What Automatic Systems, Inc. does

Automatic Systems, Inc. (ASI) is a privately held, Kansas City, Missouri-based designer and manufacturer of custom-engineered conveyor systems and turnkey material handling solutions for automotive manufacturing and airport baggage handling. Founded in 1972 by Duane Smith and currently led by President and CEO Michael Hoehn (since 2007) with CFO David Stephanchick, ASI operates from five locations across the United States (Kansas City headquarters, Rochester Hills MI, Lansing MI) and Mexico (León and Saltillo). The company employs 101-250 people and is a four-time General Motors Supplier of the Year winner (1997, 1998, 2021, 2022). Its product portfolio centers on conveyor technologies including the Electrified Monorail System (EMS) and Heavy-Duty EMS, Power & Free conveyors in 3"/4"/6" overhead and inverted configurations, the Autoflex enclosed track system, friction conveyors, skillet conveyors, skid/roller systems, flat top and flighted conveyors, roller/belt (CDLR/BDLR) conveyors, and the patented pendulum conveyor for paint processes. Supporting products include tow systems, the Autoshock II shock absorbing tow bar, body marriage systems, lift/transfers, custom robotics cells, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and carts (AGCs, through affiliate IntelliTrak), and rack & pallet handling systems.

Name

Automatic Systems, Inc.

Legal name

Automatic Systems, Inc.

Website

https://asi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Automatic Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and installs custom-engineered conveyor systems and turnkey material handling automation for automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers and US airport authorities, operating from Kansas City with additional offices in Michigan and Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling & Conveyor Systems

NAICS

Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613), Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Material handling systems
• Conveyor systems
• Airport baggage handling
• Automotive manufacturing automation
• Automated guided vehicles

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom-Engineered Conveyor Systems and Automation Solutions: ASI designs, builds, installs, and commissions turnkey conveyor systems and automation solutions for airport baggage handling and automotive manufacturing customers. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts for custom-engineered systems including EMS, power & free conveyors, friction conveyors, AGV/AGC, body marriage systems, lift/transfers, robotics, skillet conveyors, and tow systems. Projects are typically multi-million dollar engagements involving design, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning.
2. Aftermarket Spare Parts and Services: Replacement parts, reverse engineering for obsolete parts, health assessments, layout and detail engineering services, fabrication and machining of conveyor components, structural steel and platform fabrication, upgrades, refurbishments, and relocations, kitting of parts, and aftermarket replacement of ASI trolleys, fork transfers, Autoshock components, and original ASI project components.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Automatic Systems, Inc. designs, builds, installs, and commissions turnkey conveyor systems and material handling automation for automotive manufacturing plants and airport baggage handling. Its portfolio spans electrified monorail, power & free, friction, skillet and tow conveyors, AGVs/AGCs, robotics, body marriage and lift/transfer systems, plus aftermarket spare parts and services.

