HMIs for various industries.
• AsyrilmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAsyril develops and produces in Switzerland high-performance flexible feeding systems for parts and components. Their patented 3-axis vibration technology and smart control system EYE+ can be integrated into automation machines.
• PiabmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPiab provides vacuum pumps and gripping solutions for robotics and automation including the piCOBOT electric vacuum pump unit and Cobot Palletizing Tool (CPT).
• SensoPartmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSensoPart is a leading manufacturer of optical sensors and image processing solutions for factory automation including vision sensors, distance sensors, and photoelectric sensors.
• LeuzemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeuze is a global leader in sensor solutions for industrial automation with over 60 years of experience. Products include switching and measuring sensors, identification systems, and data transmission solutions.
• OnRobotmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnRobot provides hardware and software solutions for collaborative applications including end-of-arm tooling designed for easy integration across major robot brands.
• INSPEKTOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorINSPEKTO offers AI-driven visual inspection systems that automate quality control. Part of Siemens ecosystem, scalable solution for manufacturing quality assurance.
• Pick-it 3DminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPick-it 3D specializes in 3D vision systems for bin picking, pallet unloading, machine loading, and assembly. Founded in 2016, compatible with Universal Robots, ABB, KUKA, FANUC, and other industrial robots.
• Delta ElectronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelta provides industrial automation solutions including AC motor drives, servo systems, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial robots.
• UnitronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnitronics designs and manufactures control and automation solutions including PLCs with integrated HMIs, VFDs, AC servo drives and motors, and I/O modules.
• Trio Motion TechnologyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrio specializes in high-performance motion control solutions with Motion Coordinators that manage up to 128 axes. Part of Estun Group since 2017.
• Yamaha RoboticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYamaha Robotics offers industrial robots including linear, SCARA, Cartesian, single axis, and pick & place robots.
• Elmo-Rietschle (Gardner Denver)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElmo Rietschle manufactures industrial vacuum pumps and compressed air technologies including regenerative blowers, rotary vane pumps, claw pumps, and liquid ring pumps.
• Thomas PumpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThomas Pumps manufactures compressors and pumps for liquids and gases serving OEMs in medical, laboratory, environmental, and industrial sectors.
• Fuji ElectricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFuji Electric Corp. of America provides blowers, fans, and pumps for industrial applications including wastewater treatment, aquaculture, food processing, and pneumatic conveying.
• micropsi industriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributormicropsi industries provides AI-powered software solutions for industrial robots. Their MIRAI software enables robots to adapt to variances in production environments without CAD data or controlled lighting.
• ROEQminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorROEQ develops robotic equipment and software for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) including carts, lifters, top rollers, and docking stations for logistics and manufacturing automation.
• Global AGVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal AGV provides autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for material handling automation in manufacturing and logistics environments.
• Wheel.meminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWheel.me specializes in autonomous wheels for material handling automation, enabling any standard cart or platform to become a mobile robot.
• Made4CNCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMade4CNC specializes in automating CNC machine tending with the Safedoor SD100, a UR+ certified system for safe and efficient robotized CNC machine tending.
• AIM RoboticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAIM Robotics develops plug-and-play dispensing tools for collaborative robots including airbox pressure controllers, syringe dispensers, and tool center point calibration systems.
• Urban.iominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUrban.io provides Industrial IoT solutions for remote data monitoring in manufacturing environments.
• FlexiBowlminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlexiBowl provides flexible feeding systems that accommodate parts from 1 to 250mm in size regardless of geometry, surface, or material for quick product changeovers.
• Versa Products CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVersa Products Company manufactures high-quality pneumatic and hydraulic control valves including solenoid, pilot, manual, and mechanical actuated directional control valves.
• WermaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWerma provides innovative signal solutions including signal towers, beacons, horns, and process optimization systems for industrial environments.
• German BionicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Bionics provides robotic exoskeleton and wearable automation solutions for industrial applications.
• Cambrian RoboticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCambrian Robotics provides AI-powered 3D vision systems for robotic applications.
• SwivellinkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwivellink designs and manufactures innovative mounting solutions and automation products including mounts for cameras, sensors, lights, end-of-arm tooling, and modular guarding systems.
• AllenairminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllenair Corporation, established in 1945, specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality pneumatic and hydraulic components including cylinders, valves, fittings, and rotary tables.
• ANVERminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorANVER Corporation, established in 1968, is a leading manufacturer of vacuum material handling equipment including suction cups, vacuum pumps, and lifting systems.
• Compact Automation ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompact Automation Products, established in 1974, manufactures space-efficient linear actuator solutions with over 16 patents and more than 50,000 custom designs.
• Deltrol Fluid ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeltrol Fluid Products, established in 1963 and headquartered in Bellwood, Illinois, specializes in designing and manufacturing fluid power components including cartridge valves and custom manifold systems.
• Humphrey ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHumphrey Products, established in 1901 and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, specializes in pneumatic and fluid control valves, systems, and customized products serving medical, analytical, factory automation, and process control industries.
• Koganei International AmericaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKoganei International America, established in 2011 and headquartered in Fremont, California, provides advanced automation solutions including pneumatic and electric actuators, valves, sensors, and vacuum equipment.
• NycoilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNycoil is a leading manufacturer of flexible metal hose assemblies, braided hose, and braid products serving aerospace, automotive, and chemical processing industries.
• Peter Paul ElectronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeter Paul Electronics Co., Inc., established in 1947, manufactures high-quality solenoid valves including 2-way and 3-way models, explosion-proof, high-pressure, and miniature valves.
• PISCO USAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPISCO USA, Inc., established in 1993, is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic equipment specializing in tube fittings, valves, actuators, and vacuum systems for automation, robotics, and manufacturing.
• Proportion-AirminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProportion-Air, established in 1985, manufactures electronic air pressure regulators and air flow control valves for precision, repeatability, and adaptability in aerospace, automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.
• IMI BahrminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIMI Bahr, established in 1990, specializes in developing and manufacturing high-quality linear axes including belt drive, spindle drive, rack and pinion drive, and linear motor drive systems for industrial automation applications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• AutomationDirect: Direct-to-customer e-commerce distributor of PLCs, pneumatics, drives, sensors, and motion control. Competes for similar customers with a catalog-driven, lower-touch model that pressures transactional pricing.

