Top Industrial Automation Companies Transforming the Future

Industrial automation is changing how factories work, making them smarter and safer. This article looks at ten top companies leading this change. They use advanced technologies like digital twins, robotics, and process automation to improve production and worker safety. These companies are key to the future of manufacturing and the move to Industry 5.0.
Key Takeaways
- ABB is a leader in robotics and motion control solutions.
- Siemens excels in digitalization and automation technologies.
- Schneider Electric focuses on energy management and automation.
- Honeywell offers advanced software for industrial automation.
- Mitsubishi Electric is known for its reliable automation solutions.
ABB
ABB is a leading technology company that helps transform society and industry for a more productive and sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation, and motion portfolio, ABB boosts its customers’ performance to new heights. Its traditional core activities include power generation, transmission and distribution; industrial automation, and robotics.
ABB serves over 100 countries and supports various industries such as automotive, data centers, mining, and smart cities. The company is headquartered in Västerås, Sweden, and Zürich, Switzerland, and has 105,600 employees worldwide. In 2021, ABB was named one of the world’s most innovative companies by Clarivate, a global leader in analytics.
Siemens
Siemens is a leader in infrastructure and energy solutions, as well as automation and software for industry. The company is one of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies. Siemens provides laboratory diagnostics, medical imaging equipment, and clinical IT solutions. Their technology aims to create more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, smarter buildings and grids, cleaner transportation, and advanced healthcare.
Siemens is known across various sectors including transport, healthcare, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The company is dedicated to building smarter and more sustainable products and services, using the latest technology breakthroughs to achieve this. Siemens’s industrial automation drives digital transformation forward each day with automation concepts such as Totally Integrated Automation (TIA), ensuring seamless interaction of all components.
Here are some key facts about Siemens:
- Revenue: US$20 billion
- Employees: 293,000 (as of 2020)
- Net Income: €4.2 billion (as of 2020)
- Headquarters: Berlin, Germany
Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, making it one of the top automation companies to work for.
Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a leader in energy management and automation systems, offering both software and hardware solutions. The company focuses on digital transformation by integrating top-notch process and energy technologies. They connect products, controls, software, and services from end-point to cloud, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient energy management.
Headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France, Schneider Electric operates in 117 countries with 560 office locations and employs 135,000 people. In 2020, the company reported revenues of €25.2 billion and a net income of €2.1 billion.
Schneider Electric’s industrial automation solutions enhance system lifecycles and improve the quality and flexibility of manufacturing processes. They aim to make the most of energy while promoting sustainability and progress for all.
Honeywell
Honeywell International Inc. is a Fortune 100 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, employing around 110,000 people. The company is known for its diverse range of products and services, including avionics, aircraft engines, and home and building technologies.
Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) is a leader in automation control, helping industries like oil and gas, energy, and chemicals operate more efficiently and safely. HPS supports the entire lifecycle of industrial facilities, from project design to engineering.
Honeywell Robotics is another key player, certified by the Robotic Industries Association. They focus on using computer vision, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to transform traditional warehouses into smart infrastructures.
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric, a key player in the Japanese multinational Mitsubishi Group, stands out as a global leader in electrical and electronics manufacturing. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs around 145,650 people. Their innovative products, especially in smart automation solutions, significantly boost the global automation market.
Mitsubishi Electric uses advanced engineering techniques to offer reliable factory automation (FA) solutions, focusing on the next generation of manufacturing. They supply many other automation companies and provide a wide range of automation and processing technologies. These include:
- Controllers
- Drive products
- Power distribution and control products
- Electrical discharge machines
- Electron beam machines
- Laser processing machines
- Computerized numerical controllers
- Industrial robots
In FY 2020, Mitsubishi Electric reported a net profit of 193.1 billion yen, making it one of the top automation companies to work for in 2022.
The company also develops industrial robots with smart features like force sensing and 3D vision. These robots can work in collaborative environments and deliver top-notch accuracy and speed in various applications.
