Noelco

What Noelco does

Noelco Inc is a privately held industrial automation integrator founded in 2001 and headquartered in Clinton Township, Michigan. The company designs and delivers custom controls solutions for automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, metal forming equipment operators, and part handling facilities, with a stated portfolio of 60+ client/partners and 200+ completed projects. Core offerings span obsolete PLC and HMI migration, servo drive retrofits (notably the BDF Digital OPDExp, OPDE, and OPD Explorer product lines, covering 0.4kW to 250kW), servo motor replacement via its partnership with Italian manufacturer RCV Motors (<1Nm to >400Nm), and full turnkey automation system design, build, installation, and support. The firm's value proposition centers on "drop-in" retrofits that preserve existing motors, wiring, and mounting configurations, reducing upgrade cost and downtime for industrial customers operating aging pressroom and metal forming assets.

Revenue is generated through two streams: hardware sales of BDF Digital servo drives and RCV servo motors supplied as part of customer solutions, and professional services for custom engineering, integration, commissioning, training, and ongoing support. The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales, with all engagement routed through the company website and the [email protected] channel; pricing is not disclosed publicly and requires direct quotation. Noelco reports 1–10 employees, operates exclusively within the United States, and has not disclosed funding, ownership structure, or revenue. Notable enterprise customers include Stellantis, Tesla, Volkswagen, Rivian, Autokiniton, Tower International, Brose, Gestamp, Schuler, and BCI Solutions.

Name

Noelco

Legal name

Noelco, Inc.

Website

https://noelcoinc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Noelco Inc is a Michigan-based industrial automation integrator that retrofits obsolete PLCs, servo drives, and servo motors, and builds turnkey motion control systems for automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and metal forming operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation and Motion Control Systems

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Servo motion control
• PLC HMI design
• Servo drive retrofit
• Turnkey automation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Clinton Township

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Automation Products and Systems: Noelco generates revenue through the sale of servo drives, servo motors, PLCs, and HMIs along with custom-designed automation solutions. They supply high-quality products to support customer custom solutions and provide unmatched customer support including extensive runoff of products and systems, installation, commissioning, and ongoing service and support.
2. Custom Engineering and Integration Services: Revenue from designing, building, installing, and supporting complete turnkey industrial automation systems. Includes PLC and HMI design, servo motion control system integration, and electrical hardware design services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Noelco designs, supplies, and integrates industrial automation solutions for automotive, metal forming, and part handling industries. The company supplies BDF Digital servo drives and RCV servo motors as core components, and provides custom PLC/HMI design, servo motion control system integration, electrical hardware design, retrofit services for obsolete equipment, and complete turnkey automation systems including installation, commissioning, training, and ongoing support.

