Master Control Systems
Master Control Systems, founded 1965 and based in Lake Bluff, Illinois, manufactures UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers, industrial battery chargers, and custom control panels. It invented Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller technology in 2003 and sells globally through factory-authorized representatives to building owners, engineers, and government customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersLake Bluff, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Master Control Systems does
Master Control Systems is a privately held, Lake Bluff, Illinois-based industrial manufacturer founded in 1965 that designs and builds UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers, industrial battery chargers, and UL 508A industrial control panels. Its core technology is the Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller, which the company invented and first deployed in 2003 and which dynamically regulates motor speed using variable frequency drive (VFD) architecture to maintain system pressure within 1 psi accuracy, control inrush current to a maximum of 150% (versus 600% for across-the-line starting), and eliminate downstream pressure-reducing valves and water-hammer risk. The product portfolio includes the EC and ECV Enhanced/Variable Speed Controllers (flagship SKUs with a 5-year comprehensive warranty, $5,000 lightning damage guarantee, and 20-30 year expected life), the MC and MCV motor drive controllers, DEC and DMC diesel controllers, MBC6/MBC7/MBC19 battery chargers, a jockey and alarm panel family, and custom VFD/duplex/triplex industrial control panels. The company holds US Patents 5142213 and 6775514 covering its proprietary Leading Phase Monitor technology and was invited by FM to help author the Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller approval standard in 2008.
The company sells exclusively through a global network of factory-authorized representatives covering all 50 US states, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Singapore/Far East, and the Philippines, supplemented by direct engineering consultation from its Lake Bluff headquarters and a content-marketing program built around video tutorials, technical bulletins, and a photo gallery of installed applications. Pricing is quote-based, one-time hardware sale with multi-year warranty commitments and no disclosed recurring revenue component. End customers are building owners, mechanical and fire protection engineers, and pump agents/dealers in commercial real estate, higher education, government, military, and industrial verticals; named reference projects include 340 East Randolph (Chicago), the Orlando Courthouse, Auburn University, Texas A&M (RAST and Harrington Halls), Allstate, Jordan Creek Mall, Phillippi Condominiums, and Moody Air Force Base. The company's BABA certification qualifies its products for federally funded US infrastructure projects, and its quantitative customer-value claims include $250,000 in PRV elimination savings over a 20-year building life, $37,500 in average generator-sizing savings, and a 50% reduction in standby generator requirements for typical 150 hp motor installations.
Master Control Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Master Control Systems
- Legal name
- Master Control Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://mastercontrols.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Master Control Systems, founded 1965 and based in Lake Bluff, Illinois, manufactures UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers, industrial battery chargers, and custom control panels. It invented Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller technology in 2003 and sells globally through factory-authorized representatives to building owners, engineers, and government customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Master Control Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fire Pump Controllers
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motor Control Centers & Motor Protection (Overload Relays, Protection, Monitoring) (IMAGACAI), Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
Keywords
Where Master Control Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lake Bluff
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Master Control Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Fire Pump Controllers: Sale of UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers including EC (Enhanced Controller) series, MC series, DEC, DMC diesel controllers, and variable speed controllers (ECV, MCV). These are one-time hardware sales with options and accessories.
- Industrial Battery Chargers: Sale of UL Listed battery chargers including MBC6 (automatic switching), MBC7 (manual switching), and MBC19 (semi-float compact) models for fire pump and industrial applications.
- Industrial Control Panels: Sale of UL 508A listed industrial control panels including Simplex, Duplex, Triplex motor controllers for Booster, Waste Water, and Storm Water By-Pass Pumps. Custom panels available upon request.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Fire Pump Controllers - EC Series Enhanced Controller |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Fire Pump Controllers - MC Series Motor Drive Controller |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Variable Speed Fire Pump Controllers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Battery Chargers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Master Control Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Master Control Systems designs and manufactures UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers (EC, ECV, MC, MCV, DEC, DMC series), industrial battery chargers (MBC6, MBC7, MBC19), jockey pump controllers, alarm panels, and custom UL 508A industrial control panels. Its signature offering is the Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller, which the company invented in 2003 and which dynamically regulates motor speed to maintain precise system pressure.
