Beck Automation

What Beck Automation does

Beck Automation is a private industrial automation company founded in 2001 and headquartered at 814 Fee Fee Rd, St. Louis, Missouri. The company designs and sells proprietary control systems and related automation products exclusively for the metal forming industry, serving manufacturers of rollforming, cut-to-length, tube and structural mills, portable rollformer, and folding equipment. Its installed base spans enterprise customers including BTSI, CMT Components, ACI Building Systems, C Golke Industries, and Prime Metal Buildings & Components, with service coverage claimed worldwide despite a single U.S. office.

The product portfolio is built around four specialized hardware controllers — Phoenix (large 20.5\" touch-screen rollforming press controller with multi-axis and Y-axis control), SII (10.4\" color touch-screen controller for stud/track, panel lines, structural, purlin, tube mill, slit cut-to-length, and decking applications), Cobalt (compact 6.5\" sunlight-readable controller for portable machines running 12-24 VDC), and Intelli-fold (10.4\" controller for long folders and hydraulic/electric folders with solid-state memory and no PLC requirement). These controllers are complemented by Connex, a web-based HTML5 multi-user enterprise production management platform providing job scheduling, coil tracking, customizable reports, ERP import/export, multi-facility corporate database, and remote login; Connex is extensible through optional modules (Trim Optimization, Production Kiosks, Machine Maintenance, KPI Screens, Custom API Reports). Supporting offerings include Turn-Key Solutions (engineering, installation, electrical drawings, panel assembly), Robotic Solutions (panel stackers, de-stackers, trim stacking, automated folders, screwing/crimping/fastening automation), Translators (interfaces linking ERP/CAD systems from Oracle, QuickBooks Metalshop, Sage, SAP, Tekla, StrucSoft, Vertex/Argos, Keymark, Loseke, Paradigm, Eagle, Peachtree, MBS to Beck machines), and accessories such as Valve Accelerators, barcode scanners, and part marking/label printers.

Beck Automation monetizes through one-time hardware sales and turn-key installation projects on controllers, robotics, and accessories; subscription-based recurring software for the Connex platform (including module add-ons); and professional services for retrofit engineering. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed because each engagement is customized to the customer's machine configuration. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by direct quote requests, industry trade show presence at FABTECH, Metalcon, and Construction Rollforming Show, and customer referrals from a base that values next-day technician dispatch and 24-hour retrofit turnarounds.

Name

Beck Automation

Legal name

Beck Automation

Website

https://beckautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Beck Automation is a private St. Louis-based industrial automation company founded in 2001 that designs proprietary control systems, Connex enterprise production software, and robotic solutions exclusively for metal forming manufacturers serving rollforming, cut-to-length, tube mill, and folding operations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Controls

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Metal forming controls
• Rollforming automation systems
• Industrial control systems
• Production management software
• Robotic fabrication solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Control Systems and Hardware: Sale of proprietary control systems (Phoenix, Cobalt, Intelli-fold, SII controllers) for metal forming machines including rollformers, cut-to-length lines, tube mills, and folding machines. Revenue is generated from customized hardware solutions with installation services.
2. Robotic Solutions: Turn-key robotic automation solutions including panel stackers, de-stackers, trim stacking robots, and custom robotic systems for metal forming applications.
3. Connex Software: Enterprise production management software with job scheduling, coil tracking, and ERP integration capabilities. Multi-user enterprise solution with premium optional modules including trim optimization, production kiosks, machine maintenance, and KPI screens.
4. Turn-Key Solutions and Panel Assembly: Full service package including engineering, installation, electrical drawings, new operator stations, and equipment cabinets for control upgrades and retrofits.
5. Accessories: Ancillary products including valve accelerators, barcode scanners (corded and cordless), and part marking/label printers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Beck Automation designs, manufactures, and supports proprietary control systems (Phoenix, Cobalt, Intelli-fold, SII controllers), the Connex web-based enterprise production management software, and turn-key robotic automation solutions specifically engineered for the metal forming industry (rollforming, cut-to-length, tube mills, portable rollformers, and folding machines). The company delivers customized hardware, retrofit installation services, and ERP-integrated shop-floor software to industrial manufacturers worldwide.

