What Holloway Control Systems does

Holloway Control Systems (trading as MotionTech Software & Controls) is a UK-based industrial automation specialist headquartered in Telford, England, with a heritage dating to 1969. The company delivers turnkey automation projects spanning PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, robot systems integration, electrical design and installation, bespoke control-panel manufacture, and custom machinery build, supported by two UK branches and a workforce of 11–50 employees. Its customer roster includes major automotive and food manufacturers (JLR, Bentley, BMW, Kellogg's, McCain, GKN), and the firm cites 300+ installed systems with 35% growth in the past 12 months and 14 international installations.

Beyond traditional systems integration, Holloway has built two proprietary software platforms: HELIX, a warehouse control system that interfaces with customer WMS/ERP via APIs and message queuing to orchestrate AGVs/AMRs, pick systems, sorters, and carrier dispatch tools; and SENTINEL, an AI-powered industrial monitoring product combining edge sensor hardware with cloud analytics for predictive maintenance, including stated generative AI use cases such as virtual twins and synthetic data generation. The business model is primarily enterprise field sales with quote-based bespoke project pricing, supplemented by what appears to be an emerging subscription/recurring software licensing layer via HELIX and SENTINEL, plus hardware revenue from in-house manufactured control panels and bespoke machinery. Distribution is direct, with no online self-service; the company markets through industry content, chamber membership, and direct customer engagement.

Operationally, Holloway runs a multi-year apprenticeship programme producing one level-5 (or higher) graduate per year, holds Cyber Essentials Plus, CE marking capability, EN13849 functional safety training (via SICK), and Siemens TIA Portal certification, and is privately held under Managing Director James Coleyshaw with no disclosed external investors. No revenue is publicly reported; the company self-describes as a profitable growth-stage SME expanding its platform-software footprint on top of its established integrator services base.

Name

Holloway Control Systems

Legal name

Holloway Control Systems Ltd

Website

https://hollowaycontrols.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Holloway Control Systems (trading as MotionTech Software & Controls) is a Telford, UK-based industrial automation specialist delivering turnkey PLC, SCADA, robotic integration, electrical, and bespoke machinery solutions, plus proprietary HELIX warehouse control and SENTINEL AI monitoring platforms, to enterprise customers in automotive, food, and manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Engineering

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• PLC programming
• Robotic systems integration
• Warehouse control systems
• Electrical design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Telford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Engineering Services: Professional services including PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, robot programming, electrical design, and commissioning services. Provided as turnkey solutions for industrial automation projects.
2. Control Panel Manufacturing: Manufacturing and sale of bespoke control panels and enclosures. High quality floor standing enclosures in any size or material, incorporating PLC systems, variable speed drives, HMI touch screens and general control gear.
3. Bespoke Machine Manufacture: Design, manufacture and commissioning of specialist bespoke machinery for production environments. Machines manufactured in-house with full warranty, service package, CE marking, and pre-installation testing.
4. Electrical Installation Services: Complete electrical installation and systems commissioning services across the UK and internationally. Includes breakdown and maintenance services.
5. Software Platform Licensing: HELIX warehouse control system and WMS platform offerings, deployable alongside standard systems or in isolation. Potential recurring software licensing model.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Holloway Control Systems (trading as MotionTech Software & Controls) is an industrial automation specialist that delivers turnkey engineering services, including PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, robot systems integration, electrical installation and design, and bespoke automation machine building. The company complements these services with two proprietary software platforms: HELIX, a warehouse control system that interfaces with WMS/ERP and orchestrates automated warehouse operations, and SENTINEL, an AI-powered smart industrial monitoring system that uses sensor data and predictive analytics to detect machinery anomalies before failure.

Product overview

Holloway Control Systems (trading as MotionTech Software & Controls) is a leading Industrial Automation specialist offering a portfolio of proprietary software products and engineering services. The core product portfolio includes Sentinel (AI-powered industrial monitoring system) and HELIX (warehouse control system), complemented by comprehensive engineering services including PLC Programming, Control Panels, HMI Development, SCADA Systems, Robot Systems Integration, Electrical Installation, Electrical Design, and Bespoke Machine Building. The company operates on a platform-plus-services model, with HELIX and Sentinel as software platforms that integrate with customer WMS/ERP systems, supported by turnkey automation engineering services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sentinel: AI-powered smart industrial monitoring system that captures real-time data from machines using sensors including 3-axis vibration detection, temperature monitoring, magnetic field tracking, and acoustic signature analysis. Provides comprehensive machinery health insights and early warning signs of potential failures.
• HELIX

