Live Automation Company

What Live Automation Company does

Live Automation Company (legal entity Live Automation, LLC; DBA "LIVE," formerly "The PLC Guys") is an industrial automation systems integrator and custom machinery builder headquartered at 106 Pratts Junction Rd, Sterling, Massachusetts. Founded in 2002 by Mike Barone, the firm delivers PLC programming, HMI/SCADA system design and integration, controls retrofits and migrations, and custom automation equipment across a broad set of manufacturing verticals. Its proprietary 4D Process methodology (Discovery, Development, Deployment, Delivery) and a "SCAR TISSUE" troubleshooting approach for legacy control systems are positioned to extend equipment life for installed bases running Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, GE, Schneider, Fuji/Monitouch, Ignition, Wonderware and other platforms.

The company operates four core product lines: Custom Automation Equipment (notably a catalog of USA-manufactured medical textile machines such as suture tipping/cutting, reel-to-reel rewind, hot stretch, bobbin winders, braiders, diameter testing, electrospinning and calendar machines), Automation Solutions PLC & HMI, Automation Software SCADA, and Parts for Automation. Supporting service lines include Automation Skunkworks R&D, Consulting & Platform Integration, Retrofitting/Upgrading/Migration, OEE optimization, and 24/7 Field Service & Maintenance. Its technology stack includes in-house 3D printing (Markforged composite printers), CNC machining (Haas mills, Trak lathe), and remote support via industrial remote access routers.

The business model combines custom automation hardware sales (project-based), control-systems integration professional services billed on a Time & Materials basis, automation parts/hardware resale, recurring annual support plans, and pre-paid block-time service contracts. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting North American manufacturers via direct quote, service request and PLC analysis forms, supported by a content marketing engine (LIVE Wire blog, Rockwell Automation Fair presence, LinkedIn, email newsletter). Approximately 75% of revenue comes from repeat customers, with named enterprise clients including Teknor Apex, Munters, Rochester Electronics and Bausch & Lomb across plastics, HVAC, electronics/semiconductors, and medical/healthcare verticals. In early 2024, Live Automation became the founding portfolio company of the ONDEX Automation platform backed by Shore Capital Partners (~3.4 billion USD committed capital), joining an alliance network that includes Automation & Control Inc (ACI), NeoMatrix Inc, Vision and Control Systems (VCS) and PlantOps Consulting to extend capability surface across robotics, MES, vision integration and enhanced support. Geographic service coverage is centered on the Northeast US (MA, RI, NH, NY, CT, NJ, VT, ME, PA) with national and remote-support reach.

Name

Live Automation Company

Legal name

Live Automation, LLC

Website

https://liveautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Live Automation Company is a Sterling, Massachusetts-based industrial automation systems integrator and custom machinery builder, founded in 2002, delivering PLC/HMI/SCADA programming, controls retrofits, and USA-made custom automation equipment (including medical textile machines) to North American manufacturers across plastics, medical, food & beverage and process industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation System Integration

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

SCADA/HMI Platforms (IMAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

Keywords

• Industrial automation integration
• PLC programming services
• SCADA system integration
• Custom automation equipment
• Control systems integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Sterling

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Equipment Sales: Design, engineering, manufacturing and sale of custom automation machines including medical textile equipment, assembly equipment, spoolers, winders, braiders, test equipment, and material handling systems.
2. Control Systems Integration Services: PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming and integration services for industrial automation. Includes consulting, platform integration, and system migrations.
3. Automation Parts Sales: Direct supply of off-the-shelf replacements, customized parts, and factory reconditioned components for PLCs, safety systems, vision systems, HMIs, and mechanical/electrical components.
4. Field Service and Support: On-demand support services, remote support, and field services billed on Time & Materials (T&M) basis. Also available as annual support plans or block time purchases.
5. Annual Support Plans: Annual support contracts that provide ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and priority response services to cut down on cost and response time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Live Automation Company designs, engineers, manufactures, and integrates custom industrial automation equipment (including medical textile machines), and provides PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming, system integration, and migration services across all major control platforms. It also supplies industrial automation parts and offers 24/7 field service, retrofitting, OEE optimization, and consulting support to manufacturers throughout North America.