Product overview

Noelco Inc is an industrial automation company providing custom-designed solutions for the automotive, metal forming, and part handling industries. Their product portfolio centers on BDF Digital servo drives (including OPDExp, OPDE, and OPD Explorer models) and RCV Motors servo motors, which they supply as components and install within comprehensive retrofit and turnkey system services. The company specializes in upgrading obsolete PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, and servo motors to modern, readily available alternatives while preserving existing wiring configurations. They also offer complete turnkey automation system design, build, installation, and support services combining PLC/HMI design, electric servo motion control, and electrical hardware design into unified industrial automation solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BDF Digital OPDExp Servo Drive High-performance servo drive with built-in motion controller supporting point-to-point motion, indexing, interpolated motion, winder/unwinder, and rotary cutter applications. Features +/- 10V analog input with encoder output simulation, auto-tuning, multiple motor feedback options (resolver, incremental/absolute encoder, encoder TTL, encoder hiperface, Endat BISS), and communication protocols (EtherNet IP, ProfiNet, EtherCat, Profibus, DeviceNet, CanOpen). Power range from 0.4kW to 250kW.
• RCV Motors Servo Motors High-performance servo motors designed for applications requiring high-dynamic response. Features high torque, low rotor inertia, with Samarium-cobalt and neodymium magnet options. Power range from less than 1Nm to more than 400Nm.
• PLC Design and Upgrade Services Custom PLC design for automation control systems including upgrade of obsolete PLCs to newest generation, readily available models. Includes updating communication networks and/or integration with existing networks. Targeted at automotive and industrial manufacturers needing to migrate from obsolete PLC hardware.
• HMI Design and Upgrade Services HMI design and upgrade services including updating out-of-date HMI software packages and obsolete hardware with new HMI solutions. Includes communication network updates. Targeted at industrial customers needing to modernize human-machine interface systems.
• Servo Drive Retrofitting Services Upgrade services for obsolete servo drives with new high-performance drives capable of running most existing servo motors. Maintains existing motors and wiring configurations, providing cost-effective retrofit solutions for automotive and metal forming customers.
• Servo Motor Retrofitting Services Upgrade services for obsolete servo motors with new high-performance, high-dynamic servo motors. Options for maintaining existing motor wiring and mounting configurations to provide cost-effective replacement solutions.
• Complete Turnkey Automation Systems Full-service industrial automation solutions where Noelco designs, builds, installs, and supports complete turnkey systems incorporating PLC/HMI design, servo motion control, and electrical hardware design. Targeted at automotive, metal forming, and part handling industries requiring brand-new automation builds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% increase in parts per shift after servo drive upgrade to TDE drives (reported by machine operator at appliance manufacturer)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BDF DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationBDF Digital is a key technology partner supplying high-performance OPDExp servo drives that Noelco integrates into their automation solutions. BDF Digital products feature built-in motion controllers, wide power ranges (0.4kW-250kW), multiple communication protocols (EtherNet IP, ProfiNet, EtherCat, etc.), and advanced auto-tuning capabilities. Noelco directs customers to BDF Digital for servo drive products and has partnered with them for multiple automotive retrofit projects.
• RCV Motors (RCV SRL)coreTechnology or IntegrationRCV Motors is an Italian manufacturer of high-performance servo motors that Noelco partners with to supply motors for automation applications. RCV Motors products feature high torque, low rotor inertia, and samarium-cobalt and neodymium magnet options with power ranges from less than 1Nm to more than 400Nm. Noelco recommends RCV Motors to customers seeking servo motor upgrades and replacements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Dominant industrial automation incumbent offering PLCs, HMIs, motion control, and servo systems through Allen-Bradley. Competes with Noelco's PLC/HMI/servo retrofit services as part of a much broader automation portfolio including software and controllers.
• Bosch Rexroth: Provides electric drives, motion control, and assembly solutions extensively deployed in automotive manufacturing and metal forming — overlapping directly with Noelco's servo retrofit and turnkey automation scope.
• Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Major motion control and PLC supplier (MELSERVO, MELSEC) with strong automotive presence. Provides both the equipment and integration services that compete with Noelco's servo/PLC upgrade business.
• Parker Hannifin (Motion & Control): Supplies servo motors, drives, and electromechanical motion components used in automotive press and material handling. Competes for the same retrofit and turnkey automation engagements, with a far broader industrial portfolio.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Global automation leader providing SIMATIC PLCs, SINAMICS drives, and SIMOTION motion controllers. Competes broadly for industrial automation upgrade projects in automotive plants, including at Noelco's key customers (VW, Stellantis, Brose).
• ABB Motion Business: Supplies industrial drives, servo motors, and motion control products globally. ABB's installed base in automotive plants competes for the modernization and retrofit dollars Noelco targets.

Direct peers

• Beckhoff Automation: Supplies PC-based controllers, EtherCAT servo drives (AX series), and integrated automation platforms directly relevant to Noelco's PLC/servo/HMI turnkey offerings, especially for high-end motion control retrofits.
• Yaskawa America: Leading manufacturer of servo motors, servo drives (Sigma series), and motion controllers widely used in automotive press and metal forming applications — directly comparable offerings to Noelco's retrofit-and-integrate value proposition.
• BDF Digital: Supplier of high-performance OPDExp, OPDE, and OPD Explorer servo drives (0.4kW–250kW) with built-in motion controllers. While a core technology partner to Noelco, BDF Digital also sells direct, making it both supplier and channel competitor.
• Moog Inc. Manufacturer of high-performance servo motors and motion control systems. Noelco specifically retrofits Moog T164 servo drives to BDF Digital OPDExp drives at VW and Autokiniton, making Moog the legacy incumbent competing for the same retrofit accounts.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

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 Noelco