B.W. Clark
B.W. Clark is a South Carolina-based industrial automation component distributor founded in 1968, serving regional manufacturers with sensors, drives, motors, networking, and safety products from approximately 30 manufacturer partners, now operating as a subsidiary of Tavoron.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersWest Columbia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What B.W. Clark does
B.W. Clark, Inc. is a regional industrial automation component distributor headquartered in West Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1968 as J.W. Vaughan Co., Inc. of Columbia, the company has operated continuously for over five decades under the leadership of Barry W. Clark (since 2000), serving South Carolina industrial manufacturers with factory automation controls, sensors, motors, drives, safety equipment, and networking products. It maintains a centrally-located distribution center supplemented by account management offices across the state to provide regional coverage.
The company distributes products from approximately 30 manufacturer partners across six core categories: sensors and logic controls (Banner Engineering, Turck, HMS/Red Lion); machine safety (light curtains, interlocks, safety relays — Fortress Interlocks, among others); electric motor drives and controls (Danfoss, Yaskawa, Fuji); electric motors (WEG); bus-level networking and industrial connectivity (Wago, HMS/N-Tron); and mechanical drives. In-house engineering staff support product application and technical questions, differentiating the company from pure-box-pushing distributors.
B.W. Clark operates a B2B distribution model with revenue generated through hardware sales via direct field account managers and quote-based pricing. Following its January 2026 acquisition by Tavoron — a national industrial automation platform backed by Fusion Capital Partners — the company is integrating into a broader holding-company ecosystem of 14+ automation specialists while continuing local operations under the B.W. Clark brand. The Tavoron acquisition was paired with the acquisition of B.W. Clark's former parent, Seltrol, Inc.
B.W. Clark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- B.W. Clark
- Legal name
- B.W. Clark, Inc.
- Website
- https://bwclark.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- B.W. Clark is a South Carolina-based industrial automation component distributor founded in 1968, serving regional manufacturers with sensors, drives, motors, networking, and safety products from approximately 30 manufacturer partners, now operating as a subsidiary of Tavoron.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
B.W. Clark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Distribution
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK)
Keywords
Where B.W. Clark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
B.W. Clark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Distribution: B.W. Clark distributes industrial automation products including sensors, motors, drives, safety equipment, and networking components to industrial customers in South Carolina and beyond. Revenue is generated through the sale and distribution of automation components from multiple manufacturer partners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
B.W. Clark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
B.W. Clark distributes industrial automation components and factory automation controls to South Carolina and Southeastern U.S. manufacturers. Its product portfolio spans sensors, logic controls, HMI/operator terminals, machine safety products, electric motors and motor drives, industrial networking and PLC peripherals, and mechanical drives. The company combines distribution with in-house engineering support to help customers select, apply, and integrate these automation products.
Product overview
B.W. Clark is an industrial automation products distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of factory automation components across six main product categories. The company distributes sensors, logic controls, and touch panels from manufacturers like Banner, TURCK, and Red Lion; machine safety products including light curtains and safety relays; electric motor drives and controls from Danfoss, Yaskawa, and Fuji; electric motors and accessories from WEG and others; bus level and networking products for PLCs and industrial Ethernet; and mechanical drives and gear reducers from Grove Gear, Shimpo, and Stober. B.W. Clark operates as part of Tavoron Companies, a national industrial automation platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sensors, Logic Controls & Touch Panels
Companies that use B.W. Clark
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
B.W. Clark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
B.W. Clark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TavoroncoreTavoron, a national leader in industrial automation backed by Fusion Capital Partners, acquired Seltrol, Inc. and its subsidiary B.W. Clark, Inc. in January 2026. This represents Tavoron's second add-on acquisition since being purchased by Fusion Capital Partners. Both acquired companies continue operating locally while integrating into Tavoron's broader automation business under the leadership of Scott Wojciak, expanding Tavoron's geographic reach in the Southeastern United States.
- Seltrol, Inc.coreSeltrol, Inc. is the parent company of B.W. Clark, Inc. Both factory automation distributors are headquartered in South Carolina and were acquired together by Tavoron. Seltrol and B.W. Clark both specialize in factory automation controls, motion and sensing products, and programmable logic controllers.
- Banner EngineeringcoreBanner Engineering is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include photoelectric, laser, radar and ultrasonic sensors, logic controls, wireless sensors, LED lighting, vision and barcode sensors.
- TurckcoreTurck is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include proximity and capacitive sensors, level controls, cordsets, intrinsically safe barriers, flow monitors, pressure monitors, linear transducers, encoders, and RFID systems.