Product overview
Master Control Systems is a manufacturer of fire protection and industrial control equipment. The product portfolio centers on fire pump controllers including the ECV Variable Speed (their signature invention from 2003), EC Enhanced Controller, MCV Variable Speed, MC Motor Drive, DEC Diesel Enhanced, and DMC Diesel Controller series. Supporting the controllers are jockey pump controls (PMCVE, PMCE, JPCV, JPCE, PMCV), alarm panels (SRAP, DRAP), and industrial battery chargers (MBC6, MBC7, MBC19). The company also produces industrial control panels in Duplex, Triplex, and VFD configurations. The Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller technology is their key innovation, invented and first deployed in 2003, allowing dynamic motor speed regulation to maintain precise system pressure and eliminate issues like PRVs, water hammer, and overpressure problems. Products are UL Listed and FM Approved where applicable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EC Series: Enhanced Controller series with 5-year warranty, $5,000 lightning guarantee, and expected life of 20-30 years
- MC Series
- MBC Series
- ECV Series
- MCV Series
- PMC Series
Products and services
- EC Series Enhanced Controller Enhanced fire pump controller with 5-year comprehensive warranty, $5,000 lightning guarantee, 2-year labor reimbursement, expected life of 20-30 years. Features waterproof Ethernet connection (Modbus TCP/IP), programmable option chassis, large 5.7-inch color HMI operable with work gloves, conformal coating, NEMA 12 dusttight enclosure, and DR Data Recorder accessible via USB. UL Listed and FM Approved to NFPA 20.
- ECV Variable Speed Controller Variable Speed Controller that dynamically regulates motor speed and system pressure for smooth pressure adjustments due to changing flows or suction pressure variations. Includes soft starting and soft stopping to reduce or avoid startup water surges and shutdown water hammer, with starting current limited to maximum 150% inrush.
- MCV Variable Speed Controller Variable Speed Controller in the MC product family that dynamically regulates motor speed and system pressure for smooth pressure adjustments. Controls starting current to maximum 150% inrush with soft starting and stopping to reduce water surges.
- MC Motor Drive Controller Motor drive fire pump controller for standard starting applications. Lower cost alternative to the EC Series.
- DEC Enhanced Diesel Controller Diesel engine enhanced fire pump controller designed for diesel-driven fire pump applications.
- DMC Diesel Motor Controller Diesel motor controller for fire pump applications.
- PMCV Variable Speed Jockey Pump Controller Variable frequency drive jockey pump controller that starts and stops jockey pumps to smoothly maintain system water pressure in fire pump installations.
- MBC6 Automatic Mode Switching Battery Charger UL Listed automatic mode switching float-equalizing battery charger for fire pump systems and industrial applications.
- MBC7 Manual Mode Switching Battery Charger UL Listed manual mode switching battery charger designed for unattended applications requiring highly regulated float charging.
- MBC19 Semi-Float Compact Battery Charger Economical UL Listed semi-float battery charger positioned as superior to unregulated battery boiler and trickle chargers.
- Industrial Control Panels (Simplex, Duplex, Triplex, VFD) UL Listed Simplex, Duplex, Triplex, and VFD motor controllers designed to automatically start and stop pump-motors for booster, waste water, and storm water by-pass applications. Custom UL 508A listed industrial control panels and custom variable speed panels available on request.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves $250,000 over 20 years by eliminating PRVs in a 15-story building
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Master Control Systems
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Master Control Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature11 records
Master Control Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- G.A. Fleet Associates, Inc.coreFactory-authorized representative for Southeast New York including New York Metropolitan Area. Handles both sales and service. Contacts: Matt Pagano and Derick Paniccia.
- Harvey & AssociatescoreFactory-authorized representative covering South Carolina, Tennessee (East of TN River), Georgia, and North Carolina for fire pump controller sales.
- Industrial Equipment Company of Houston, Inc.coreFactory-authorized representative for Texas (except El Paso and certain counties). Contact: Caleb Brown.
- North East Fire Protection, LLCcoreFactory-authorized representative for Ohio and West Virginia. Contact: Todd Newhart.
- National Service & Control, Inc.coreFactory-authorized representative for Southern California and Clark County, Nevada. Contact: Tim Neubauer.
- Pan-Amp Controls Pte. Ltd.coreFactory-authorized representative for Singapore and Far East. Contact: KC Tan.
- Electro-DesigncoreFactory-authorized representative for Egypt and Middle East. Contact: George William Zaki.
