TQC

What TQC does

TQC Ltd is a privately owned UK manufacturer of bespoke automatic test machines and automated assembly systems, headquartered in Nottingham. The company designs and builds turnkey systems combining mechanical, electrical, and software engineering in-house, covering function, performance, durability, and production testing across automotive, medical device, electrical/engineering, and industrial component manufacturers. Its core technology stack integrates PLC and PC-based control systems with HMI panels and statistical process control software, supporting specialised methodologies such as vacuum decay leak testing, differential pressure testing (sensitive to 0.0005% of test pressure), high-voltage flash testing to 3000V, and modular rotary and pallet-based assembly architectures capable of up to 400+ units per minute throughput.

The company sells exclusively through a direct sales-led B2B model with quote-based, project-specific pricing. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales of custom automated systems, supplemented by engineering design services and after-sales support. Customers include tier-1 automotive suppliers (notably Southco Manufacturing, which won a 2001 Management Today Best Factory Award using TQC equipment), electric motor manufacturers, medical device producers requiring GAMP 4 / FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, and industrial component makers. TQC maintains technology partnerships with Festo (handling and control components), Nolek (vacuum decay leak detection methodology), and is a member of the pan-European Assembly Net collaborative group. There are no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or external investors, and the firm operates as an independent, founder/management-controlled entity with 11-50 employees.

Name

TQC

Legal name

TQC Ltd

Website

https://testmachine.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TQC Ltd is a Nottingham-based manufacturer of bespoke automatic test machines and automated assembly systems, serving automotive, medical device, electrical, and industrial customers with turnkey, project-specific turnkey solutions built in-house.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Functional Testing Prototypes (Mechanical/Thermal/Fluidic) (IMAAAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Automated test equipment
• Special purpose machinery
• Assembly automation systems
• Leak testing machines
• Robotic assembly cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automated Test Machines and Systems: Design, manufacture, and supply of bespoke automated test machines and special purpose machinery. Projects are custom-built to customer specifications with complete turnkey solutions including assembly and test capabilities.
2. Engineering Design and Development Services: In-house engineering services covering electrical, mechanical, and software design together with project development and manufacture. Includes after-sales support, maintenance information, and service support.
3. Assembly Automation Equipment: Rotary indexing assembly machines, pallet-based systems, robot cells, and integrated production lines for automated manufacturing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TQC designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke automated test machines and special-purpose assembly systems for industrial manufacturers. Each system is a custom turnkey build covering function, performance, durability, and production testing, complemented by assembly automation (rotary indexing, pallet-based, robotic cells) and leak detection. All electrical, mechanical, and software design is performed in-house at the Nottingham facility, with projects delivered complete from concept through installation and after-sales support.

