What HTI Cybernetics does

HTI Cybernetics is a Sterling Heights, Michigan-based automotive automation integrator founded in 1983 as Hi-Tech Tool and rebranded in 2008 to reflect its evolution from standalone workstations into integrated human-machine systems. The company designs, builds, and integrates custom automation solutions, material handling equipment (including lift assists, conveyors, and automated guided vehicles), assembly tooling, and collaborative robotics for automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers. Named customers include General Motors (designated Powertrain Tooling and Integration Strategic Supplier in 2019), Volvo, Stellantis, Lear Corporation, and Thai Summit.

The technical platform rests on in-house engineering capabilities (mechanical design, controls engineering, industrial process and layout planning, and CAD-based software simulation) combined with vertically integrated manufacturing resources that include a dedicated machine shop, 3D printing and rapid prototyping, tool construction, panel build and assembly, and production support. The company operates from three Sterling Heights facilities totaling nearly 400,000 sq. ft., all acquired or developed between 2019 and 2022. The portfolio spans four core solution areas — automation systems, material handling, assembly tooling, and collaborative robotics — supported by custom integration, engineering, manufacturing resources, and 360° program support covering the full project lifecycle from process analysis through installation and ongoing production support.

Revenue is generated through project-based custom automation contracts (one-time license revenue), hardware sales for material handling and assembly tooling, and professional services for program support. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales to automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers, supplemented by industry event participation (notably Automate 2025) and community engagement. Since 2017, HTI has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Chongqing Nanshang Investment (Group) Co., Ltd., a Chinese holding company focused on hi-tech robotic manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. The company employs 170 people and is led by CEO Eric McAlexander, who was appointed in 2019. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

HTI Cybernetics

Legal name

HTI Cybernetics, Inc.

Website

https://hticybernetics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HTI Cybernetics is a Sterling Heights, Michigan-based automotive automation integrator designing and building custom automation systems, material handling, assembly tooling, and collaborative robotics for OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers including GM, Volvo, Stellantis, and Lear Corporation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Automotive assembly tooling
• Collaborative robotics integration
• Material handling equipment
• Custom manufacturing automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sterling Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

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. Custom Automation Systems: Design, build, and integration of custom automation systems for automotive manufacturing. Solutions are cost-effective, scalable, and delivered to meet customer expectations throughout the entire project lifecycle.
2. Material Handling Solutions: Sale of material handling equipment including lift assists, carrier carts, articulating arms, conveyor systems, and AGVs.
3. Assembly Tooling: Custom assembly tooling including sub-assembly tables, secure tools, torque tubes, and testing equipment for automotive assembly operations.
4. Collaborative Robotics: Collaborative robot systems and applications including adhesive dispensing, fastening, assembly, welding, and inspection systems.
5. 360° Program Support Services: Comprehensive support services including process analysis, engineering and design, build and integration, validation and testing, installation and startup, and ongoing production support. Vertical integration provides exceptional service, high craftsmanship, proven efficiency, and precision.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HTI Cybernetics designs, builds, and integrates custom automation and tooling solutions for automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers. Core offerings include automation systems, material handling equipment, assembly tooling, and collaborative robotics, supported by in-house engineering, fabrication, and 360° program support from concept through installation and ongoing production support.

