What IES does

IES Inc (Industrial Electrical Services) is a privately held industrial engineering firm founded in 1985 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, with a regional office in Harvey, Louisiana. The company designs and builds custom machinery, control systems, robotics integrations, vision systems, and custom software for industrial manufacturers, with all equipment designed and constructed in-house and fully tested prior to shipment. Its core technology stack integrates programmable logic controllers (PLCs), operator interfaces, vision sensors, industrial robots, and custom software using SolidWorks for mechanical design and AutoCAD for electrical drawings; the firm is an Authorized Lincoln Electric Robot Integrator and was the first authorized system integrator for DVT Corporation in 1997. Notable technical capabilities include custom OPC server and legacy interface development, ROBOGUIDE-based robot simulation, and vision inspection systems capable of running up to 300 parts per minute with 18 high-resolution cameras.

IES generates revenue through project-based custom engineering engagements sold via direct field sales to enterprise industrial customers, with each project quote-based on scope and complexity. Project values range from a few hundred dollars to over one million dollars, and services span turnkey systems as well as software-only or engineering-only engagements. The customer base includes major industrial manufacturers such as International Paper, WestRock, Georgia-Pacific, Rheem, GE, Boise Cascade, Marathon, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, and Resolute Forest Products, across verticals including pulp and paper, HVAC, small engines, lumber, and government. Distribution is direct from the Montgomery and Harvey offices to customers concentrated in the southeastern United States, with repeat engagements and referrals driving the sales cycle rather than active outbound marketing.

Name

IES

Legal name

IES Inc

Website

https://ies-inc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IES Inc is a privately held industrial engineering firm founded in 1985 in Montgomery, Alabama, that designs and builds custom machinery, control systems, robotics, vision inspection, and software for enterprise manufacturers in the southeastern United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Engineering Services: Project-based custom engineering services for industrial automation including custom machinery design, control systems, robotics integration, vision systems, and software development. Revenue derived from design fees, equipment construction, and system integration services. Projects range from a few hundred dollars to well over one million dollars. Services include turnkey systems as well as software and engineering services only engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

IES provides custom design and construction of industrial machinery, robotics, control systems, and vision inspection systems along with custom software development for industrial manufacturers. Services range from custom-engineered turnkey machines and assembly lines to software-only and engineering-only engagements, with all equipment designed, built, and fully tested in-house prior to shipment.

Product overview

IES provides industrial engineering solutions organized into five core service divisions: Control Systems (industrial electrical control systems using PLCs and operator interfaces), Custom Machinery (custom-designed assembly, testing, and production equipment), Robotics (industrial robot integration with custom end-of-arm tooling), Software Development (custom drivers, OPC servers, and data acquisition systems), and Vision Systems (automated inspection and quality control using vision sensors). The company was founded in 1985 and operates as an industrial electrical and mechanical engineering services provider serving manufacturing environments including pulp/paper, automotive, electronics, and machining. Design and construction of all equipment is performed in-house, with services ranging from turnkey systems to specific software and engineering support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Vision system capable of performing inspection at rates of up to 300 ppm with 18 high resolution cameras
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

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.

• Lincoln ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationIES is an Authorized Lincoln Electric Robot Integrator. IES mechanical and electrical engineers work together to specify robot type and load capacity, design custom end-of-arm tooling, run ROBOGUIDE simulations, and design safety infrastructure for industrial robot installations.
• DVT CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationIES became the first authorized system integrator for DVT Corporation in 1997. DVT is a visual inspection technology company, and IES has since become proficient in most major visual inspection technologies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Genesis Systems Group: Genesis Systems specializes in robotic systems integration, custom machinery, and automated welding/assembly solutions for industrial manufacturers. Directly comparable in robotics integration and custom-engineering focus.
• JR Automation: JR Automation designs and builds custom automated manufacturing and integration solutions across multiple industries. Operates in the same custom-engineering, turnkey-automation space as IES, with comparable robotic and controls integration capabilities.
• Midwest Engineered Systems: Midwest Engineered Systems is a custom automation integrator providing engineered solutions for industrial manufacturers, including robotic systems, vision inspection, and custom machinery. Closely comparable to IES in service scope and customer profile.
• ATS Corporation: ATS is a publicly traded custom automation solutions provider that designs, builds, and services automated manufacturing systems. Highly comparable to IES's custom machinery and systems integration offering, though at materially larger scale and global footprint.
• Progressive Automations: Progressive Automations designs and builds linear actuators and custom automation solutions for industrial and commercial applications. Comparable in custom engineering and small-to-medium scale automation integration.
• Valiant TMS: Valiant TMS provides industrial automation, control systems integration, and custom machinery solutions to manufacturers. Closely matches IES's five-discipline service model of control systems, robotics, vision, and custom machinery.

Emerging players

• Cognex Corporation: Cognex is a leading provider of machine vision systems and industrial barcode readers. Overlaps with IES's Vision Systems division and represents both a technology supplier relationship and indirect competitor in vision inspection applications.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation: ABB manufactures industrial robots and provides automation solutions for discrete and process industries. Comparable to IES in robotics integration but at massive scale and via standardized robotic platforms.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation, control systems, and software (including Allen-Bradley PLCs). Competes with IES broadly in control systems and integration, but at vastly larger scale and via standardized products rather than custom builds.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Siemens provides industrial automation hardware, PLCs, drives, and software (TIA Portal). Overlaps with IES in industrial controls and systems integration but competes via a standardized global product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 IES