Control Technology
Control Technology Corporation (CTC) is a privately held U.S. industrial automation firm, founded in 1975 and based in Hopkinton, MA, that designs and sells programmable automation controllers (PACs), PC-based control software, and industrial touchscreens primarily for high-technology manufacturers requiring EtherCAT-based motion and I/O integration.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersHopkinton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Control Technology does
Control Technology Corporation (CTC) is a privately held U.S. industrial automation company founded in 1975 and headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. It designs and sells programmable automation controllers (PACs), PC-based control software, and human-machine interface (HMI) products for industrial automation customers, with a stated focus on high-technology manufacturers that require advanced motion, I/O, and integration capabilities. The company sells primarily to enterprise customers via direct phone-based sales (888.818.2600) with dedicated technical support.
CTC's product portfolio spans both hardware and software. On the hardware side, the 5000 series PACs (Model 5100, 5200, 5300) support up to 512 I/O points with integrated Ethernet, EtherCAT, and Modbus TCP, while the Model 2700 serves high I/O-count applications. The HMI lineup includes the 4400 Series, 5000 Series, and the newer iPanel Series of ruggedized touchscreens. On the software side, CTC's QuickBuilder and Quickstep 3.0 provide automation programming — Quickstep is based on a proprietary State Language derived from Petri Net theory, pioneered by CTC in the late 1970s and predating IEC 1131-3 standardization. The Incentive family extends CTC into PC-based control: IncentivePLC includes a software-based EtherCAT master and RTOS for multi-core CPUs; IncentiveECAT provides dedicated EtherCAT master control; and IncentiveAPI exposes the platform to C#, C++, VB.Net (and Python example code) for MES, vision system, and custom integration work.
Revenue is generated through direct hardware sales of PACs and touchscreens and through perpetual (one-time) software licenses for QuickBuilder, Quickstep, CTCopc OPC server, and the Incentive family. Trial downloads (30 days for QuickBuilder, 3 days for Quickstep) support a self-serve product-led growth motion at the software layer, while enterprise PAC sales are field-led. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or named customer logos are disclosed; the company operates only in North America with 11–50 employees and is led by Chairman and cofounder Ken Crater, a recognized Fellow of the Industrial Computing Society for advances in machine automation and state language control.
Control Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Control Technology
- Legal name
- Control Technology Corporation
- Website
- https://controltechnologycorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Control Technology Corporation (CTC) is a privately held U.S. industrial automation firm, founded in 1975 and based in Hopkinton, MA, that designs and sells programmable automation controllers (PACs), PC-based control software, and industrial touchscreens primarily for high-technology manufacturers requiring EtherCAT-based motion and I/O integration.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Control Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Controllers
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- PLC & PAC Hardware (IMAGABAA), Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)
Keywords
Where Control Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hopkinton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Control Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware PAC Sales: Sale of programmable automation controllers including 5000 series (5100, 5200, 5300) and Model 2700 with I/O module support
- Software Licensing: Licensing of QuickBuilder, Quickstep, IncentivePLC, IncentiveECAT and other software products. Trial versions available for 30 days (QuickBuilder) and 3 days (Quickstep).
- OPC Server Software: CTCopc OPC server software must be purchased to receive installation password
- Touchscreen Products: Sales of 4400 series and 5000 series touchscreens, iPanel series with various screen sizes
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | QuickBuilder trial version |
| Freemium | Annual | Quickstep 3.0 trial version |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | CTCopc OPC Server |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Control Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Control Technology Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) and PC-based automation control software. Its portfolio includes the 5000 series PACs (Model 5100, 5200, 5300) and Model 2700 with up to 512 I/O points, the Incentive software suite (IncentivePLC, IncentiveECAT, IncentiveAPI) for PC-based control and custom coding, the QuickBuilder and Quickstep programming environments based on proprietary state language, and a line of industrial touchscreens (4400, 5000, and iPanel series).
