What Applied Automation does

Applied Automation (UK) Ltd is a privately held industrial automation group founded in 1985 in Plymouth, England, operating under the Applied Automation Group brand with legal registration in England (company number 02532117). The group designs, builds, and integrates bespoke automation systems for global OEM customers across Life Sciences, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, EV, Aerospace, Defence, Energy, FMCG, and Consumer Products end-markets, supported by a 155,000 sq. ft. Plymouth engineering and manufacturing facility, regional sales/ distribution offices in Cardiff and Waterlooville, and a new Bolton site opened in 2025 to support the MayTec Solutions division. Revenue is generated predominantly through project-based contracts for full-system integration, complemented by after-sales services (servicing contracts, spare parts, remote monitoring, breakdown support, training), controls and machine-upgrade retrofit work, and multi-vendor programme management.

The technology stack integrates in-house mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineering under a proprietary Workflow System that enforces discipline, traceability, and consistency across projects, with GAMP 5 validation processes supporting regulated work in Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical, and Automotive contexts. A Customer Online Portal offers real-time visibility of project progress. Distribution and integration partnerships with SMC Pneumatics (since 1986), Omron Electronics (since 1991), MayTec GmbH (since 1994), Universal Robots (since 2015), and Boeing Automation (since 2016) anchor component supply and OEM access. The group also operates a portfolio of specialist sub-brands and acquired entities covering modular aluminium framing (MayTec Solutions), build-to-print manufacturing, marine control and automation (Applied Marine Automation and Marine Solutions), CNC tube bending (Applied Tube Technology / Tube Technology), engineering components and workholding (PTG Precision Engineering, PTG Workholding, Paletti UK), bespoke packaging for legal cannabis, tea, and tobacco (CME Solutions), ingot casting machinery (T Masters & Son), and technical distribution. The in-house CAPPS CNC and metrology software, with a 2026 release featuring laser scanning, chip detection, and Industry 4.0 integration, productises a portion of the firm's process control IP.

The business model is sales-led via direct enterprise field sales, with enquiry handling routed through dedicated contact forms and phone support at +44 (0)1752 349920, and a quote-based pricing model driven by project scope and complexity rather than published list pricing. Group turnover grew from £5M in 2005 to £26M in 2023, with leadership continuity under Managing Director David Rowe (the role since 1990) and a long-running M&A programme including Wales Fluid Power (1999), Applied Tube Technology (2010), TP Electronics (2010), PTG Precision Engineering (2017), PTG Workholding (2023), CME Solutions formation (2024), and Paletti UK (2025). Certifications achieved in 2024 - ISO 9001 and UL approval - extend addressable regulated and export-bound workload.

Name

Applied Automation

Legal name

Applied Automation (UK) Ltd

Website

https://appliedautomation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Applied Automation (UK) Ltd, founded 1985 in Plymouth, designs and integrates bespoke automation and control systems for global OEMs across life sciences, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, aerospace, defence, and FMCG, operating a 155,000 sq. ft. engineering facility, multiple specialist sub-brands, and a UK sales footprint via Plymouth, Cardiff, Waterlooville, and Bolton.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Automation, Controls & Instrumentation Engineering (IAS, PMS, Control Logic) (IMAJAGAG), End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Bespoke manufacturing solutions
• Robotic integration services
• CNC tube bending machinery
• Precision engineering components

Headquarters

HQ city

Lynmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Automation Systems: Design, build, and integration of bespoke automation systems for complex manufacturing environments. Revenue generated through project-based contracts ranging from standalone equipment to fully integrated production lines.
2. After-Sales Services: Servicing contracts, emergency breakdown support, spare parts supply, remote monitoring and diagnostics, and training packages provided throughout the equipment lifecycle.
3. Programme Management: Coordination of complex, multi-vendor automation projects across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and installation teams.
4. Controls & Machine Upgrades: Control system upgrades, retrofit projects, and machine improvements to extend equipment life and integrate modern control technologies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Applied Automation designs, manufactures, and integrates bespoke automation systems, control solutions, and precision-engineered components for industrial OEMs across life sciences, automotive, aerospace, defence, energy, consumer products, and marine sectors. The group operates multiple divisions offering end-to-end automation lifecycle support from feasibility studies and concept design through off-site build, validation, on-site commissioning, and lifetime aftercare.

