ControlTouch Systems

What ControlTouch Systems does

ControlTouch Systems is a Louisville, Kentucky-based industrial automation integrator specializing in control systems for airport baggage handling systems (BHS). Founded in 1990, the company reports the largest US integrator footprint in its niche, with 400 completed airport BHS projects across 115 US airports and 250+ inline Explosive Detection System (EDS) machines programmed. Its portfolio includes proprietary software products—Sort Allocation Controller (SAC), Data Historian System (DHS), Management Information System (MIS/SCADA), the HTML5/WebSockets-based System Manager operator interface, and SQUEAKS critical event management—built on a Rockwell Automation technology stack (Stratix switches, PowerFlex drives, Emulate3D for virtual commissioning). The company also operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries: QubeworX (UL-certified panel fabrication, launched 2018) and Automated Conveyance Tech (ACT, electrical installation, launched 2023), providing vertical integration from panel build through controls engineering and field installation.

Revenue is generated through project-based systems integration for BHS implementations and recapitalizations, recurring service contracts with maintenance and spare-parts support, software licensing, panel fabrication, and hardware sales. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting airport operators, airlines, engineering firms, and construction contractors, supplemented by active participation in industry events (AAAE Expo, Automation Fair, Future Travel Experience) and partnerships with Rockwell Automation, IGear, BNP Associates, and Daifuku. Named enterprise customers include Harry Reid Las Vegas (20+ year relationship with contract through 2030), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage, Moynihan Train Hall, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta. ControlTouch was acquired in 2022 (acquirer undisclosed), operates under an employee ownership culture, and is domiciled in Kentucky as an LLC.

Name

ControlTouch Systems

Legal name

ControlTouch Systems, LLC

Website

https://controltouch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ControlTouch Systems is a Louisville, Kentucky-based industrial automation integrator that designs and deploys proprietary control systems for airport baggage handling, serving 115 US airports and major airlines with Rockwell Automation-based hardware, custom software, and field installation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Baggage Handling Automation

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Baggage handling systems
• Industrial automation controls
• Airport material handling
• Control systems integration
• SCADA systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Systems Integration & Project Services: Custom design, programming, development, and commissioning of automated control systems for baggage handling and material handling applications. Project-based revenue from airport BHS implementations, upgrades, and recapitalization projects.
2. Service Contracts: Ongoing support contracts providing system audits, phone/online/in-person support, and maintenance services to ensure continued success of customer systems.
3. Spare Parts Sales: Direct sales of replacement parts and components for control systems and baggage handling equipment through online portal and direct ordering.
4. Panel Fabrication: Custom control panel fabrication through sister company QubeworX for various industrial automation applications.
5. Software Solutions: Licensing and deployment of proprietary software including SAC, DHS, MIS, HMI, and System Manager applications for system management and optimization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ControlTouch Systems designs, engineers, and integrates industrial automation and control systems for airport baggage handling and material handling operations. The company delivers proprietary software platforms (SAC, DHS, MIS/SCADA, System Manager, SQUEAKS, HMI) combined with Rockwell Automation hardware, RFID tracking, virtual commissioning, panel fabrication through QubeworX, and installation services through Automated Conveyance Tech (ACT). Its solutions have been deployed at 400+ airport baggage handling system projects across 115 US airports.

