Top Process Automation Companies in the USA and Internationally
Top Suppliers
Process automation is the use of software specifically designed for control of robotics in a factory or plant. Such software is used to automate tasks that were originally done by people, for example moving widgets from A to B, part inspections, hazardous or difficult processes, etc.
The use of robotics automation in manufacturing has both advantages and disadvantages when compared to special-purpose machinery. For short manufacturing runs, the more expensive and slower automated robots are the preferred choice. They can be quickly adapted to nearly any task, and then cheaply re-adapted later for future work. For long mass manufacturing runs, highly custom one-off machinery is preferred as these are designed and highly optimized to perform a specific task at the lowest per-unit cost.
Types of Process Automation Suppliers
Software for automated robot manufacturing can range from the very simple to the very complex. The most simple would consist of hardcoding a specific set of actions for a specific machine and a specific task. Software could be designed so that low-skilled labor can quickly reprogram a machine, either through graphical user interfaces, or even ‘learning’ robots that can ‘watch and learn’. Other types of software are designed for collaborative robots, where multiple robot machines operate together to complete a task. For example, one robot arm can rotate a part while another spray paints it. Or two robot arms can lift something that one arm would be too weak to lift alone. Beyond controlling moving robots, robotic technology and software extends to ‘machine vision’, which is where a robot would visually inspect parts for quality assurance or to detect anomalies/failures within the manufacturing process.
Top 10 Process Automation Suppliers in the U.S.
The process automation market in the US is dominated by companies best known for selling products for factory automation, such as Emerson and Rockwell Automation, but also many companies that specialize specifically in robotics technologies such as computer vision, cooperative robots, and voice recognition.
Table 1 – Key U.S. Providers of Process Automation
Notes:
*Market capitalization values are as of Oct 9, 2018.
Summaries and Company Info
Emerson Electric Co. offers software, measurement and analytical instrumentation, valves, actuators, regulators, industry services and solutions, process control systems and solutions, digital plant solutions, services for the climate control industry, commercial air conditioning, commercial and industrial refrigeration, compressors, thermostats, monitoring equipment and electronic controls for gas and electric heating systems, gas valves for furnaces and water heaters, ignition systems for furnaces, sensors and thermistors for home appliances, temperature sensors and controls, compressors, precision flow controls, system diagnostics and controls that provide precise temperature management, and environmental control systems. Founded in 1890.
Applied Materials, Inc. produces a range of manufacturing equipment and services for fabrication of semiconductor chips. Provides integrated solutions – such as factory automation software – to optimize equipment, fab performance, and productivity for semiconductor, display, and other products. Founded in 1967.
Rockwell Automation Inc. provides control platforms, including controllers, electronic operator interface devices, electronic input/output devices, communication and networking products, industrial computers, industrial visualization and process control software, manufacturing execution systems, information solution software to enhance productivity and meet regulatory requirements, sensors, machine safety components, linear motion control products, motor starters, motor and circuit protection devices, AC/DC variable frequency drives, push buttons, signaling devices, termination and protection devices, relays, timers, and various packaged solutions, such as configured drives and motor control centers to automation and information solutions. Founded in 1903.
Cognex Corporation produces machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information for task automation primarily in manufacturing. Founded in 1981.
Teradyne, Inc. produces automatic test equipment for wafer level and device package testing in automotive, consumer, industrial, communications, electronic games, and other applications. Offers defense/aerospace test instrumentation and systems, storage test systems, circuit-board test and inspection systems, and provides collaborative robots for manufacturing. Founded in 1960.
National Instruments Corporation offers the very popular LabVIEW software used for measurement, automation, and control. Also offers software for FGPAs, wireless prototyping, for creating test and control applications, to test and measure applications in a manufacturing environment, to configure real-time testing applications, for technical data management, analysis, and report generation tools, for monitoring critical and ancillary rotating equipment, circuit design software, and systems management software. Produces hardware products and related driver software such as data acquisition, PXI chassis and controllers, image acquisition, modular instruments, motion control, distributed I/O, industrial communications interfaces, general purpose interface bus interfaces, embedded control hardware/software, and VME extension for instrumentation controllers. Founded in 1976.
Nuance Communications, Inc. provides voice recognition and natural language understanding solutions. Among other products, provides virtual assistants and connected services built on voice recognition, text-to-speech, natural language understanding, dialog, and text input technologies to automotive manufacturers, consumer electronic companies, and mobile and cable operators. Founded in 1992.