Broad incumbents

• Motion Industries: North America's largest industrial parts distributor with broad automation, fluid power, and conveyor coverage. National scale that regional distributors like The Knotts Company benchmark against.
• WESCO International: Large-scale distributor of electrical, communications, and utility products with an emerging industrial automation portfolio via the IGIG and other acquisitions. Competes at the broader industrial customer level.
• Parker Hannifin: Diversified motion and control technologies manufacturer with a large direct industrial distribution network. Competes in many of the same product categories (pneumatics, valves, sensors) through its own channel.
• McMaster-Carr: Iconic broad-line industrial supply distributor with a deep pneumatic, motion, and conveyor SKU catalog. Same broad customer base but a catalog/e-commerce model rather than specialist engineering.
• Festo USA: Global pneumatics and automation manufacturer that also operates direct distribution and authorized channels. Overlaps heavily with The Knotts Company's IMI Norgren/Bimba and pneumatic-assembly lines.

Direct peers

• Applied Industrial Technologies: Large U.S. industrial distributor with a strong motion control, fluid power, and automation product portfolio serving broad geographies. Highly comparable business model: technical distribution with value-add services targeting manufacturing customers.
• Cross Company: Value-add distributor and integrator of automation, motion control, and machine vision products serving manufacturers in the U.S. Southeast. Mirrors The Knotts Company's specialist-application-engineering model.
• Kaman Industrial Technologies (now Motion Industries): Long-standing regional industrial automation and fluid power distributor, integrated with Motion Industries. Operates a similar authorized-distributor model with pneumatics, motion control, and engineered solutions.

Regional players

• BIS Inc / HTE (Hydraulic, Pneumatic & Equipment): Specialized hydraulic and pneumatic distributor serving the U.S. Midwest with similar product mixes (cylinders, valves, automation components). Comparable regional value-add distributor profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KnottsCompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/knottsco

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 The Knotts Company Inc