What KAON Automation does

KAON Automation, founded in 2005 in Sligo, Ireland by Garreth Finlay and Fergus Hynes (originally as Automation Technology Services, rebranded in 2021), is a custom industrial automation solutions provider specializing in regulated manufacturing environments. The company was acquired by Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR) on January 9, 2026, with the transaction backed by Ares Private Equity funds, and now operates as "AIR Sligo" within a combined entity of more than 550 employees across the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

The company's core offering is bespoke automation systems rather than off-the-shelf equipment, integrating multi-vendor robotics (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Staubli, Mitsubishi), machine vision with deep learning capabilities, B&R ACOPOStrak and ACOPOS6D flexible track systems, servo control architectures, and specialized process machinery. Notable productized capabilities include the High Speed Filler (up to 120 parts per minute with Staubli Stericlean 6-axis robots and Coriolis flow meters), the Flexible Filler (250ml to 20L containers with zero-touch changeover under 10 minutes), an Automated PCB Disassembly System (under 3 seconds per screw with 3D vision), and automated palletising systems. KAON holds domain specialization in regulated environments through GAMP 5 pre-validated documentation suites, optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, and ISO 7 clean room delivery capability, supporting validation across the full project lifecycle (FDS, HDS, SDS, FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, PQ).

KAON operates an enterprise field sales model with direct technical consultation, custom scoping, multi-year project contracts, and no resellers or channel partners. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of custom automation machines with adjacent professional services for validation, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support. Pricing is project-based and not publicly disclosed. Primary customer segments are medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers (under NDA), with secondary exposure to automotive Tier 2 suppliers and electronics/consumer goods manufacturers. The company operates a 3,000 sqm purpose-built headquarters in Collooney, Sligo and a 900 sqm regional facility in Cork (opened 2021), serving an international customer base across Ireland, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Name

KAON Automation

Legal name

Automated Industrial Robotics Sligo Limited

Website

https://kaonautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KAON Automation, founded in 2005 in Sligo, Ireland, designs and delivers custom industrial automation systems integrating robotics, machine vision, and specialized process machinery for medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, and electronics manufacturers. Acquired by AIR in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging Line Automation, Robotics & Integration (Controls, Turnkey Lines) (IMALAOAL), End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN), Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Factory Automation & Control Systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS) (IMAIAMAA)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Custom automation solutions
• Pharmaceutical filling machines
• Medical device automation
• Robotic integration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Collooney

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Machine Sales: Design, build, and deliver bespoke automation solutions to manufacturing companies. Revenue generated from custom machine projects including concept development, detailed design, build, installation, and validation. Projects span from proof of principle to full end-to-end automated production lines.
2. Validation and Support Services: Ongoing technical support, installation, site commissioning, validation support, and optimization services. Includes training programs and ongoing maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KAON Automation designs and builds bespoke industrial automation systems for manufacturing customers, integrating robotics (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Staubli, Mitsubishi), machine vision, servo control, and intelligent conveyors into custom production lines. Its portfolio spans high-speed aseptic pharmaceutical filling machines, flexible multi-format fillers with zero-touch change-over, automated PCB disassembly systems for electronics recycling, automated palletising cells, and full technology integration plus GAMP 5 validation services, delivered end-to-end from scope definition through installation and after-sales support.