Product overview

Live Automation Company offers a portfolio of industrial automation products and services organized around four core offerings: Custom Automation Equipment (specializing in medical textile machines such as suture tipping/cutting, rewind, braiding, and testing equipment), Automation Solutions PLC & HMI (programming and integration across major PLC platforms), Automation Software SCADA (system design and monitoring), and Parts for Automation (component supply). Supporting services include Skunkworks R&D, Consulting & Platform Integration, Retrofitting/Upgrading/Migration, OEE optimization, and Field Service & Maintenance. The company operates as a platform-agnostic systems integrator supporting Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, GE, Schneider, and Fuji/Monitouch platforms among others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Automation Equipment Design, engineering, manufacturing, and retrofitting of custom automation machines for complex industrial processes, ranging from simple to highly complex solutions for manufacturers in multiple industries.
• Medical Textile Machines Specialized automation equipment designed and manufactured in the USA for medical textile manufacturing, with configurable features such as heat tipping, cyanoacrylate tipping, round/flat detection, and necking technology options.
• Automation Solutions PLC & HMI PLC programming and HMI system design, integration, and support services for manufacturers across Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, Schneider/Modicon, GE, Automation Direct, and Fuji/Monitouch platforms.
• Automation Software SCADA SCADA system design, installation, and monitoring services across platforms including Ignition by Inductive Automation, Rockwell Software FactoryView, AVEVA/Wonderware, GE Cimplicity/Proficy/Intellution, Siemens WinCC, Indusoft, and Iconics.
• Parts for Automation Direct supply of off-the-shelf replacements, customized parts, and factory reconditioned components for PLCs, safety systems, vision systems, HMIs, and mechanical/electrical components from multiple manufacturers.
• Automation Skunkworks R&D Research, prototype, and concept development services for new product ideas and process automation solutions, including 3D printing (Markforged composite printers with Nylon, Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, Fiberglass materials) and CNC machining (Haas CNC Mills, Trak CNC Lathe, Mini Mill, and manual machines).
• Consulting & Platform Integration Control system integration consulting services including project design, detailed schematics, platform configuration, and startup/commissioning support for industrial automation projects.
• Retrofitting, Upgrading, Migration Modernization services for industrial control systems including component upgrades, system upgrades, and cross-migration to newer technology platforms to address legacy obsolescence.
• OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness Manufacturing productivity measurement and optimization services leveraging Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculations to identify and improve availability, performance, and quality factors for industrial operations.
• Field Service & Maintenance On-demand support, remote support, and field services for troubleshooting control system issues, PLC programming, and equipment maintenance, available 24/7 and offered as Time & Materials billing, block time purchases, or annual support plans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Emergency line recovery in 15 minutes for high-speed production line
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration30 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• ONDEX AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Live Automation became the first business to join the ONDEX Automation platform in early 2024 through a strategic partnership with Shore Capital Partners. ONDEX is an ecosystem designed to accelerate growth, streamline collaboration, and unlock smarter, more scalable solutions across the industrial automation industry.
• ONDEX Alliance NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance network including Automation & Control Inc (ACI), NeoMatrix Inc, Vision and Control Systems (VCS), and PlantOps Consulting. Expands capabilities across process & control system integration, robotics & machine automation, SCADA & MES enablement, and enhanced services & support.
• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for PLC and control systems integration. Live Automation works on Rockwell platforms including SLC150, SLC500, PLC-2, PLC-5, CompactLogix, Contrologix, and PanelView/PanelView Plus HMIs.
• Ignition by Inductive AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for SCADA systems and HMI solutions. Live Automation is a systems integrator/solution partner for Ignition platform.
• Fuji Electric / MonitouchcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing partnership for HMI solutions. Live Automation has deep expertise in Monitouch V-Series HMIs including V-Sft 6 and Smart Editor configuration software.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for PLC (S5, S7, TIA-Portal) and SCADA (WinCC) integration. Maintains software licenses and trained experts.
• MitsubishicoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for PLC controls (Q Series, F Series, L Series) integration.
• Schneider ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for Schneider/Modicon PLC controls integration.
• OmroncoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for Omron PLC controls (NX, NJ, CS, CJ) integration.
• Automation DirectcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for Automation Direct PLCs including Click, DirectLogic, Productivity, and Do-More platforms.
• GE Intelligent PlatformscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partnership for GE PLCs and SCADA systems (Cimplicity, Proficy, Intellution).
• Automation & Control Inc (ACI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONDEX alliance partner specializing in industrial electrical installations, custom control panel design and fabrication, and advanced automation engineering. Serves Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Chemicals, and Consumer Packaged Goods industries.
• NeoMatrix InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONDEX alliance partner helping manufacturers with plant automation systems, Digital Transformation strategies, and MES solutions. Serves Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Semiconductors, and Food and Beverage sectors.
• Vision and Control Systems (VCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONDEX alliance partner specializing in machine vision solutions with end-to-end expertise in vision system design, integration, and support. Serves food & beverage, medical device, and consumer goods industries.
• PlantOps ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONDEX alliance partner specializing in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementation for Life Sciences industries with decades of experience in Pharma, Biotech, and MedTech implementations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Integration Automation: Mid-sized systems integrator offering custom automated machinery, robotic integration, and controls engineering with similar project-based custom automation model serving industrial manufacturers.
• Wunderlich-Malec Engineering: National systems integrator offering PLC, SCADA, DCS, and MES integration services with similar platform-agnostic expertise and multi-industry reach, including manufacturing, power, and process industries.
• Patti Engineering: Control systems integrator specializing in PLC programming, SCADA, and motion control for industrial manufacturers, with similar focus on legacy system migration, retrofitting, and custom automation projects.
• Huffman Engineering: Mid-size control systems integrator providing PLC, SCADA, and MES solutions across life sciences, food & beverage, and discrete manufacturing—directly comparable in scale, services, and vertical focus.
• Advanced Automation Associates: Industrial automation integrator offering PLC, HMI, SCADA, and robotic integration services with similar regional field-service model and platform-agnostic approach to manufacturers.
• Automation & Control Inc (ACI): ONDEX alliance partner and direct peer providing industrial electrical installations, custom control panel design, and advanced automation engineering across Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Chemicals, and CPG—overlapping with Live Automation's service portfolio and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Panelmatic: Larger control panel builder and systems integrator serving industrial, utility, and transportation markets with custom automation and SCADA capabilities—overlapping at the custom equipment/control panel intersection.
• Avanceon: Larger publicly-listed systems integrator providing automation, control, and MES solutions across the Middle East, Pakistan, and North America—broader geographic reach with similar platform-based integration services.

Regional players

• SAGE Automation: Australia-based automation integrator with US operations providing PLC, SCADA, and robotics integration to mining, energy, water, and defense sectors—comparable services but primarily competing in Australia.

Emerging players

• Integro Technologies: Machine vision integrator and automation solutions provider with partial overlap in vision system integration (Keyence, Cognex) that Live Automation also services via VCS and direct vision work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/live-automation-company
• Xx.com/liveautomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/liveauto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Live Automation Company