Product overview

TQC provides a comprehensive portfolio of specialized automated test machines and assembly systems. The core offering comprises Automatic Test Machines for function, performance, durability, and production testing. These are complemented by specific testing modules including Electrical Testing Systems, Stator Winding Test Machines, Electric Motor Test Equipment, Hydraulic Testing Systems, and Process Resistance Measurement units. For assembly automation, TQC offers Robot Systems & Robot Cells, Rotary Assembly & Test Systems, Pallet Based Assembly Systems for both plastic and metal parts, Automatic Adhesive Dispensing Systems, and Special Purpose Machines. Leak Testing capabilities round out the portfolio with High Speed Leak Testing Systems and Leak Detection Systems. The company combines extensive experience with a modular approach, integrating PLC and PC control systems with sophisticated statistical process control for real-time monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automatic Test Machines Specialised custom-built test machines for function testing, performance testing, durability testing, and production testing across automotive, engineering, electrical, and other industries, delivered as turnkey systems with PC-based control and data analysis for pass/fail decisions.
• Electrical Testing Systems Electrical test equipment for resistance, voltage, current, power, frequency, inductance, and capacitance measurements used for quality assurance testing of motors, sensors, harnesses, windings, and other electrical components.
• Stator Winding Test Machines Automated PC-based testing systems for electric motor stator windings featuring menu-selectable part numbers, programmable test limits, resistance and inductance measurement, flash tests up to 3000V, field rotation checking, results printing, and software calibration.
• Electric Motor Test Equipment Test systems for AC and DC motors with on-load and off-load testing capabilities using rope brakes, particle clutches, fluid or electric dynamometers for performance verification.
• Hydraulic Testing Systems Burst test machines, compressor testing units, and pressure testing systems for gas cylinders and pressure vessels, supporting pressures up to 1000 bar with throughput up to 180 cylinders per hour.
• Process Resistance Measurement Systems Resistance measurement units for verifying component resistance values in assemblies including speed sensors, injector harnesses, windings, and motors.
• Special Purpose Machines Bespoke automated equipment including leak testing, function testing, automated production lines, handling systems, and robotic assembly systems built to individual customer specifications.
• Robot Systems and Robot Cells Integrated robot automation including SCARA robots, Cartesian robots, and gantry systems for automotive parts, ceramic component transfer, and high-speed precision automation such as producing a complete small electrical handset every 12 seconds.
• Rotary Assembly and Test Systems Rotary indexing carousel-based assembly machines supporting semi and fully automatic operation with continuous-motion throughputs of up to 400 units per minute for automotive and medical device assembly applications.
• Pallet Based Assembly Systems (Plastic Parts) Automated pallet transfer assembly systems for plastic components featuring vibratory bowl feeding, PLC control, and integrated function testing, used for automotive latch mechanisms such as glove box latches.
• Pallet Based Assembly Systems (Metal Parts) Twin-track flexlink conveyor assembly and test machines for metal pressings including automated rivet assembly, greasing stations, and function testing stations.
• Automatic Adhesive Dispensing Systems Multi-axis adhesive dispensing machines for applying sealants and inserting core plugs with two-part mixing capabilities and precise dosing control.
• High Speed Leak Testing Systems Vacuum decay leak test systems delivering high throughput for welded metal T-pieces used in water, gas, and construction industries, with Festo-supplied guided and rodless cylinders and CPVT valve terminals for fast cycle rates.
• Leak Detection Systems Comprehensive leak testing solutions covering bubble observation, chemical trace, gas sniffing, ultrasonic testing, pressure measurement, and gas trace methods using helium or hydrogen for industrial manufacturers.
• Automated Production Lines Complete turnkey production line systems integrating PLC and PC control, statistical process control, and real-time monitoring for automotive and manufacturing applications, delivering 100% product validation and full MIS facilities for production recording.

Quantifiable outcome

• Throughputs of 400+ units per minute achievable with continuous motion rotary assembly systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

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 and minor.

• FestocoreTechnology or IntegrationFesto contributed handling and control expertise to TQC's high-speed leak testing system project. Festo provided guided and rodless cylinders controlled by CPVT valve terminals for fast movements and cycle rates. Both companies are members of Assembly Net organization.
• Assembly NetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-European collaborative group focused on establishing coordinated infrastructure for exchanging latest developments in Assembly System Application and Design. Both TQC and Festo are members.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RNA Automation: UK-based specialist in automated assembly systems and component feeding technology. Comparable to TQC in geography and assembly automation focus, with overlapping customer base in UK industrial manufacturing.
• Cincinnati Test Systems: US-based manufacturer of leak test instruments and integrated leak testing systems. Competes directly with TQC in vacuum decay and differential pressure leak detection technologies.
• JR Automation: US-based custom automation integrator (now part of Hitachi) delivering turnkey automated assembly and test systems for industrial customers. Directly comparable to TQC in solution type and customer profile, but at much greater scale.
• ATEQ: Global manufacturer of leak testing equipment including pressure decay and vacuum decay instruments. Direct competitor to TQC's high-speed leak testing systems product line used across automotive and industrial applications.
• ATS Corporation: Canadian-based global provider of custom automated manufacturing and test systems. Closely comparable to TQC's bespoke assembly and test machine business model, though at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Broad incumbents

• Marposs: Italian-based global supplier of measurement, inspection, and test equipment for manufacturing. Overlaps with TQC's industrial test and measurement offering but with a much broader product portfolio and global footprint.
• KUKA Systems: German-headquartered global automation and robotics supplier offering custom assembly and test cells. Overlaps with TQC's automated assembly and robotic cell offerings but as a much larger, multi-segment incumbent.
• INFICON: Global manufacturer of leak detection instruments and gas analysis equipment serving semiconductor, refrigeration, and industrial markets. Comparable to TQC in leak detection capability but operates as a broader instrumentation incumbent rather than custom integrator.
• Bürkert: German manufacturer of fluid control systems, sensors, and measurement instrumentation. Comparable to TQC in industrial measurement and process control, though Bürkert is a much larger incumbent with a global footprint.
• testo: German-based global manufacturer of measurement and testing instruments across industrial, HVAC, and food applications. Comparable to TQC's measurement and test equipment product lines, though testo operates as a broader instrumentation incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tqc-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 TQC