Product overview

KAON Automation (now AIR Sligo) is a custom automation solutions provider founded in 2005, serving medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, and electronics manufacturers. The company offers a portfolio of specialized filling machines (High Speed Filler and Flexible Filler), automated disassembly systems for electronics recycling, and comprehensive technology integration services. The High Speed Filler delivers high-throughput pharmaceutical filling (up to 120 ppm) while the Flexible Filler provides versatile multi-format filling with rapid changeover. All solutions are backed by validation support following GAMP 5 standards and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance capabilities. The company operates facilities in Ireland (Sligo, Cork) and serves international customers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KAON High Speed Filling System State-of-the-art high speed filling system engineered for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, achieving up to 120 parts per minute with Coriolis flow meter technology, Staubli Stericlean 6-axis robots, and 100% in-line vision inspection. Configured for bottles, solution bags, and pouches.
• KAON Flexible Filler System Versatile filling system handling multi-format filling from 250ml bottles to 20L drums with zero-touch changeover in under 10 minutes, automatic CIP during production, and advanced robotics for pharmaceutical, beverage, chemical, consumer goods, and industrial fluids.
• Automated PCB Disassembly System Advanced automated unscrewing system for electronics recycling combining precision robotics with deep learning-based machine vision for PCB screw removal, featuring X-Y-Z servo gantry system with 3D vision and processing time under 3 seconds per screw.
• Automated Palletising System Customised automated palletising system using a KUKA 6-axis robot with 2.7m reach for stacking boxes on pallets with 5, 6, or 7 layer options, featuring modular guard cell design and integration with existing production lines.
• Technology Integration Services Comprehensive automation technology integration including robotics, process development, product transfer systems, part assembly, feeding systems, dispensing, vision systems, joining techniques, printing, labelling, and testing across multiple manufacturing sectors.
• Quality and Validation Services Validation support following GAMP V model life cycles with full documentation suite, pre-validation to GAMP 5 standards, and support for all project stages including FDS, HDS, SDS, FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, and PQ validation phases, with optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• OEE > 90% achieved on SuperTrak automation project replacing 24/7 manual process
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIR acquired KAON Automation in January 2026. KAON now operates as AIR Sligo under AIR's global automation platform. The unified operating model integrates KAON into AIR's structure of over 550 employees across US, Ireland, and UK. KAON co-founders Garreth Finlay and Fergus Hynes joined AIR leadership.
• Atlantic MedTech ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAON (as ATS) was one of eight founding member companies of the Atlantic MedTech Cluster established under Enterprise Ireland's Clustering Programme. Cluster includes Arrotek, iNBLEX Plastics, Pharma Stainless, SL Controls, Tool & Gauge, Verus Precision, and Ward Automation. Created to promote Ireland as global centre of excellence for medical technology.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ATS Corporation: Largest pure-play custom automation integrator for life sciences, medical devices, food, and consumer products. Directly comparable to KAON's bespoke factory automation cells and validation-heavy regulated projects, and one of the most-cited benchmarks for a multi-region automation platform of the type KAON is now joining via AIR.
• JR Automation (Hitachi): Custom automation integrator serving automotive, medical device, and consumer goods with robotics, vision, and assembly cells. Closely comparable to KAON in project-based custom work and end-of-line integration; now embedded in a large industrial parent (Hitachi), illustrating the strategic acquirer path KAON has taken with AIR/Ares.
• Peak Technology: Custom industrial automation integrator for medical device and high-tech manufacturing, with strong validation and assembly capabilities. Direct comparable to KAON's medtech and regulated-customer focus, and to its project-based, multi-OEM technology integration model.
• Sage Automation: US-based custom automation integrator focused on robotics, machine vision, and control systems for industrial customers. Comparable to KAON's core automation integration services and customer mix (manufacturing, assembly, end-of-line).
• Concept Systems Inc. Industrial automation systems integrator specializing in robotics, machine vision, and motion control for manufacturing. Overlaps with KAON's robotics-and-vision-led custom cells and serves a similarly broad industrial customer base.
• RōBEX: Custom robotic automation integrator delivering end-of-line, palletising, and material handling solutions to manufacturers. Closely comparable to KAON's automated palletising and end-of-line integration work using multi-OEM robots.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics: Global industrial robot and automation OEM that also offers integrated solutions. Comparable as both a broad incumbent competitor and a current KAON technology partner (ABB robots), representing the supplier-side ceiling KAON must compete against as projects scale.
• KUKA Robotics: Major industrial robot and integrated automation solutions provider. Comparable to KAON as a broad incumbent in robotics-driven automation, and a current technology supplier whose robots KAON integrates into custom cells.
• Stäubli Robotics: Global manufacturer of industrial and collaborative robots, including Stericlean cleanroom robots used in aseptic filling. Highly comparable to KAON's high-speed aseptic filling line and a current technology partner as well as a broader competitor in regulated-automation integration.
• ProMach: Large packaging and end-of-line automation provider across food, beverage, pharma, and consumer goods. Comparable to KAON's filling and end-of-line packaging integration work, but operating at much greater scale with a more productized portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaon-automation
• Xx.com/KaonAutomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/KaonAutomation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 KAON Automation