- HMS Networks (Red Lion, N-Tron)coreHMS Networks brands (Red Lion, N-Tron, Sixnet) are manufacturer partners of B.W. Clark. Products include HMI panels, counters, rate indicators, controllers, digital panel meters, PLC peripherals, signal conditioners, process controllers, industrial connectivity and wireless solutions.
- WagocoreWago is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include CAGE CLAMP terminal blocks, connectors, electronic modules, rail mounted terminal block systems, PCB terminal blocks, and components for automation including wireless and I/O systems.
- DanfosscoreDanfoss is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include AC voltage vector drives up to 1000 HP with BUS compatibility, solid state starters, and motor control products.
- WEGcoreWEG is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include electric motors, power transformers, frequency drives and controls, including severe duty motors, IEEE 841 motors, explosion proof motors, and ATEX motors.
- DynaparcoreDynapar is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include ACURO absolute rotary encoders, general purpose incremental encoders, mill duty digital tachometers, pulse generators and encoders.
- YaskawacoreYaskawa is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include AC Inverter Drives up to 2250HP, AC to AC converters, ultra-low harmonics drives, and full regeneration drives.
- Fortress InterlocksminorFortress Interlocks is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark for machine safety products including safety interlock trapped key systems, modular pushbuttons and interlocks.
- PulsminorPuls is a manufacturer partner of B.W. Clark. Products include DIN rail mounted DC power supplies, single phase and 3 phase power supplies, and DC UPS systems.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights3 records
B.W. Clark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Motion Industries: One of North America's largest industrial parts distributors (a Genuine Parts Company subsidiary); competes with B.W. Clark on motors, drives, mechanical power transmission, and industrial MRO supplies at national scale.
- Applied Industrial Technologies: Large public industrial distributor with broad coverage of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and industrial products including automation; significantly larger and broader in scope but overlapping with B.W. Clark on motor, drive, and controls categories.
- Rexel USA: Global electrical and automation products distributor with significant U.S. presence; competes with B.W. Clark on industrial controls, drives, sensors, and automation solutions across broader geographies.
Emerging players
- AutomationDirect: Direct-to-customer e-commerce automation components retailer for PLCs, drives, sensors, and HMI—bypassing the traditional distributor channel that B.W. Clark operates in. Represents a structural threat to incumbent regional distributors.
Direct peers
- Doig Corporation: Tavoron peer distributor focused on industrial automation and process control products; comparable channel partner model serving regional manufacturers.
- JHFOSTER: Sister industrial automation distributor under Tavoron Companies; similar business model distributing factory automation products to industrial customers in the upper Midwest.
- HTE Technologies: Another Tavoron family factory automation distributor serving Midwest U.S. industrial customers with comparable sensors, controls, and drives portfolio.
- Seltrol: Sister company under Tavoron; both headquartered in South Carolina and specializing in factory automation controls, motion/sensing, and PLCs. Effectively the closest direct peer acquired together with B.W. Clark.
- Sensors Incorporated / Sensors Integration: Tavoron family companies providing sensor-focused distribution and integration services; direct peer in the sensing and instrumentation segment of industrial automation.
- DP Technologies Group / DP Brown of Saginaw: Tavoron affiliate industrial distributor serving Michigan manufacturers with power transmission, bearings, and automation products—comparable regional industrial channel model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
B.W. Clark social profiles
Digital presenceB.W. Clark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
B.W. Clark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
B.W. Clark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
B.W. Clark 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 B.W. Clark
What does B.W. Clark do?
B.W. Clark distributes industrial automation components and factory automation controls to South Carolina and Southeastern U.S. manufacturers. Its product portfolio spans sensors, logic controls, HMI/operator terminals, machine safety products, electric motors and motor drives, industrial networking and PLC peripherals, and mechanical drives. The company combines distribution with in-house engineering support to help customers select, apply, and integrate these automation products.
Is B.W. Clark a public or private company?
B.W. Clark is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was B.W. Clark founded?
B.W. Clark was founded in 1968. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is B.W. Clark based?
B.W. Clark is headquartered in West Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does B.W. Clark make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Distribution.
Who are B.W. Clark's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Motion Industries, Applied Industrial Technologies and Rexel USA. AutomationDirect is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Doig Corporation, JHFOSTER, HTE Technologies, Seltrol, Sensors Incorporated / Sensors Integration and DP Technologies Group / DP Brown of Saginaw.
Does B.W. Clark have an API?
No public API is recorded for B.W. Clark.
What industry is B.W. Clark in?
B.W. Clark's product category is Industrial Automation Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers), with a secondary code of IMAGABAJ, Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 5084.