Product overview

Applied Automation operates as a diversified industrial automation group comprising multiple specialist divisions offering complementary solutions. The core offering includes Engineering Solutions for bespoke automation systems and CAPPS software for CNC and metrology. Supporting divisions include MayTec Solutions (modular aluminium framing), Build To Print Solutions, Marine Solutions, Tube Technology, and Technical Distribution. Acquired brands PTG Precision Engineering and PTG Workholding provide precision components and workholding solutions, while T Masters & Son offers ingot casting machines, and CME Solutions serves the packaging needs of regulated industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Engineering Solutions: Delivering bespoke automation for high-precision industries, boosting productivity and efficiency for global OEMs.
• CME Solutions
• MayTec Solutions
• Build To Print Solutions
• Marine Solutions
• Tube Technology
• Technical Distribution
• T Masters & Son
• PTG Precision
• PTG Workholding

Products and services

• Engineering Solutions Bespoke automation systems ranging from standalone equipment to fully integrated production lines for high-precision industries including life sciences, medical, automotive, aerospace, defence, energy, and consumer products. Supports complete project lifecycle from feasibility studies through to on-site delivery and ongoing aftercare.
• CME Solutions Bespoke packaging systems built for compliance, efficiency, and reliability, specifically designed for the legal cannabis, tea, and tobacco industries.
• MayTec Solutions
• Build To Print Solutions
• Marine Solutions
• Tube Technology
• Technical Distribution
• T Masters & Son
• PTG Precision Engineering
• PTG Workholding
• CAPPS Advanced CNC and metrology software suite featuring laser scanning, chip detection, and process control capabilities for high-precision manufacturing sectors including aerospace and medical.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced onsite commissioning time through off-site system integration and validation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Boeing AutomationmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Appointed as Boeing Automation partner for the UK in 2016, providing automation solutions for aerospace applications.
• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Appointed as Universal Robot Partner in 2015, integrating collaborative robots into bespoke automation solutions.
• MayTec GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1994Appointed as National distributor for MayTec GmbH in 1994. MayTec provides modular aluminium framing systems. This partnership was expanded in 2025 with the formation of MayTec Solutions division in Bolton.
• Omron ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1991Appointed as Omron Electronics distributor in 1991, providing industrial control and automation components.
• SMC PneumaticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1986Appointed as SMC Pneumatics Distributor in 1986, supplying pneumatic components for automation systems.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ATS Corporation: Global automation solutions provider designing and building bespoke manufacturing systems for life sciences, food, energy, and aerospace customers — closest international analogue to Applied Automation's full-lifecycle integration model.
• Körber AG: German industrial group whose Packaging and Processing Automation businesses deliver bespoke line integration for regulated and consumer-goods customers, overlapping Applied Automation's CME Solutions packaging and Engineering Solutions factory-line work.
• Norwalt Automation: US-based bespoke automation integrator serving regulated industries including medical devices and pharmaceuticals — directly comparable in customer mix and project-based bespoke model.
• Mpac Group plc: UK-listed automation systems integrator of comparable size with strong focus on life sciences, medical devices, and FMCG end-of-line packaging — directly overlaps Applied Automation's regulated-industries bespoke automation model and similar revenue scale.
• Schubert Group: Specialist packaging automation integrator for FMCG, food, and cosmetics — comparable to CME Solutions and to Applied Automation's Consumer Products & End-of-Line Automation segment in scope, customer profile, and bespoke integration approach.

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Global industrial automation incumbent offering PLCs, motion, and systems integration; its solution-provider ecosystem competes with Applied Automation's bespoke systems integrator role across life sciences and automotive.
• Bosch Rexroth: Large incumbent in factory automation, motion control, and control system integration with extensive portfolio that overlaps Applied Automation's assembly and motion-control projects but at much broader scope and scale.
• KUKA AG: Global robotics and automation systems integrator serving automotive, electronics, and consumer goods — overlaps Applied Automation's cobot and robotic line integration work while operating at much larger scale.
• Festo: Major pneumatics and automation components supplier with its own systems integration capability — directly comparable on components and adjacent on bespoke systems work, especially via the SMC and Omron distribution model Applied Automation operates.

Others

• Universal Robots: Cobot platform vendor and named Applied Automation partner since 2015; not a direct competitor but the underlying technology supplier whose enablement model (partner integrators deliver solutions on UR cobots) frames Applied Automation's bespoke cobot integration work.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights10 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/applied-automation
• Xx.com/applied_auto
• Facebookfacebook.com/appliedautomationukltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Applied Automation