What Automation World UK does

Automation World UK is an independent, UK-only B2B directory and shortlisting platform operated as a sole proprietorship by James Whitham under the trading name Automation World UK (website: automationworld.co). It curates 87+ admin-verified UK industrial automation suppliers, robotics integrators, and system providers across six industry sectors (general manufacturing, logistics & warehousing, food & beverage, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical) and thirteen capability areas, with a UK-wide geographic reach and no disclosed subsidiaries, parent company, or external investors.

The platform's core product is Project Matcher, a rule-based scoring engine that ingests seven buyer inputs (sector, automation challenge, budget, timeline, UK region) and returns up to five ranked supplier matches. It is surrounded by an application-specific tool suite — a Palletising System Selector, a Cobot Palletising Cycle Time Calculator, and an ROI Calculator — and an authored content layer comprising per-sector automation guides, an automation and robotics glossary, robot application guides, and an editorial blog. All products are self-serve; no app, API, SDK, or MCP surface is available, and the stack is a commodity WordPress deployment (Fasthosts hosting, Easy WP SMTP, Umami analytics).

The business model is a two-sided directory in which buyer access, Project Matcher, and brokered introductions are free, and revenue is generated exclusively from suppliers through tiered subscription-style listing engagement (Basic, Claimed, Verified, Premium, Platinum). Distribution is entirely digital and relies on SEO and content rather than paid acquisition or sales outreach. The company is bootstrapped, with no funding rounds and no disclosed revenue, and operates as a single trader / very small team.

Name

Automation World UK

Legal name

James Whitham

Website

https://automationworld.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Automation World UK is an independent UK-based B2B directory and matching platform, operated as a sole proprietorship by James Whitham, that connects UK manufacturers with 87+ verified industrial automation suppliers and integrators across six sectors via a rule-based Project Matcher tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Supplier Marketplace

NAICS

Machinery Manufacturing (333), Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN), End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN), Automated / Robotics-Enabled Fulfillment Centers (AS/RS, AMRs, Goods-to-Person) (TLALADAL)

Keywords

• Industrial automation directory
• Supplier matching platform
• Robotics integrator matching
• Automation procurement tools
• UK supplier listings

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Supplier Listing Tiers: The platform offers tiered supplier listings (Basic, Claimed, Verified, Premium, Platinum). Higher tiers reflect supplier's level of engagement with the directory, not an assessment of competence. Free to use for buyers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Automation World UK operates a curated online directory of UK industrial automation suppliers, robotics integrators, and system providers, paired with a Project Matcher tool that uses a rule-based scoring engine to shortlist up to five suppliers against buyer project requirements. The platform also offers specialised calculators (Palletising System Selector, Cobot Palletising Cycle Time Calculator, ROI Calculator) and supports brokered introductions between buyers and suppliers.

Product overview

Automation World UK operates a unified B2B procurement platform combining a verified supplier directory with intelligent matching tools and specialised calculators. The core offering consists of the Project Matcher (an AI-assisted supplier shortlisting tool using a rule-based scoring engine), the UK Industrial Automation Supplier Directory (87+ verified suppliers across 6 sectors), and supporting tools including the Palletising System Selector, Cobot Palletising Cycle Time Calculator, and ROI Calculator. These tools are complemented by educational content through Industry Automation Guides, an Automation & Robotics Glossary, and the UK Automation Blog. The platform serves UK manufacturers seeking robotics integrators and automation suppliers, with a matching algorithm that scores suppliers by capability, budget, region, and sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UK Industrial Automation Supplier Directory A curated online directory listing UK robotics integrators, automation specialists, and system providers organised by industry sector, capability, and region. Suppliers can subscribe to tiered listings (Basic, Claimed, Verified, Premium, Platinum) to gain visibility and receive qualified project introductions. Buyers can browse listings for free.
• Project Matcher A rule-based scoring engine that scores every verified UK automation supplier against a buyer's project requirements (sector, capability, budget, region, timeline) and returns up to 5 ranked shortlist results. Free for buyers to use; brokered introductions are also offered at no charge.
• Palletising System Selector An interactive tool that recommends palletising system types (manual, cobot, or robot) based on throughput requirements, product characteristics, SKU count, and infeed configuration. Targets UK manufacturers planning palletising automation.
• Cobot Palletising Cycle Time Calculator A modelling tool that calculates cobot palletising cycle time and throughput against application parameters such as pick, travel, place, settle times, and system overhead. Designed for UK manufacturers evaluating cobot palletising investments.
• ROI Calculator A payback calculator that estimates the return on investment for industrial automation projects based on labour costs and shift patterns. Used by UK manufacturers building the business case for automation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Results delivered in under 3 minutes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• FasthostsminorOthers · 1 March 2026Hosting provider that stores data on servers located in the UK/EEA. Part of standard website operations infrastructure.
• Easy WP SMTPminorOthers · 1 March 2026Email routing service used to send transactional emails (confirmation and follow-up emails) from the WordPress installation. Technical infrastructure component.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Automation.com: Industrial automation media and resource site (Informa/Penton) covering process control, robotics, and automation suppliers. Adjacent — overlapping content/audience but not a competing supplier directory monetization model.
• The Robot Report: Robotics industry news and analysis outlet covering suppliers, integrators, and deployments. Not a directory, but overlaps with Automation World UK's content-led demand generation in the robotics integration space.
• Yardstick Tools (Industrial Automation directories / trade publications): Trade publications and resource portals like Control Engineering cover automation suppliers, technologies, and integrator listings. Comparable only loosely as ecosystem participants that compete for the same UK automation buyer's attention, not direct directory peers.

Broad incumbents

• DirectIndustry: Industrial B2B marketplace (part of VirtualExpo) with categorized supplier listings, RFQ capabilities, and sector hubs for automation, packaging, and robotics. Similar directory-plus-procurement model serving industrial machinery buyers globally.
• ThomasNet: Largest North American industrial supplier directory, offering verified supplier listings, sourcing tools, and request-for-quote workflows. Comparable to Automation World UK as a curated B2B directory connecting manufacturers with industrial suppliers, though broader in scope and US-led.
• Kompass: Global B2B directory spanning industrial machinery, services, and automation suppliers across multiple geographies. Comparable as an established paid-listing B2B directory model, with greater breadth but less UK automation vertical depth.

Direct peers

• IndustryNet: US-focused industrial manufacturer and supplier directory organized by product category, with lead-generation tools for buyers. Directly comparable as a curated, category-organized B2B directory for industrial machinery and automation suppliers.
• IQS Directory: Industrial manufacturer and supplier directory organized by capability and sector with detailed company listings and request-for-quote functionality. Highly comparable as a sector-organized B2B directory targeting industrial machinery and automation buyers.

Regional players

• Tradeindia: Large India-focused B2B marketplace with industrial machinery and automation supplier listings. Not a direct UK competitor, but illustrative of the B2B directory/marketplace model Automation World UK operates in a different geography.

Emerging players

• EU Automation: Industrial automation parts supplier and obsolete-component specialist with a catalog-style directory of automation brands and products. Comparable in that it serves UK/EU automation buyers seeking suppliers, though primarily distribution rather than matchmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automationworlduk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Automation World UK