Product overview

ControlTouch Systems provides a comprehensive industrial automation platform for airport baggage handling systems, consisting of both software products and services. The core software portfolio includes the Sort Allocation Controller (SAC) for routing coordination, Data Historian System (DHS) for operational logging, Management Information System (MIS/SCADA) for monitoring, System Manager as the web-based operator interface (HTML5/WebSockets), Human Machine Interface (HMI), and SQUEAKS for critical event management via Microsoft Teams. Their RFID systems offer 99% tracking accuracy. Supporting services include panel fabrication through sister company QubeworX, electrical installation via Automated Conveyance Tech (ACT), and ongoing service contracts with spare parts support. The platform integrates with Microsoft Teams for real-time operational notifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• System Manager Web-based HTML5 operator interface using WebSockets that serves as the operator's interface to the control system, providing dashboard, device control, and user management across multiple systems for airport baggage handling operations.
• SQUEAKS Critical Event Management Software Real-time event notification software delivering alerts to airport managers through Microsoft Teams with built-in escalation rules, automatically bringing unresolved issues to the attention of appropriate personnel and capturing a digital trail of resolution actions.
• Sort Allocation Controller (SAC) Coordinates communication between multiple management systems in airline operations, routing packages, luggage, and materials with high-speed prefetching and caching, maintaining detailed logs and built-in hot-backup redundancy.
• Data Historian System (DHS) Maintains logs of equipment operation over time via direct PLC connection, enabling long-term analysis to identify issues, predict maintenance requirements, and find opportunities for expansion.
• Management Information System (MIS/SCADA) Graphical interface system enabling monitoring and analysis of system information from any location, reporting alarms, supporting remote start/stop, parameter adjustment, and connecting to DHS for reports and trends.
• Human Machine Interface (HMI) Graphical interface that provides all system data and control capabilities, translating system operation into visual data for operators, managers, and maintenance personnel.
• RFID Tracking Systems Radio frequency identification systems using encrypted chips in smart labels for tracking bags, packages, and passenger luggage with 99% accuracy independent of item orientation, position, or speed.
• System Simulation and Emulation 3D modeling-based simulation and emulation enabling clients to visualize material handling systems in 3D and fully test control system software in real time prior to implementation, using Emulate3D for virtual commissioning.
• Controls Automation Integration Services Custom automated control system design, programming, development, and commissioning for airport baggage handling and material handling applications, including PLC hardware/software, visualization tools, and database integration.
• Panel Fabrication (via QubeworX) Custom UL-certified control panel fabrication and wiring services for industrial automation applications, delivered through sister company QubeworX.
• Electrical Installation Services (via Automated Conveyance Tech) Electrical installation services specializing in installation of control systems for automated conveyor systems, delivered through sister company Automated Conveyance Tech (ACT) primarily for airport baggage handling applications.
• Service Contracts and Spare Parts Ongoing support contracts providing yearly system audits, phone/online/in-person support, and maintenance services, plus direct sales of high-quality replacement parts and components for control systems and baggage handling equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Component replacement reduced from 30-45 minutes to under 10 minutes with ADC technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KAIHA (Kentucky Amateur Ice Hockey Association)minorOthers · 1 July 2025Partnership for Little Ice Cards youth hockey program launching July 2025. Program introduces ice hockey to children ages 4-9. ControlTouch providing sponsorship to support youth development and local sports initiatives.
• Future Travel Experience (FTE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2025Joined FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub as Strategic Partner and attending FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) meetings. BIWG unites leading airlines, airports, and baggage supply chain innovators to develop new technologies, optimize operations, and enhance passenger experience through proof-of-concept initiatives.
• IGearcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Partnership with IGear, a software innovator in real-time communication and automation solutions, to bring SQUEAKS, One-Source, and Microsoft Teams Add-on software to the airport industry. SQUEAKS delivers real-time event notifications to airport managers through Microsoft Teams with built-in escalation rules. Anthony Holland showcased SQUEAKS at Future Travel Experience (FTE) virtual meeting on March 12, 2025.
• Automated Conveyance Tech (ACT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sister company launched in 2023 to provide electrical installation services specializing in installation of control systems for automated conveyor systems primarily in the airport baggage handling industry. Controls and electrical installation provided for Las Vegas BHS improvements through 2030.
• QubeworXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Sister company launched in 2018 as a UL-certified panel fabrication and wiring facility. Builds custom panels for all applications using Hoffman-Steinhauer Mod center CNC. Located near main office enabling integrated panel delivery.
• Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for Rockwell Automation products including Stratix switches, PowerFlex drives, and Emulate3D software. Jointly developed Drive-In-A-Box (DIAB) configuration with BNP Associates for SEA Airport decentralized baggage handling control. Uses Device Level Ring (DLR) and EtherNet/IP design.
• BNP AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on baggage handling system projects including SEA Airport Baggage Optimization Project and International Arrival Facility Project. Jointly developed DIAB configuration with Rockwell Automation and ControlTouch.
• DaifukuminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorked alongside Daifuku on Terminal C Recapitalization Project at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Daifuku provided reorganized terminal systems while ControlTouch handled controls engineering.
• Little Ice CardsminorOthersBrand-new youth hockey program launching in July 2025 in partnership with KAIHA. Multi-week summer program designed to help young athletes build confidence while learning hockey fundamentals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SITA: Leading IT and communications solutions provider for the air transport industry, including baggage management software (BagManager) and airport operational systems. Competes in the airport software and systems integration space.
• Beumer Group: German-headquartered systems integrator providing baggage handling systems and controls for airports globally. Direct competitor in the airport BHS integration market with comparable engineering and integration capabilities.
• Daifuku: Global leader in material handling systems including airport baggage handling. Daifuku supplies BHS equipment at major US airports and is both a competitor and partner (worked alongside ControlTouch on the Anchorage Terminal C Recapitalization). Most direct comparable in the airport BHS integration space.
• Vanderlande: Major global integrator of baggage handling systems for airports, including controls, sortation, and screening integration. Direct competitor for BHS control integration contracts at airports worldwide.
• TGW Logistics Group: European-headquartered provider of automated warehouse, distribution, and material handling solutions. Comparable systems integration capabilities in material handling controls, though with broader logistics/parcel focus versus airport specialty.
• Alstef Automation: French systems integrator specializing in baggage handling, parcel sortation, and warehouse automation. Direct peer in airport BHS integration with comparable systems integration capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Core technology partner providing ControlTouch's underlying PLC, switch, drive, and emulation technology stack. Larger incumbent in industrial automation broadly, though not a direct airport BHS systems integrator.
• Smiths Detection: Global provider of threat detection and screening technologies for aviation security, including EDS (Explosive Detection Systems) integrated into airport baggage handling. Adjacent incumbent that supplies key screening equipment ControlTouch integrates.
• Honeywell International: Large diversified conglomerate offering airport automation, building controls, and material handling solutions. Broad incumbent in industrial automation with overlapping airport solutions but not specialized in BHS control integration.

Others

• BNP Associates: Engineering consultancy specializing in baggage handling system design, collaborating with ControlTouch on major projects (SEA Airport Baggage Optimization, International Arrival Facility). Comparable domain expertise but operates as engineering/consulting partner rather than systems integrator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/controltouch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 ControlTouch Systems