Product overview

HTI Cybernetics provides integrated automation and tooling solutions to the automotive industry. The portfolio consists of four core solution areas that work together as an integrated system: Automation Systems (design, build, and integration of flexible automation), Material Handling (equipment for transport and ergonomics), Assembly Tooling (precision joining and testing), and Collaborative Robotics (human-robot cooperation). These are supported by Custom Integration services, Engineering capabilities (mechanical, controls, industrial layout, software/simulation), Manufacturing Resources (in-house fabrication, 3D printing, tool construction), and 360° Program Support that guides projects from concept through installation and ongoing production support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automation Systems Comprehensive automation systems encompassing design, build, and integration of flexible automation solutions for assembly and sub-assembly manufacturing environments. Capabilities include laser welding/cutting, dissimilar metals joining, grinding/buffing, and self-piercing riveting, with ANSI/RIA safety compliance and expertise across all robot manufacturers.
• Material Handling Equipment
• Assembly Tooling Custom assembly tooling including sub-assembly tables, secure tools with programmable torque limits, torque tubes, and testing equipment. Optimizes workflow and productivity while eliminating bottlenecks from poor ergonomics in assembly operations.
• Collaborative Robotics
• 360° Program Support
• Custom Integration Stand-alone cells or fully automated systems with robot programming, field service, testing and validation, installation, and startup support tailored to customer requirements.
• Engineering Services Full engineering capabilities including mechanical design, controls engineering, industrial process/layout, and software simulation. Uses CAD and other applications to visualize and demonstrate concepts before implementation.
• Manufacturing Resources Completely contained, self-sufficient manufacturing capabilities including fabrication/machining with dedicated onsite machine shop, 3D printing/rapid prototyping, tool construction, pipe and wire, panel build/assembly, and production support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved operational stability and minimized maintenance costs through HTI Optimize production support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Association for Advancing Automation (A3)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Produces the Automate Show and Conference, the largest automation event in the Americas. HTI exhibits at Automate 2025 (May 12-15, Detroit) in booth 209.
• NSF-ISRminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Independent third-party organization that assessed and certified HTI for ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 standards. NSF-ISR is the largest automotive registrar in North America.
• Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024HTI recognized as Outstanding Industry Partner by MISD in 2024 for leadership and dedication as a business role model. Partners on Little Inventors program for fourth graders and Manufacturing Day tours for high school students.
• General Motors (GM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021HTI is a strategic partner with GM in EcoVadis sustainability initiative since 2021, achieving higher scores in all categories with every annual submission. Selected as Powertrain Tooling and Integration Strategic Supplier in 2019.
• EcoVadisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Global sustainability rating organization. HTI participates in annual sustainability assessments covering Environment, Ethics, Labor & Human Rights, and Sustainable Procurement. Achieved Silver medal (80th percentile) in 2023.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JR Automation (Hitachi): One of the largest US-based custom automation and robotic systems integrators serving the automotive industry, with a comparable offering across assembly, material handling, and collaborative robotics. Direct overlap with HTI in Tier 1/2 automotive supplier programs, but at substantially greater scale (acquired by Hitachi for ~$1.4B in 2019).
• ATS Automation: Publicly traded Canadian-based provider of custom automation systems, with significant automotive exposure alongside aerospace, medical, and energy. Direct comparable in business model (custom automation projects) and customer profile (Tier 1 automotive suppliers and OEMs).
• Genesis Systems (now part of IPG Photonics): Specializes in robotic welding, cutting, and material handling systems for automotive and industrial customers. Highly comparable to HTI's automation systems and collaborative robotics offerings, with a similar Tier 1 automotive customer base.
• Midwest Engineered Systems: Mid-sized US-based custom automation systems integrator focused on welding, assembly, and material handling for automotive and general industrial customers. Closest size-and-scope comparable to HTI, with similar collaborative robotics and custom integration offerings.

Broad incumbents

• FANUC America: Major industrial robotics manufacturer and integrator with deep automotive OEM relationships. While FANUC sells the robots HTI often integrates, the two compete for system-integration scope on automotive programs.
• KUKA Systems (part of Midea Group): Global Tier 1 supplier of robotic automation systems, including assembly lines and material handling for automotive OEMs worldwide. Overlaps with HTI in automotive body shop and powertrain assembly automation, but at much greater scale and with a broader industrial robotics portfolio.
• Yaskawa America (Motoman Robotics): Major supplier of industrial robots and robotic automation systems for automotive welding, painting, assembly, and material handling. Comparable to HTI in collaborative and industrial robotics deployment for automotive manufacturers.
• Dürr Systems: Global leader in automotive paint shops, final assembly, and environmental technology, with significant presence in powertrain and battery cell manufacturing. Competitor for HTI on the assembly-integration side of automotive OEM programs, especially for EV battery lines.
• Comau: Stellantis-affiliated global automation specialist providing body shop welding, assembly, and EV manufacturing solutions. Highly comparable to HTI's automotive OEM offering, particularly given Stellantis is an HTI customer; competes in the same programs as a scaled incumbent.

Emerging players

• Apex Tool and Manufacturing: Specialty manufacturer of assembly tooling and custom fixtures for automotive and industrial customers. Overlaps with HTI's assembly tooling product line and shares a Tier 1/2 supplier customer base, though smaller and more tooling-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hti-cybernetics-128775883908492
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1338162

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 HTI Cybernetics