Products and services

• HELIX Warehouse Control System Proprietary warehouse control system (WCS) that streamlines and coordinates automated warehouse operations, providing real-time decision-making and precise control across equipment, processes, and software systems. Interfaces with WMS and ERP platforms via APIs and message queuing, and supports AGVs/AMRs, pick systems, sorters, and carrier dispatch tools.
• SENTINEL Smart Industrial Monitoring AI-powered smart industrial monitoring system using advanced sensor arrays (3-axis vibration, temperature, magnetic field, acoustic signature) to capture machinery performance data. Sentinel Cloud applies AI algorithms to detect early warning signs of equipment failure and provide predictive maintenance insights.
• PLC Programming Complete PLC programming solutions for any control system, including modifications to existing systems and bespoke programming for new systems using industry-leading hardware manufacturers.
• Control Panels Bespoke floor-standing enclosures in any size or material, built to suit any control system or environment, incorporating PLC systems, variable speed drives, HMI touch screens, and general control gear.
• HMI Development Bespoke screen design services for Human Machine Interface (HMI) touch screens and Industrial PC SCADA Systems, tailored to individual client requirements and applications.
• SCADA Systems Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system design and development for industrial automation applications.
• Robot Systems Integration In-house robot cell development with live simulation and 3D graphics as part of turnkey automation solutions.
• Electrical Installation & Commissioning Complete electrical installation and systems commissioning services across the UK and internationally, with designated on-site supervisors and breakdown/maintenance services.
• Electrical & Mechanical Design Full set of electrical and mechanical design drawings for any control panel or electrical control system, produced on CAD systems in dxf/dwg/pdf formats.
• Bespoke Automation Machine Building Design, manufacture, and commissioning of specialist bespoke machinery. All machines manufactured in-house at the Telford workshop with full warranty, CE marking, and pre-installation testing.
• 3D Printing Services 3D printing service using Ultimaker printers, capable of printing in PLA, ABS, Glass fibre, and Tough PLA materials, used for robot end-of-arm tooling and bespoke parts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most automation systems achieve ROI within 5-7 years, with many seeing return within a shorter period
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SICK Sensor IntelligenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024SICK provided functional safety training course with SISTEMA use to Holloway Control Systems team. Training covered EN13849 control system safety standards, ensuring team compliance with latest safety levels for machinery design and integration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation: Global supplier of industrial robots and automation solutions including robot system integration services; directly comparable to Holloway's robot systems integration line and overlaps in automotive/food end markets.
• Honeywell Process Solutions: Industrial process control and SCADA vendor serving discrete and process manufacturers; overlaps Holloway's SCADA systems and food/processing vertical focus with much broader portfolio.
• KUKA Robotics: German-headquartered industrial robot manufacturer and integrator serving automotive, food, and warehousing customers; comparable robot integration capability and end-market exposure to Holloway.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Dominant industrial automation platform provider (SIMATIC PLCs, TIA Portal — Holloway's certified environment) supplying the hardware/software Holloway integrates; competes for end-customer wallet share on larger projects.
• Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Major PLC, HMI, SCADA, and motion control vendor with system integrator partner network; overlaps Holloway's PLC/HMI/SCADA scope at a much larger scale and represents a potential technology partner/competitor.
• Rockwell Automation: Major PLC, motion, and industrial software provider with integrator ecosystem; comparable to Holloway's PLC programming and control panel scope while operating at substantially greater scale.
• Emerson Automation Solutions: Industrial process control, instrumentation, and software vendor comparable to Holloway's SENTINEL condition monitoring and SCADA offerings but at a much larger enterprise scale.

Regional players

• WAGO Kontakttechnik: German-headquartered automation and interconnection specialist serving European industrial customers with control, I/O, and software solutions; comparable UK/EU regional footprint and PLC-adjacent technology base.
• Eurotherm by Watlow: UK-based industrial process control and instrumentation manufacturer focused on temperature/power control — overlaps Holloway's process automation work in food, plastics, and metal processing verticals across the UK/Europe.

Direct peers

• ATS Automation Tooling Systems: Global custom automation systems integrator building turnkey production lines for automotive, food, and industrial customers; directly comparable in business model to Holloway's bespoke machine building and controls integration services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HollowayControlSystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/holloway-control-systems-limited/?viewAsMember=true

Compliance2 records

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 Holloway Control Systems