What Contrex does

Contrex is a privately held US industrial automation company founded in 1972 and headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, that designs and manufactures precision motor speed and motion control products. Its portfolio is organized around three controller families — the CX-Series (advanced 1/2 DIN controllers with built-in PLC and optional DeviceNet for precision speed ratio, unwind/rewind, and electronic lineshaft applications), the M-Series (pre-programmed 1/2 DIN controllers for specialized use cases including M-TRIM, M-DRIVE, M-TRACK, M-ROTARY, M-CUT, M-SHUTTLE, and M-TRAVERSE), and the compact ML-Series (1/4 DIN MLP-TRIM and MLP-DRIVE) — complemented by Ring Kit Encoders and Optical Encoders, speed sensors, brushless DC servo kits, Reflex function modules, accessories, and the ContrexHost 3 Windows configuration software.

The company's core technology thesis is that motion control should not require customer programming: controllers ship pre-configured for specific industrial applications such as web handling, tension control, registration, cut-to-length, and rotary knife synchronization, eliminating the need for complex PLC code or mechanical lineshafts. Differentiated technical features include zero cumulative error control, 1–10 millisecond control loops, self-learning trend detection (M-TRACK), electronic cam action (M-ROTARY), and unique Ring Kit Encoder mechanical design with a fixed sensor gap and square-cut gear teeth backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The operating range of -40°C to 125°C on encoders targets severe industrial environments.

Contrex operates a factory-direct sales model out of its single Maple Grove location, with no disclosed channel partners or distributors. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of controllers, encoders, sensors, and brushless DC servo systems, supplemented by an M-Series upgrade program (refurbished units at 25% off list) and a repair services operation ($100 minimum evaluation fee, no RMA required). Customers are industrial OEM manufacturers, system integrators, and end users across web processing and converting industries, served primarily through phone and website engagement. CE Declarations of Conformity and UL listings on multiple products support access to European and US-regulated industrial accounts.

Name

Contrex

Legal name

Contrex Inc.

Website

https://contrexinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1972, Contrex designs and manufactures pre-programmed precision motor speed and motion control controllers (CX, M, ML series), encoders, sensors, and brushless DC servos. It serves industrial OEMs, system integrators, and end users in web handling and converting applications via factory-direct sales from Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Motion Control Equipment

NAICS

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

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH), Motion Control Electronics & Controls (Controllers, Drivers, Feedback Interfaces) (IMAHAGAJ), Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Precision motion controllers
• Industrial speed controls
• DC servo systems
• Electronic lineshaft controllers
• Rotary encoders sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Osseo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Motion Control Hardware: Sale of precision motion controllers (CX-Series, M-Series, ML-Series), DC drives, encoders, sensors, and brushless DC servo systems to industrial customers
2. Accessories and Components: Sale of accessories including serial communications, signal converters, filters, isolation modules, and cables
3. Reflex Function Modules: Sale of signal interface and electronic function modules for control system completion
4. Upgrade Services: M-Series controller upgrade program offering refurbished controllers with new software, keypad, battery, and warranty at 25% savings over new
5. Repair Services: Repair department offering diagnosis and repair services with minimum evaluation fee of $100 USD

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Contrex designs, manufactures, and sells precision digital motion controllers (CX-Series, M-Series, ML-Series), DC drives, quadrature and optical encoders, speed sensors, brushless DC servo systems, Reflex function modules, accessories, and ContrexHost 3 configuration software for industrial automation applications. Products are pre-programmed for common uses such as web handling, tension control, electronic lineshafts, registration, and rotary knife cutting, and are sold factory-direct to industrial OEMs, system integrators, and end users across the United States.

