Hi Tech Automation

What Hi Tech Automation does

Hi-Tech Automation Limited is a UK-based robotics and automation systems integrator specialising in injection moulding and plastics manufacturing. Founded in 1996 in Kettering by Gary Probert and Ricky Thompson — both with careers in industrial robotics dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s — the company has operated as FANUC UK's authorised plastics System Integrator partner since 2003. It designs, manufactures, and commissions automated cells that combine FANUC six-axis robots (LR Mate, M-10iA, M20iB) and Cartesian robots (CR-10) with injection moulding machines ranging from 50T to 350T, alongside Euromap interfaces, safety guarding, conveyors, and custom end-of-arm tooling sourced through its partnership with ASS Automation Systems. Its productised offering spans five standard cell sizes plus a Cartesian option and an Easy Cell Range aimed at plug-and-play deployment, supplemented by 3D simulation via FANUC ROBOGUIDE, used/refurbished robot resale, and ongoing installation, programming, and support services.

The company serves primarily UK plastics manufacturers, with visible customer wins in pharma and med-tech packaging (Nolato Jaycare), consumer eyewear and clean-room production (Eyejusters), trade moulding (Champion Mouldings), building products (Ecotile, Timloc/Alumasc), and automotive adjacencies. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of standard and bespoke cells, professional services, and resale of used robots — all on a quote-based, direct-engagement model with no e-commerce or self-service channel. Distribution is sales-led and concentrated domestically, augmented by joint marketing with FANUC at industry exhibitions (Interplas) and through trade press, LinkedIn, and YouTube channels. In 2023, the founders transitioned the company to an Employee Ownership Trust, retaining their Managing Director roles while securing succession; the EOT now holds the controlling interest on behalf of employees. The company has won industry recognition in 2016 (Plastics Awards) and 2024 (Plastic Industry Awards Supplier Partnership – Injection Moulding) and reports outcome metrics including 30% capacity uplift, 30% reject-rate reduction, sub-0.35s take-out times, and four-week installations on standard cells.

Name

Hi Tech Automation

Legal name

Hi-Tech Automation Limited

Website

https://hitechautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hi-Tech Automation is a UK-based robotics systems integrator founded in 1996 that designs, builds, and commissions FANUC robot cells for plastics injection moulding manufacturers, serving enterprise and mid-market customers across pharma, consumer goods, and building products with standard and bespoke automation solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Robotics System Integration

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Robotics system integration
• Injection moulding automation
• Plastic manufacturing automation
• Automated production cells
• Machine tending robots

Headquarters

HQ city

Kettering

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Systems and Cells: Sale of standard and bespoke automated injection moulding cells incorporating FANUC robots, conveyors, guarding and EOAT. Cells are built and tested off-site with full CE certification.
2. Used Robots: Resale of pre-owned FANUC robots with warranty and optional installation, programming and support services.
3. Installation, Programming and Support: Professional services including robot installation, programming, 3D simulation, offline programming, and ongoing technical support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hi-Tech Automation designs, manufactures and integrates robotic automation systems and cells for plastic injection moulding manufacturers. The core portfolio comprises five standard automation cell sizes (Cell Size 1–5) tailored to FANUC injection moulding machines from 50T to 350T, plus a Cartesian option, alongside bespoke cell builds integrating FANUC robots with custom EOAT, conveyors, Euromap interfaces and safety guarding. The company also sells pre-owned FANUC robots and provides installation, programming, 3D simulation and ongoing support services.

Product overview

Hi-Tech Automation is a robotics and automation system integrator specializing in the plastics sector. The company offers a portfolio of Standard Automation Cells in five sizes (Cell Size 1-5) designed for different injection moulding machine tonnages (50T to 350T), plus a Cartesian Option. These cells integrate FANUC robots (LR Mate, M-10iA, M20iB, CR-10) with Euromap interfaces and safety guarding. The Easy Cell Range provides plug-and-play automation combining ROBOSHOT injection moulding machines with robot cells. Additional offerings include used robots, EOAT/grippers through ASS Automation Systems partnership, and 3D simulation services using FANUC Roboguide. The company operates as a FANUC system integrator partner since 2003.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Automation Cell Size 1 (50T Cell) Standard automation cell configured for FANUC α-S50iA 50-tonne injection moulding machines, featuring a FANUC LR Mate 200iD/4S-30B-M-PL robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software, Euromap 67/73 interfaces, and interlocked safety guarding. Designed for plastics manufacturers entering automation.
• Standard Automation Cell Size 2 (100T Cell) Standard automation cell configured for FANUC α-S100iA 100-tonne injection moulding machines, featuring a FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L-30B-M-PL robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software. Targets plastics manufacturers scaling up from entry-level automation.
• Standard Automation Cell Size 3 (150T Cell) Standard automation cell configured for FANUC α-S150iA 150-tonne injection moulding machines, featuring a FANUC M-10iA/12-30B-M-PL robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software. Mid-range cell for higher-volume plastics production.
• Standard Automation Cell Size 4 (200-350T Cell) Standard automation cell configured for FANUC α-S220-300iA injection moulding machines (200-350T range), featuring a FANUC M10iA8L-30B-A-PN robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software. Designed for high-tonnage plastics production lines.
• Standard Automation Cell Size 5 Standard automation cell featuring a FANUC M20iB25C robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software, Euromap 67 interface, and IMM guard extensions. Highest-capacity cell in the standard range for large-tonnage injection moulding applications.
• Standard Automation Cartesian Option (150T Cell) Cartesian robot option for the FANUC α-S150iA 150T cell, featuring a FANUC CR-10 Cartesian robot with Ethernet IP and PMC software. Alternative to six-axis robots for applications requiring linear motion handling.
• Easy Cell Range Plug-and-play automation machines combining FANUC ROBOSHOT injection moulding machines with robot cells, including LR Mate Easy cell, CAR20 Cartesian robot and M10 long-arm robots in small-footprint configurations for plastics manufacturers seeking pre-configured entry-level automation.
• Used FANUC Robots Pre-owned and refurbished FANUC robots including LR Mate 200iD/7L, M20iA R30iB and M710iC R30iB models, sold with warranty and optional installation, programming and support services. Pricing available on request.
• 3D Simulation Services 3D simulation service using FANUC ROBOGUIDE software to design, model and create production cell layouts virtually before equipment is ordered or manufactured. Enables cycle-time evaluation and offline robot programme generation for plastics manufacturers planning automation investments.
• Installation, Programming and Support Services Professional services covering robot installation, programming, offline programming, and ongoing technical support for automation cells and used FANUC robots. Offered on request alongside cell and robot sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% capacity increase at Champion Mouldings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FANUC UKcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2003Long-standing strategic partnership as FANUC's plastics system integrator (SI) partner since 2003, providing over 15 years of collaboration. Hi-Tech Automation specifies FANUC's ROBOSHOT all-electric injection moulding machines and industrial robots in their automation cells. FANUC provides training for up to 30 Hi-Tech employees annually, covering product portfolio, vision, safety (DCS software), and simulation (ROBOGUIDE).
• ASS Automation SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for gripper components, robot hands (EOAT), and automation systems. Founded in 1983, Overath-based company with around 100 employees. DIN ISO 9001:2008 certified. Products include PA-Forming, FRP handling, vision systems for injection moulding and automotive sectors.
• Hawsons Corporate FinancecoreOthersAdvised on and facilitated the company's transition to Employee Ownership Trust in 2023, providing tax-efficient succession planning solution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX_gfllgq1hJcn3VAy1X1Jg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hi-tech-automation-ltd

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 Hi Tech Automation