Product overview

Beck Automation offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture for the metal forming industry. The core portfolio centers on four specialized controllers: Phoenix (rollforming press control), SII (rollforming line control), Cobalt (portable machine control), and Intelli-fold (folding machine control). These hardware controllers are complemented by Connex, a web-based enterprise production management software that serves as the central platform for job scheduling, coil tracking, reporting, and ERP integration. The product ecosystem extends through turn-key installation services, robotic automation solutions, and peripheral accessories including printers and barcode scanners. Optional modules for Connex include Trim Optimization, Production Kiosks, Machine Maintenance, KPI Screens, and Custom API Reports. Translators enable connectivity between various ERP/design software systems and Beck Automation machines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phoenix Controller Advanced controller for rollforming press systems featuring a 20.5" graphical color touch-screen, multi-axis control with Y-axis adjustment for press and rollformer, USB for backup and code updates, setup wizards, dual axis closed loop control, grip feed control, and Connex download capability. Designed for metal forming manufacturers operating rollforming equipment.
• SII Controller Control system with 10.4" color touch-screen display, +/- keys for QuickCorrect length adjustment, Compact Flash for backup and code updates, setup wizards for easy installation, dual axis closed loop control, and download capability from Connex, SmartComm, and BANet. Compatible with stud and track, panel lines, structural products, purlin mills, tube mills, slit cut-to-length lines, and decking lines.
• Cobalt Controller Compact controller available in panel mount or weather-tite enclosure, designed for portable machines with super bright 6.5" color touch-screen display that is sunlight readable. Features Quick-Correct length adjustment, setup wizards, Compact Flash for code updates, and works over 12VDC to 24VDC power range.
• Intelli-fold Controller Complete machine control for folding machines with no PLC required. Features graphical part display, step-by-step part generation, one touch edit, download of parts/jobs from office to machine, production tracking, 10.4" color touch screen, and solid-state memory with no hard drives. Available in overarm, consolette, or wedge mount configurations.
• Connex Multi-user enterprise web-based production management software (HTML5) that links office to plant floor. Features include job scheduling, coil tracking, customizable reports, import/export to ERP software, remote login via laptops/smartphones/tablets, multi-facility corporate database, automatic and manual job sending to machines, and coil validation and inventory tracking. Designed for metal forming manufacturers needing shop-floor visibility.
• Turn-Key Solutions Full-service package including engineering, installation, electrical drawings, new operator stations, and equipment cabinets for control system upgrades and retrofits. Services range from simple controller and rewiring to complete equipment cabinets and panel assembly for metal forming machinery.
• Robotic Solutions Turn-key robotic automation solutions for metal forming applications including custom robotic automated folder solutions, panel stackers and de-stackers, trim rollformer robotic stackers, and automation for screwing, crimping, and fastening operations. Designed to reduce labor costs and safety risks in metal forming operations.
• Valve Accelerator Accessory that accelerates press operation by ramping coil current faster to open valves quicker. Features adjustable output levels optimized for specific valves, over-current protection, and compact DIN rail mounted enclosure.
• Barcode Scanner Corded and cordless barcode scanner models used for scanning coil tags to track material usage on metal forming production lines.
• Part Marking Printer Industrial printers for marking part information directly onto material at the production line, available in Drop on Demand (DOD) and Continuous Flow (CIJ) models.
• Label Printer Industrial printer for bundle tags and coil tags at the production line, with customized label layout support for reprinting coil tags when returning to stock.

Quantifiable outcome

• Retrofit installation can be completed in as little as 24 hours
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature10 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation incumbent offering Allen-Bradley PLCs, control systems, and software that compete with Beck's controllers across metal forming and adjacent applications.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Siemens offers SIMATIC PLCs and industrial software that compete with Beck's controllers, particularly for larger metal forming customers seeking integrated enterprise-wide automation platforms.
• Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff Automation provides PC-based control and PLC technology widely adopted in industrial automation, offering a modern, open-platform alternative to Beck Automation's specialized metal forming controllers.
• ABB: ABB provides industrial automation including controllers, drives, and robotics that compete with Beck's offerings in metal forming and adjacent discrete manufacturing applications.
• Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Mitsubishi Electric offers MELSEC PLCs and automation products that compete with Beck's controllers in metal forming and other general industrial applications.

Others

• WAGO: WAGO manufactures controllers, I/O systems, and interconnection products used widely in industrial automation, including offerings that compete with Beck's controllers for metal forming applications.
• Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact supplies industrial connection technology, PLCs, and control components used as building blocks in metal forming automation systems, serving as both potential competitor and complementary supplier.
• Pilz: Pilz specializes in safe automation technology and safety controllers used in industrial machinery including metal forming equipment, representing an adjacent safety-and-control player.

Direct peers

• automationInternational: automationInternational provides automation and control solutions specifically for roll forming and metal forming manufacturers, with overlapping product offerings and customer base to Beck Automation.
• Formtek Group: Formtek Group supplies metal forming and material processing equipment including roll forming, tube mills, and coil processing lines, serving many of the same manufacturers as Beck Automation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beck-automation-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Beck Automation