Product overview

Contrex offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision motion control products organized into three main controller series: CX-Series (advanced 1/2 DIN controllers with built-in PLC and optional DeviceNet for precision speed ratio, unwind/rewind, and electronic lineshaft applications), M-Series (pre-programmed 1/2 DIN controllers including M-TRIM, M-DRIVE, M-TRACK, M-ROTARY, M-CUT, M-SHUTTLE, and M-TRAVERSE for specialized applications), and ML-Series (compact 1/4 DIN controllers including MLP-TRIM and MLP-DRIVE). These controllers integrate with complementary product lines including Ring Kit Encoders, Optical Encoders, and Speed Sensors for feedback; Brushless DC Servo systems (motors, drives, cables) for amplification; Reflex Function Modules and Accessories for expanded functionality; and ContrexHost 3 software for configuration and monitoring. An M-Series Upgrade Program offers customers up to 25% savings when upgrading older M-Series and Fenner controllers. Legacy products remain available with limited inventory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CX-1010 Universal Digital Motion Controller Universal digital motion controller for precision speed ratio (electronic gearing) applications. Features a 1 millisecond control loop and zero cumulative error, and interfaces with nearly any drive without complicated programming. Targeted at industrial OEMs and system integrators needing high-accuracy electronic gearing.
• CX-1102 2-Axis Unwind-Rewind Controller 2-axis digital motion controller for web handling unwind-rewind applications. Provides automatic roll diameter calculation and dancer trim control for tension-managed web processes.
• CX-1200 Electronic Lineshaft and Registration Controller Digital motion controller for synchronizing machines (electronic lineshaft) and registering webs and products. Includes built-in phase shifting capabilities to align multiple web paths.
• M-TRIM Universal Speed Ratio Controller Universal M-Series motion controller for precision speed ratio applications. Features a 10 millisecond control loop, zero cumulative error, and adjustable PID gains for tuning.
• M-DRIVE Integrated DC Drive and Motion Controller Integrated digital DC drive and motion controller for permanent magnet DC motors up to 2 HP, with adjustable current limit from 4 to 16 Amps.
• M-TRACK Synchronizing Controller with Self-Learning Universal M-Series controller for synchronizing independent machines without a mechanical lineshaft. Self-learning capabilities detect trends and automatically compensate for product spacing variations.
• M-ROTARY Electronic Cam Rotary Knife Controller M-Series controller for rotary knife and rotary drum applications. Uses electronic cam action to maintain matched speed at knife contact while accommodating variable product lengths.
• M-CUT Indexing and Cut-to-Length Controller Intelligent M-Series controller for indexing and cut-to-length applications, with 1 millisecond control loop and automatic S-curve motion profile generation.
• M-SHUTTLE Flying-Cut Synchronized Controller M-Series controller for synchronized flying-cut applications, moving a process device at product speed for non-stop processing.
• M-TRAVERSE Reciprocating and Level Wind Controller M-Series controller for reciprocating motion and level wind applications. Automatically generates motion profiles and positions the traverse motor by following main line speed.
• MLP-TRIM Compact 1/4 DIN Speed Controller Compact 1/4 DIN digital motion controller for precision speed control applications. Features a 10 millisecond control loop, optical isolation, and 0.01% set speed error, with CE and UL certifications.
• MLP-DRIVE Integrated 1/4 DIN DC Drive and Controller Integrated 1/4 DIN motion controller with built-in SCR DC drive handling 1/4 to 2 HP permanent magnet DC motors, with settable current limit from 0 to 10 Amps.
• Ring Kit Encoders Rugged quadrature encoders designed for installation on NEMA 56C through 254TC C-Faced motors. Full kits include flange ring, sensor, 60-tooth gear, junction box, wire nuts, and mounting bolts; available with 2X Hall Effect, Quadrature, and Magnetic Pickup sensors; -40C to 125C operating range; limited lifetime warranty.
• Optical Encoders Industry standard cube-style optical encoders available in 600 and 1200 pulses-per-revolution, with single channel and quadrature models for sensing motor speed and direction.
• Speed Sensors Speed sensors in 2X Hall Effect, Quadrature, and Magnetic Pickup configurations for closed-loop motion control. Quadrature Sensor II provides both speed and direction information.
• Brushless DC Servo Kits Pre-configured brushless DC servo systems including servo motor, servo amplifier/drive, and cables, available in digital and analog configurations. Motors available in Metric, English, and NEMA frame sizes.
• Contrex Accessories Auxiliary circuits, signal converters, and filters including serial communication converters (RS232-to-RS422/RS485), field-programmable ratio oscillators, pulse-to-analog converters, and optical isolation modules for system integration.
• Reflex Function Modules Signal interface and electronic function modules including voltage/current relays, precision reference modules, dancer position regulators, motor operated potentiometers, signal isolators, closed loop controllers, load cell amplifiers, and frequency to voltage converters.
• ContrexHost 3 Configuration Software Windows application software for setup and operation of CONTREX motion control products. Includes Network Builder, Control Monitor, Parameter File Editor, PLC Programmer, Custom Units Editor, Database Editor, and Serial Link Debugger utilities.
• Contrex Repair Services Factory-direct diagnosis and repair services for Contrex motion control products. Customers ship units to the Maple Grove, MN repairs department with a business card and failure description; Contrex returns a diagnosis and repair quote. Minimum evaluation fee of $100 USD; no RMA required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 25% savings on M-Series controller upgrades compared to purchasing new units
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley): Largest US industrial automation incumbent offering PLCs, motion controllers, drives, and software. Competes indirectly with Contrex across the same end-customers but with a much broader automation portfolio.
• ABB (Motion / Drives): Supplies industrial drives, motors, and motion control solutions globally. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Contrex in motor and drive-adjacent motion control applications for industrial customers.
• Siemens (Motion Control): Global industrial automation leader with SIMOTION controllers, SINAMICS drives, and servo motors. Broad incumbent serving the same industrial OEM customers as Contrex with a deeper global footprint.

Direct peers

• Kollmorgen (Altra Industrial Motion): Provider of motion control systems including servo drives, motors, and controllers for industrial automation. Comparable product portfolio across precision motion control with similar OEM and integrator customer base.
• Control Techniques (Emerson): Manufactures AC and DC drives and motion controllers for industrial automation. Directly competes with Contrex's motion controllers and DC drives in similar industrial OEM and end-user applications.
• Advanced Motion Controls: Specializes in motion control and motor drives for OEMs across industrial automation, machine builders, and robotics. Directly comparable as a specialist supplier of precision motion controllers and servo drives targeting similar OEM and integrator customers.
• Beckhoff Automation: Provides PC-based motion controllers, servo drives, and I/O for industrial automation. Comparable as a supplier of precision motion controllers to OEMs and system integrators in industrial machine building.
• Parker Hannifin (Electromechanical & Drives Division): Offers servo and stepper drives, motors, and motion controllers under brands like Compumotor and Parker Hannifin. Competes in similar precision motion control applications across industrial OEM customers.
• Yaskawa America: Supplies servo motors, motion controllers, and AC drives for industrial automation. Comparable as a motion control specialist serving web handling, converting, and packaging OEMs where Contrex also competes.
• Moog (Industrial Group): Designs and manufactures high-performance motion control products including servo motors, drives, and controllers. Overlaps with Contrex in precision servo and motion control applications for industrial machinery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

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 Contrex