VL Automation

What VL Automation does

VL Automation Ltd. is a privately held Hong Kong-domiciled systems integrator specializing in industrial automation, computer control systems, and data management systems for mission-critical infrastructure across Asia Pacific. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Sha Tin, the company operates a second site and training facility at Chek Lap Kok (Hong Kong International Airport) and serves customers in Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, and Macau. Project work is delivered both as specialist subcontractor to main control contractors (e.g., Control Systems International, Switchgear & Instrumentation UK, Chevalier Envirotech) and as direct contractor to end clients including airport authorities, water utilities, semiconductor fabs, rail operators, and energy facilities.

The company's technical core is the proprietary ICM-700 Series Industrial Control Manager, an embedded controller that connects multi-vendor intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), RTUs, and PLCs to higher-level SCADA Master systems via protocols including DNP3, IEC 60870-5, DF1, and Modbus. The ICM-700 platform bundles a SCADA server, data manager, programmable logic engine, integrated HMI web server (built on Apache/PHP/MySQL), and protocol analysis tooling (DAPStudio EWS). Solutions span Power Management Systems (PMS), Industrial Controls and Automation (ICA), and Infrastructure and Cities — including full project lifecycle services from conceptual design through commissioning, training, and maintenance. Demonstrated technical scale includes monitoring 1,100+ intelligent devices at the TSMC Shanghai wafer fab, 15,000+ I/O points at Hong Kong International Airport, and treatment capacity of 1,200 Mld at Tai Po Water Works.

VL Automation generates revenue primarily through project-based systems integration services on large infrastructure contracts, supplemented by proprietary ICM-700 product sales and fee-based technical training delivered through VL Academy (launched December 2013). The company positions itself as a Siemens Solution Partner - Automation and competes on open-standards interoperability, multi-vendor device integration, and lifecycle project management rather than on price. Customers are predominantly enterprise and government-linked, with named deployments at TSMC, Micron Singapore FAB10, Hong Kong International Airport, MTR/KCRC, REC Solar, Tai Po Water Works, Macau Studio City, and the Huizhou Hazardous Waste Incineration Plant. The firm has not raised external capital based on available data and is described as founder-owned/independently operated.

Name

VL Automation

Legal name

VL Automation Ltd.

Website

https://vla.com.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VL Automation is a Hong Kong-based industrial automation systems integrator founded in 1993 that designs, implements, and supports SCADA, DCS, and power management systems for enterprise infrastructure clients across Asia Pacific, including airports, water utilities, rail, and semiconductor fabs, using its proprietary ICM-700 controller and multi-vendor integration expertise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems Integration

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Industrial automation services
• SCADA systems integration
• Power management systems
• Distributed control systems
• Building management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Sha Tin

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Systems Integration Services: Core revenue stream from designing, implementing, integrating, and commissioning industrial automation and control systems. Projects span power management, infrastructure, and industrial automation across Asia Pacific. Work typically as subcontractor to main control contractors or direct contractor to end clients.
2. Training Services: VL Academy provides technical training courses including Siemens TIA Portal hands-on training, offering condensed courses for industry professionals with maximum 8 participants per course.
3. Product Sales (ICM-700 Series): Sale of proprietary ICM-700 Industrial Control Manager hardware product, an embedded controller for industrial automation applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VL Automation provides industrial automation and computer control systems integration services, including design, implementation, application development, field services, and commissioning of Power Management Systems (PMS), Building Management Systems (GBMS), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and SCADA platforms for large-scale infrastructure projects. The company also develops and sells its proprietary ICM-700 Series Industrial Control Manager hardware and DAPStudio EWS software for multi-vendor device connectivity, and delivers technical training through its VL Academy division.

Product overview

VL Automation provides integrated industrial automation, computer control systems, and data management solutions. Their product portfolio centers on the ICM-700 Series Industrial Control Manager, which serves as their core product for connecting and managing multi-vendor industrial devices. The company offers systems integration services including project management, system planning, design, implementation, application development, field services, maintenance, training, and on-site commissioning for Power Management Systems (PMS), Infrastructure and Cities projects, and Industrial Controls and Automation (ICA) applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VL Academy: Training division launched in 2013 to deliver quality trainings that foster confidence in long term maintainability of solutions. Provides training at technology centre at Chek Lap Kok Airport and VL facility at Shatin.

Products and services

• ICM-700 Series Industrial Control Manager
• VL Academy Technical Training Services Technical training services delivered through VL Automation's Academy division, offering condensed hands-on courses for industry professionals. Includes Siemens TIA Portal Hands-on Training covering S7-1500 PLC with a maximum of 8 participants per course. Designed for engineers and technical professionals seeking practical training in industrial automation technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tai Po Water Works won IWA Global Grand Price in Design Project Category 2006
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationVL Automation is a Siemens Solution Partner - Automation. Siemens experts provide training and product introductions including S7-1500 PLC and TIA Portal. VL's technology centre at Chek Lap Kok Airport received visits from Siemens Industrial Automation Division management including Regional Manager Dr. Wang Zhong Yang and Business Development Manager Edwin Kong.
• Control Systems International (CSI)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL Automation works as subcontractor to CSI (USA) on Hong Kong International Airport projects including GBMS and SCADA System and Aviation Fuel Supply System. CSI serves as main control contractor.
• Veolia Environmental ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL Automation is a direct contractor to Veolia Environmental Services Ltd for the Huizhou Hazardous Waste Incineration Plant project.
• Switchgear & Instrumentation Ltd (S&I)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL Automation is a subcontractor to S&I UK (Switchgear & Instrumentation Ltd) for TSMC Shanghai Wafer Plant Power Management System. S&I provided Communication Management and Control Computers (CMAC) for the project.
• Chevalier Envirotech LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL Automation is a sub-contractor to Chevalier Envirotech Ltd for Tai Po Water Works DCS System project.
• SMB/CSIcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL Automation is specialist sub-contractor to SMB/CSI for Jurong Datacenter Power Management System. SMB/CSI engaged M+W for PMS system design.
• Siemens (HK) LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVL collaborated with Siemens (HK) Ltd on Macau Studio City Power Management System testing and commissioning.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vl.automation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vl-automation-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 VL Automation