MKS Instruments, Inc. provides instruments, subsystems, and process control solutions that measure, monitor, control, power, deliver, and analyze critical parameters of manufacturing processes. Produces analytical and control solutions products, including gas analyzers, automation control products, I/O modules, automation software, electromechanical assemblies, flow and valve technologies, and integrated pressure measurement and control subsystems. Founded in 1961.
Brooks Automation, Inc. provides automation and cryogenic solutions. Offers automated transport, vacuum, and contamination controls solutions and services. Products include atmospheric and vacuum robots, tool automation systems for precision handling and clean wafer environments, robotic modules, automated cleaning and inspection systems for wafer carriers, and vacuum pumping and thermal management solutions for process vacuum applications. Founded in 1978.
Plexus Corp. provides a large range of electronic design and manufacturing services, including automated production solutions and complex automation design. Founded in 1979.
Top Global Process Automation Suppliers
Globally, Honeywell, Siemens, and ABB dominate as process automation suppliers. Many of these firms are major factory automation companies, such as Siemens, ABB, Tata Motors, FANUC, and Fiat Chrysler. The value of Kuka was estimated from the purchase price of a takeover in 2017 by a Chinese company.
Table 2: Top Global Process Automation Supplying Firms
Notes:
*Market capitalization values are as of October 9, 2018 and were converted to US dollars using foreign exchange rates.
Company Summaries and Info
Honeywell International Inc. is a worldwide diversified technology and manufacturing company. Provides aerospace products and services, sensing and security technologies, control, turbochargers, automotive products, electronic and advanced materials, specialty chemicals, process technology for refining and petrochemicals, and energy efficient products and solutions.
Siemens is a global powerhouse for power generation, transmission, and distribution to smart grid solutions; the efficient application of electrical energy; and in the areas of medical imaging and laboratory diagnostics. Has around 377,000 employees in more than 200 countries/regions operating in production and manufacturing plants worldwide.
ABB Ltd produces electrification, robotics and motion, industrial automation, and power grid products. Provides modular substation packages, control products, distribution automation products, circuit breakers, measuring and sensing devices, intelligent home solutions, robotics, motors, generators, drives, wind converters, components and systems for railways and related services, advanced process control software and manufacturing execution systems, electric ship propulsion systems, sensing, machine and factory automation solutions, measurement and analytical instrumentation, turbochargers, and remote monitoring. Founded in 1883.
Tata Motors Limited produces a range of automotive vehicles. It also manufactures engines for industrial and marine applications and factory automation equipment. Provides IT services, machine tools, and factory automation services. Founded in 1945.
FANUC manufactures factory automation systems, equipment, and robots. Products include CNC equipment, servo motors, industrial robots, laser systems, wire-cut electric discharge machines, and CNC drills.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. produces vehicles, components, and production systems. Among many product offerings, designs and produces industrial automation systems and related products for the automotive industry. Founded in 1899.
Pentair plc provides smart water solutions to meet filtration, separation, flow, and water management challenges. Products/services include water treatment equipment, energy-efficient pumps, point-of-entry/point-of-use filtration products, UV sanitization, desalination solutions, process solutions, valves, and automation controls for residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure applications. Founded in 1966.
Kuka has sales of around 3 billion euro and roughly 13,200 employees. Claims to be one of the world’s leading suppliers of intelligent automation solutions in the automotive and general industries. Founded in 1898.
Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. provides automation and control technologies in China, Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East. Offers a suite of industrial automation systems, proprietary software-centric distributed control systems/programmable logic controllers, and a proprietary nuclear power non-safety automation and control system. Provides integrated automation systems and services, mechanical and electrical solution services, and installation services. Founded in 1993.
B+M Surface Systems GmbH claims to be a leading supplier of fully automated painting plants and paint application systems for surfaces. Produces painting robots, paint supplies, atomisers, dosing systems, colour change systems, and both hardware and software for plant controls. 400+ employees. Founded in 1992.
Conclusion
Above we’ve listed the top domestic and global process automation suppliers. For comprehensive information on U.S. based commercial and industrial process automation companies, head over to Thomas Supplier Discovery, where we have a database of over 2000 listed automation systems companies.