Product overview

Automatic Systems, Inc. is a turnkey material handling solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of conveyor systems and automation for airport baggage handling and automotive manufacturing environments. The product lineup centers on multiple conveyor technologies including the EMS (Electrified Monorail System) and its Heavy Duty variant for engine assembly, Power & Free Conveyors in 3", 4", and 6" configurations with the Autoflex enclosed track option, Friction Conveyor Systems, Tow Systems, Skillet Conveyors, Skid/Roller Systems, Flat Top/Mat Chain/Flighted Conveyors, Roller & Belt Conveyors (CDLR/BDLR), and Pendulum Conveyors for paint applications. Supporting these core conveyor products are automated guided vehicles (AGV/AGC), Robotics integration, Body Marriage Systems, Lift/Transfers, and the Autoshock shock absorbing tow bar. The company also provides Airport Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) and Rack & Pallet Handling Systems. A comprehensive aftermarket service offering includes spare parts, reverse engineering, health assessments, and upgrades for both ASI and other OEM legacy systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMS (Electrified Monorail System) Electrically powered monorail conveyor system for quiet, clean, efficient product transport through manufacturing facilities, with onboard PLC intelligence, variable-speed carriers, and RFID tracking for positioning and quality control. For automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 manufacturers.
• ASI Heavy Duty Electrified Monorail System (HD-EMS) Heavy-duty EMS variant for assembly and final dress of large engines, handling loads from 1,500# to 7,500# with flexible flip-up/down tooling and servo-controlled lift and rotate features.
• Power & Free Conveyors (3", 4", 6" Overhead & Inverted) Versatile material handling for delivering products of various sizes to multiple locations across manufacturing, paint, or assembly facilities, in 3", 4", and 6" overhead and inverted configurations.
• Autoflex Enclosed Track Conveyor Overhead and inverted enclosed-track power & free conveyor for loads up to 1,000 pounds per carrier, with automatic carrier tracking using barcoding.
• Friction Conveyor System (Overhead & Inverted) Low-maintenance, cost-effective alternative to power & free and EMS, using electrically driven heavy-capacity carriers with quiet, clean operation and no chains requiring oil/grease.
• Tow Systems Cost-effective overhead and floor tow systems for moving heavy loads through production processes with switching capabilities and high-speed transport while maintaining product access.
• Skillet Conveyors Moving-platform conveyors pushed end to end along a track, suited for general assembly operations requiring universal product access with no carrier arms interfering with assembly.
• Skid / Roller Systems Belt skid systems for quiet, efficient transport of skids in manufacturing and storage areas, including power roll beds, turntables, lift tables, and cross transfer stations up to 5,000 lbs.
• Flat Top, Mat Chain and Flighted Conveyor Apron, slat, and flat top conveyors providing safe, ergonomic work environments for assembly, with some configurations allowing workers to move along with the product.
• Roller & Belt Conveyors (CDLR/BDLR) Space-saving chain-driven and belt-driven live roller conveyor systems for delivery of pallets, tires, and wheels, with BDLR offering quieter, lower-maintenance operation.
• Pendulum Conveyors Patented pendulum conveyor system for paint-process applications with lighter, narrower skids, greater articulation capacity, and steeper entry/exit angles to reduce air pockets.
• Airport Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) Turnkey baggage handling systems including ticket/check-in conveyors, queue conveyors, power turns, spiral turns, merges, high-speed diverters, vertical sorters, transport conveyors, plough merges, make-up carousels, and chutes for airports.
• Body Marriage Systems Overhead crane shuttle automation or synchronized vehicle delivery systems for chassis and drive train assembly, synchronization, and marriage to trimmed vehicle bodies.
• Lift / Transfers High lift fork transfers for vertical/horizontal position changes with vertical travels up to 70 feet, and low lift transfers, with absolute positioning via encoders and coded rail.
• Robotics Custom application automation and robot cells for assembly, welding, painting, palletizing, and sortation, including fixed-path automation and programmable vision safety systems.
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) Intelligent robotic systems that navigate autonomously to transport materials and products, with onboard controls, multiple power supply options, and scalability for airports, automotive, and manufacturing.
• Automated Guided Carts (AGC) Self-guided vehicles for material transport with part-holding details, pallet rollers, or scissor lifts, scalable across airports and automotive manufacturing (provided via sister company IntelliTrak).
• Autoshock Shock Absorbing Tow Bar Industrial tow bar with shock absorption to cushion starting/stopping on power & free conveyor systems, reducing noise, wear, and part damage. Autoshock II adds improved reliability and maintainability.