Product overview
Control Technology Corporation provides a comprehensive automation control portfolio spanning hardware Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) and PC-based control software. The core hardware offerings include the 5000 series PACs (Model 5300, 5200, 5100) with capacities up to 512 I/O points, plus the Model 2700 for high I/O applications. The software suite centers on the Incentive product line: IncentivePLC for PC-based control with built-in EtherCAT master, IncentiveECAT for dedicated EtherCAT control, and IncentiveAPI for custom development in C#, C++, and VB.Net. Supporting software includes QuickBuilder for 5300 controller programming and Quickstep 3.0 featuring proprietary State Language based on Petri Net theory. Human-machine interface options include 4400 Series, 5000 Series touchscreens, and the premium iPanel Series with IP65 ratings. Utilities include EasyBuilder Pro/4300/4200 for touchscreen development, CTC Monitor for system monitoring, CTCopc for OPC connectivity, and CT webHMI for browser-based HMI access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IncentivePLC: PC-Based Automation Control software suite
- IncentiveECAT
- IncentiveAPI
- QuickBuilder
- Quickstep
- CT webHMI
- CTCopc
Products and services
- Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs)
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced development time through flowchart-like program structure matching machine operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Control Technology
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Control Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature7 records
Control Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Control Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Siemens: Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 PCs (ET 200) and TIA Portal compete with CTC's high-end PAC and PC-control offering, serving the same high-tech manufacturing customers but with a much broader portfolio.
- Schneider Electric: Schneider's Modicon M340/M580 PACs and EcoStruxure control tooling compete with CTC's PAC line, while Modicon's heritage and Unity/EcoStruxure ecosystems parallel CTC's QuickBuilder/Quickstep programming environment.
- Rockwell Automation: Rockwell (Allen-Bradley CompactLogix/ControlLogix) is the dominant US PAC/PLC incumbent; it shares CTC's US geographic focus and EtherCAT-adjacent integration story but at vastly greater scale.
- Mitsubishi Electric: Mitsubishi's MELSEC iQ-R series of modular PACs with motion and EtherCAT-style networking targets the same high-I/O, motion-heavy applications as CTC's Model 2700/5000 series.
Emerging players
- Advantech: Advantech's industrial IoT controllers and PC-based automation gateways overlap with CTC's PC-based motion/I/O vision, particularly for EtherCAT and OPC-connected machine integration scenarios.
Direct peers
- Wago: Wago's PFC200 family and e!COCKPIT tooling are PACs with PC-style programmability and open-protocol (Modbus TCP, EtherCAT) support, targeting the same PLC-to-PAC migration use case as CTC's 5000 series.
- B&R Industrial Automation (ABB): B&R's Automation PC and PC-based control offering competes head-on with CTC's PC-based motion/I/O pitch; now part of ABB Machine Automation, it targets the same PC-based control + open fieldbus applications as CTC's Incentive suite.
- Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact's PLCnext controllers combine IEC 61131-3 with high-level languages and open protocols (EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, OPC UA), directly overlapping CTC's programmable, multi-protocol PAC positioning.
- Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff is the most direct comparator: PC-based control (TwinCAT), EtherCAT-based motion control, and a closely overlapping developer-centric API story — directly competes with CTC's IncentivePLC, IncentiveECAT, and IncentiveAPI stack.
- IDEC: IDEC's FC6A and MicroSmartPlus PLC/PACs serve small-to-midsize OEMs with open-protocol networking — a closer fit to CTC's scale and mid-market motion/automation use cases than the mega-vendors.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Control Technology social profiles
Digital presenceControl Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Control Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Control Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Control Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Control Technology 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 Control Technology
What does Control Technology do?
Control Technology Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) and PC-based automation control software. Its portfolio includes the 5000 series PACs (Model 5100, 5200, 5300) and Model 2700 with up to 512 I/O points, the Incentive software suite (IncentivePLC, IncentiveECAT, IncentiveAPI) for PC-based control and custom coding, the QuickBuilder and Quickstep programming environments based on proprietary state language, and a line of industrial touchscreens (4400, 5000, and iPanel series).
Is Control Technology a public or private company?
Control Technology is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Control Technology founded?
Control Technology was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Control Technology based?
Control Technology is headquartered in Hopkinton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Control Technology make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware PAC Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing, OPC Server Software and touchscreen Products.
Who are Control Technology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation and Mitsubishi Electric. Advantech is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Wago, B&R Industrial Automation (ABB), Phoenix Contact, Beckhoff Automation and IDEC.
Does Control Technology have an API?
Yes. IncentiveAPI provides a comprehensive interface for custom coding, enabling developers to connect their code to automation processes. It supports C#, C++, and VB.Net and allows connection of MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), vision systems, and other high-level systems to automation systems. The API interacts with the IncentiveECAT EtherCAT master controller or the IncentivePLC PC-based control system. The downloads page also provides example code packages for Visual Basic 6, VB.Net, C# (.NET) for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, and Python. Developer documentation is at controltechnologycorp.com/api.
What industry is Control Technology in?
Control Technology's product category is Industrial Automation Controllers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers), with a secondary code of IMAGABAA, PLC & PAC Hardware. Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3829.