What R+D Custom Automation does

R+D Custom Automation (now operating as R+D Automation) is a U.S.-based engineering firm founded in 1977 that designs, manufactures, and supports custom automation systems for the life sciences industry. From a 65,000 sq ft facility in Trevor, Wisconsin, the company builds integrated automation lines for pharmaceutical and medical device customers spanning IV bag manufacturing, syringe filling, auto-injector assembly, catheter production, inhaler assembly, diagnostic test kits, lateral flow testing, and radioactive vial handling, among other applications. Core technologies include RF and ultrasonic welding, precision servo-driven indexing, Cognex vision-guided inspection, Fanuc and STÄUBLI robotics, laser printing, and clean-room (ISO 5/ISO 7) aseptic processing, with the firm holding a patented solid-state RF welding method for IV bag production and maintaining ISO 9001, UL 508, and GAMP 5 compliance to deliver documentation usable for FDA validation.

The company's business model combines project-based custom capital equipment sales with recurring after-market services. Customers are primarily large pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers (e.g., Pfizer, Baxter, Fresenius, Abbott, Cardinal Health, ICU Medical), with relationships typically originating through a field-sales motion supported by Account Managers and Application Engineers who develop concepts and quotes. Equipment sales are quoted per project with multi-year execution cycles, complemented by a 2-year warranty and annual service contracts (with 6-month extension intervals), spare parts, retrofits, and upgrades that generate recurring revenue. In November 2022, Krones AG (a German-based packaging technology conglomerate) acquired a majority stake, providing international distribution and capital resources; in December 2023, the company rebranded to R+D Automation to signal its expanded role within the Krones pharmaceutical automation portfolio.

Name

R+D Custom Automation

Legal name

R+D Custom Automation, LLC

Website

https://rdcustomautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

R+D Custom Automation (now R+D Automation) is a Wisconsin-based custom automation system integrator founded in 1977 that designs and builds integrated manufacturing equipment for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including IV bag, syringe, auto-injector, and catheter assembly systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Life Sciences Automation Equipment

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN), Bagging, Pouching & Sachet Packaging Equipment (IMAHAOAH), Labeling, Coding & Marking Systems (IMAHAOAE), Label Application Systems & Print-and-Apply (Equipment) (IMALAKAO)

Keywords

• Custom automation systems
• Life sciences automation
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment
• Medical device assembly
• IV bag production systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Trevor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Equipment Sales: Design, manufacture, and installation of custom automation machines for life sciences companies. Machines handle processes including assembly, filling (syringe, bag, vial), robotic work cells, quality inspection, labeling, and packaging. Projects range from proof-of-concept prototypes to complete production systems.
2. After-Market Services and Parts: Comprehensive post-installation support including spare parts (with cost-effective pricing through Krones AG partnerships and in-house machine shop), preventative maintenance, annual service contracts (12+ months with 6-month extensions), emergency services, upgrades and retrofits. 2-year warranty provided.
3. Installation and Training Services: Full installation support including site facilities, site acceptance testing, and training. Training offered at no cost for machine operations at Wisconsin facility; extended training available at customer location for operators, maintenance personnel, and production team members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

R+D Custom Automation designs, engineers, fabricates, and commissions custom automated production equipment — including filling, sealing, assembly, labeling, printing, and inspection systems — for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. The company's portfolio spans IV bag production lines, syringe and auto-injector systems, inhalers, catheters, fluid filters, diagnostic test kits, and radioactive vial handling equipment, complemented by after-market service and replacement-part programs.