• Rack & Pallet Handling Systems Systems for managing shipping racks along plant assembly lines, with rack exchange in under 28 seconds and designed to meet assembly rates of one part every 45 seconds.
• Spare Parts and Services (Aftermarket) Aftermarket support for ASI and other OEM legacy conveyor systems, including replacement part identification, reverse engineering of obsolete parts, health assessments, layout and detail engineering, fabrication, machining, upgrades, refurbishments, relocations, and kitting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mean time to repair reduced through aftermarket spare parts and services support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IntelliTrakcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntelliTrak is a sister company of Automatic Systems, Inc. specializing in Automated Guided Carts (AGCs). ASI refers AGC inquiries to IntelliTrak and recommends their AGC products on the ASI guided vehicles page. The companies share expertise in guided vehicle technology.
• WampflercoreTechnology or IntegrationWampfler provides key power and communication technology for ASI's EMS systems. Wampfler IPT contactless power rails are used in the Heavy Duty EMS system, eliminating maintenance of typical conductor bars and brush systems. Wampfler iDAT communication modules enable non-contact communications between carrier controls and the main PLC. Wampfler Programme 815 electrification also used in standard EMS systems.
• VahlecoreTechnology or IntegrationVahle provides electrification technology for ASI's EMS systems. Standard electrification includes Vahle U10 conductor bar. Contactless electrification uses Vahle CPS technology.
• Verisys RegistrarsminorOthersVerisys Registrars provides ISO certification services for ASI. Certified ASI to ISO 9001:2015 (October 16, 2020, valid through October 14, 2026) and ISO 14001:2015 (May 12, 2023, valid through May 10, 2029).
• TÜV Management ServiceminorOthersTÜV Management Service of North America certified ASI's Quality System to ISO 9001-1994 and QS 9000/TE standards in November 1998, recertified in September 2001, 2004, 2007-2009.
• Lico SteelminorOthersLico Steel, originally started as ASI's steel erection company in the 1980s during ASI's diversification period, is today part of the ASI family of companies.
• Motor Suppliers (SEW, Nord, Baldor, Lenze, Bauer, Flender)coreTechnology or IntegrationMajor motor brands including SEW, Nord, Baldor, Lenze, Bauer, and Flender are used across ASI's conveyor product lines for motor drives and power transmission components.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Daifuku: Global leader in material handling systems including conveyors, AGVs, and automated storage. Daifuku serves automotive OEMs and airports with similar conveyor and automation technologies to ASI's EMS, Power & Free, and BHS portfolios.
• Vanderlande: Airport baggage handling systems specialist serving global airport authorities. Vanderlande competes directly with ASI in the airport BHS segment and offers comparable conveyor-based solutions for passenger terminals.
• Dematic: KION Group subsidiary providing integrated material handling solutions including conveyors, AGVs, and warehouse automation. Dematic overlaps with ASI on conveyor system design, installation, and aftermarket services for industrial customers.
• Beumer Group: Family-owned material handling systems provider specializing in airport baggage handling, intralogistics, and conveying. Beumer is a direct competitor to ASI in airport BHS turnkey projects in North America and Europe.
• Swisslog: KUKA-owned provider of automated material handling and conveyor solutions for warehouses, distribution centers, and healthcare logistics. Swisslog competes with ASI in conveyor-based automation and aftermarket services.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell's material handling automation business offering conveyors, sortation, AS/RS, and robotic solutions. Intelligrated competes with ASI in conveyor system integration and aftermarket services for manufacturing and distribution customers.
• TGW Logistics Group: Warehouse and distribution center automation specialist offering conveyor systems, robotic picking, and controls. TGW competes with ASI in industrial material handling projects requiring conveyor-based flow.
• Bastian Solutions: Toyota Industries-owned material handling integrator specializing in conveyors, robotics, AGVs, and warehouse execution software. Bastian Solutions is comparable to ASI in automotive and industrial conveyor system integration.
• Murata Machinery: Japanese manufacturer of material handling systems including AGVs, conveyors, automated storage, and texturing equipment. Muratec serves automotive and electronics manufacturers with conveyor technologies that overlap with ASI's portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Logistics: Siemens business unit covering airport baggage and cargo handling systems as part of a broader industrial automation portfolio. Comparable to ASI's airport BHS segment, though operating as part of a much larger industrial conglomerate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automatic-systems-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Automatic Systems, Inc.