- Global Technologies and Supplies S.A. de C.V.coreFactory-authorized representative for Mexico and Latin America. Contact: Alfredo Coronado.
- RSIScoreFactory-authorized representative for El Paso, Hudspeth, Cullberson, Reeves and Loving Counties (TX), Arizona, and New Mexico. Contact: Randall Strange.
- Coastal Service & SupplycoreFactory-authorized service representative for Northern and Central Florida. Contact: Andy Spetz.
- Fire Safe, Inc.coreFactory-authorized representative for Puerto Rico. Contact: Rafael Villamil, President.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Master Control Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eaton: Diversified industrial control and electrical equipment incumbent offering fire pump controllers within a broader switchgear, motor control, and power distribution portfolio; represents the largest competitive threat from scale, brand, and bundled solutions.
- Xylem: Global water technology company (Bell & Gossett, Flygt, etc.) addressing commercial and institutional water/fire pump applications with pumps, packaged systems, and increasingly integrated controls; comparable as a scaled incumbent moving further into fire pump room electronics.
- Hubbell: Electrical products incumbent (Hubbell Industrial Controls / Systems) with fire pump controller and motor control product lines adjacent to Master's; competes via broad-line distribution and integrated electrical infrastructure offerings.
- Siemens: Global industrial automation and electrical infrastructure player offering fire pump controllers and motor management relays that overlap with Master's portfolio; competes primarily through scale, global service, and integration with broader building automation systems.
Direct peers
- Firetrol: Specialty manufacturer of fire pump controllers for commercial, industrial, and municipal applications; a direct competitor in UL-listed fire pump control cabinets and a close substitute for Master's EC, MC, DEC, and DMC product families.
- AC Fire Pump: Manufacturer and distributor of fire pump systems, including controllers and pump packages; comparable because it sells into the same design/specify/install ecosystem for fire pump rooms in commercial high-rise and institutional buildings.
- Patterson Pump Company: Manufacturer of fire pumps and pre-engineered fire pump packages serving the same commercial, industrial, and municipal specification environment as Master's controllers, often as a complementary (and occasionally competing) supplier within the same fire pump room.
- Aurora Pump (Pentair): Pentair's commercial fire pump brand (Aurora) produces fire pumps and packaged pump systems, often sold alongside third-party controllers; a peer because the fire pump room ecosystem is the shared point of specification, even where Master supplies the controller and Aurora supplies the pump.
- Metron-Farrier (Halma plc): Division of Halma plc manufacturing fire pump controllers and related motor controls for the fire protection market; directly comparable in product scope, certification footprint (UL/FM/NFPA 20), and specification-driven sales motion.
- Tornatech: Canadian-headquartered manufacturer of UL-listed / FM-approved fire pump controllers (electric and diesel), including variable speed models; competes head-to-head with Master in the same NFPA 20 specification environment across North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Master Control Systems social profiles
Digital presenceMaster Control Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Master Control Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Master Control Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Master Control Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Master Control Systems 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 Master Control Systems
What does Master Control Systems do?
Master Control Systems designs and manufactures UL Listed and FM Approved fire pump controllers (EC, ECV, MC, MCV, DEC, DMC series), industrial battery chargers (MBC6, MBC7, MBC19), jockey pump controllers, alarm panels, and custom UL 508A industrial control panels. Its signature offering is the Variable Speed Fire Pump Controller, which the company invented in 2003 and which dynamically regulates motor speed to maintain precise system pressure.
Is Master Control Systems a public or private company?
Master Control Systems is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Master Control Systems founded?
Master Control Systems was founded in 2003.
Where is Master Control Systems based?
Master Control Systems is headquartered in Lake Bluff, United States, in the North America region.
How does Master Control Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fire Pump Controllers are the primary driver. The others are industrial Battery Chargers and industrial Control Panels.
Who are Master Control Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eaton, Xylem, Hubbell and Siemens. Direct peers are Firetrol, AC Fire Pump, Patterson Pump Company, Aurora Pump (Pentair), Metron-Farrier (Halma plc) and Tornatech.
Does Master Control Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Master Control Systems.
What industry is Master Control Systems in?
Master Control Systems's product category is Fire Pump Controllers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAK, Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation), with a secondary code of IMAGACAI, Motor Control Centers & Motor Protection (Overload Relays, Protection, Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3613.