Product overview

R+D Custom Automation is a custom machine builder specializing in automation systems for the Life Sciences industry. The company offers a portfolio of distinct automation systems including: IV Bag Automation Systems (assembly, printing, inspection, and stacking), Fluid Filter Automation, Sharps Container Automation, Pump Cassette Automation, Catheter Automation, Syringe Automation (plasma-coating, cleaning, inspection, packaging), Inhaler Automation (assembly with powder filling), Auto Injector Automation, Syringe Filling Systems, Bag Filling Systems, Ampule and Vial Pooling, Drug Filling Systems, Radioactive Vial Handling, Diagnostic Test Kit Assembly, and Lateral Flow Testing systems. The company also provides After-Market Services as an add-on module covering installation, training, spare parts, maintenance, and upgrades. These systems are built with integrated technologies including vision inspection, laser systems, welding technologies, and robotic work cells, all designed to comply with FDA validation, GAMP 5, and ISO 9001 standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IV Bag Automation Systems Custom automated systems for producing, filling, sealing, labeling, inspecting, and handling IV bags, including high-throughput bag-making machines and robotic labeling systems for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Fluid Filter Automation Custom automated systems for assembly, leak testing, and inspection of fluid filter products used in pharmaceutical and medical-device applications.
• Sharps Container Automation Custom automated systems for assembling and packaging sharps containers used in clinical and pharmaceutical waste handling.
• Pump Cassette Automation Custom automation for assembling, testing, and packaging pump cassettes used in infusion and fluid management medical devices.
• Catheter Automation Custom automated systems for assembling, inspecting, and packaging catheters and related sterile single-use medical devices.
• Syringe Automation Custom automation for assembly, inspection, and packaging of syringes for pharmaceutical and medical-device customers.
• Inhaler Automation Custom automated systems for assembling, dosing, inspecting, and packaging metered-dose and dry-powder inhaler devices.
• Auto Injector Automation Custom automated equipment for assembly, functional testing, inspection, and packaging of auto-injector drug-delivery devices.
• Syringe Filling Systems Custom automated syringe filling lines for aseptic and pharmaceutical filling of pre-filled syringes.
• Bag Filling Systems Custom automated equipment for aseptic filling of flexible bags such as IV bags and process bags used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Ampule and Vial Pooling Custom automated systems for pooling, orienting, and handling ampules and vials during filling, inspection, and packaging operations.
• Drug Filling Systems Custom automated drug-product filling systems for sterile and aseptic processing of pharmaceutical liquids.
• Radioactive Vial Handling Custom automated systems for the shielded handling, assembly, and inspection of vials containing radioactive pharmaceutical products.
• Diagnostic Test Kit Assembly Custom automated lines for assembling, labeling, inspecting, and packaging diagnostic test kits.
• Lateral Flow Testing Custom automated equipment for the assembly and processing of lateral flow diagnostic test devices.
• After-Market Services Continuing support for installed equipment, including service contracts, spare parts, on-site installation support, training, upgrades, and case packers/gear packers.
• Fiber Optic Laser Printing & Inspection System Standalone fiber-optic laser-based printing and inspection system providing FDA-compliant serialization markings on pharmaceutical and medical-device products.
• Automatic Carton Labeling System Standalone automatic labeling system designed to apply labels to cartons as part of pharmaceutical and medical-device packaging operations.
• IV Bag Labeling System with Robotic Tending Robotic-tended labeling system for IV bags, providing automated application of compliant labels as part of IV bag production.

Quantifiable outcome

• IV Bag Making Machines produce up to 44 parts per minute with 56 label configurations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fanuc America CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationR+D Custom Automation is a Fanuc Authorized System Integrator. R+D has had great success integrating Fanuc Robotics into automation systems, including 6-Axis clean room robots for IV bag labeling systems. Fanuc provides industrial robots, robot controllers, and factory automation components integrated into R+D's custom solutions.
• STÄUBLI RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership with STÄUBLI Robotics has empowered R+D to revolutionize operations, enhancing efficiency, precision, and innovation. The collaboration is reshaping industries and driving progress in automation solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Krones AG: German global leader in filling and packaging technology and parent company of R+D since 2022. Overlapping portfolio in liquid filling, packaging lines, and serialization for regulated industries makes it both parent and the most relevant broad incumbent peer.
• Coesia: Italian group of packaging machinery companies serving pharma, personal care, and food. Owns multiple life-sciences packaging brands and competes broadly with R+D on integrated filling/packaging lines.

Direct peers

• Optima Group: German specialist in aseptic filling and packaging machinery for pharmaceuticals, biotech, and consumer healthcare. Directly comparable on syringe, vial, and IV bag filling systems sold to the same pharma/med-device buyer base.
• IMA Group: Italian manufacturer of automatic machines for processing and packaging pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Competes head-to-head on aseptic processing, syringe filling, and end-of-line packaging integration for life sciences.
• Syntegon Technology: Former Bosch Packaging Technology; provides processing and packaging solutions for pharma, food, and cosmetics. Directly comparable in pharmaceutical filling lines, inspection, and serialization systems.
• Bausch + Strobel: German specialist in pharmaceutical filling and packaging machines, particularly vials, syringes, and ampoules. Highly comparable in aseptic liquid filling for injectables.
• Groninger: German manufacturer of filling and packaging machines for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer care. Overlaps on vial, syringe, and liquid filling systems for regulated pharma customers.
• Marchesini Group: Italian supplier of packaging machinery and turnkey lines for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Comparable in serialization, labeling, and end-of-line packaging integration.
• Steriline: Italian specialist in aseptic filling equipment for vials, syringes, and ampoules. Directly comparable on ISO 5/7 aseptic liquid filling platforms for injectable pharma.

Emerging players

• ProMach: US-based packaging machinery integrator with pharma filling, labeling, and end-of-line capabilities. Comparable as a North American integrator serving pharma/med-device customers with custom and semi-custom automation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rplusdautomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/RDCustomAutomation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rdcustomautomation
• Xx.com/customsystemsRD

Compliance3 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 R+D Custom Automation