Yokogawa Electric
Yokogawa Electric Corporation, founded in 1915, has over 100 years of experience in the measurement, control, and information businesses. The company is known for its reliable and efficient industrial automation solutions. Yokogawa’s offerings include smart control systems like PLC (programmable logic controller), DCS (distributed control system), and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), which make automation easy and hassle-free.
Yokogawa’s brand for industrial automation and control, OpreX, stands for excellence in technology and solutions. The company combines superior technology with engineering services, project management, and maintenance to deliver top-notch operational efficiency, safety, quality, and reliability.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Yokogawa Electric Corporation employs 17,715 people and operates 118 companies and 84 subsidiaries in 61 countries.
Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. Founded in 1903 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company connects the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible. In doing so, the company aims to make the world more productive and sustainable.
Rockwell Automation specializes in industrial automation and manufacturing, as well as building safety products and automation systems. Their control systems allow real-time monitoring, helping to streamline operations and minimize downtime.
Revenue
In 2021, Rockwell Automation’s North American revenue was $4,078 million, making it one of the top companies in the industry.
Smart Manufacturing
Rockwell Automation equips you with the information and insights to optimize productivity, quality, risk management, and sustainability. This approach, often referred to as smart manufacturing, is transforming the future of industrial operations.
Emerson
Emerson is a technology, software, and engineering company with a revenue of $15 billion. They focus on making products and services healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable for industrial and commercial markets. Emerson won the title of ‘Industrial IoT Company of the Year’ in 2022 out of 4,000 nominations.
Emerson combines decades of technology and engineering expertise to solve complex challenges with innovative solutions. They provide automation solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential markets, helping customers achieve top performance.
Emerson is a global source of process control, isolation, and safety valve solutions for the energy, power, chemical, life science, and mining industries.
Omron
Omron, founded in 1933, is a pioneer in industrial automation and advanced technologies. The company offers a wide range of products and services, from industrial automation and electronic components to social systems like automated ticket gates and solar power conditioners. Omron operates in about 120 countries and regions, making it a global player in the industry.
Omron’s core technology, "Sensing & Control + Think," drives its innovation. The company manufactures control equipment and electronic components, and also provides solutions for social systems and healthcare. With 30,000 employees, Omron serves customers in over 130 countries.
Revenue
Omron’s revenue stands at approximately $6 billion, reflecting its significant impact on the market. The company continues to grow and expand its reach globally.
AVEVA
AVEVA is a leading player in the industrial automation sector, known for its secure cloud platform and diverse applications. These tools help businesses improve their operations and boost sustainability. AVEVA connects clients with AI-enriched insights, aiding in the delivery of energy, food, medicine, and infrastructure.
Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AVEVA supports a global customer base with 6,400 employees and 5,000 partners. The company is dedicated to providing consistent, enterprise-wide visibility into all plant operations, facilitating business agility and resilience.
Key Offerings
- Industrial Cloud Platform
- AI-Enriched Insights
- Data Management and Visualization
Global Presence
AVEVA has a strong international presence, with a significant number of employees and partners worldwide. This global reach ensures that they can support a wide range of industries and applications.
Financial Performance
In recent years, AVEVA has reported impressive financial results, with a revenue of approximately $1.576 billion. This places them among the top industrial automation companies globally.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the landscape of industrial automation is rapidly evolving, driven by innovative companies that are pushing the boundaries of technology. These companies are not only making manufacturing more efficient but also safer for workers. By embracing advancements like digital twins, robotics, and process automation, they are setting the stage for the future of industry. As we move towards Industry 5.0, the integration of these technologies will become even more critical. It’s an exciting time for the sector, and the companies highlighted in this article are at the forefront of this transformation. If you notice any discrepancies or have suggestions, feel free to reach out and help us keep this information accurate and up-to-date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is industrial automation?
Industrial automation uses technology like computers, robots, and control systems to run manufacturing processes without much human help. This makes production faster and more efficient.
Why is industrial automation important?
Industrial automation is important because it helps factories work better and faster. It also makes the workplace safer for workers by taking over dangerous tasks.
Who are some top companies in industrial automation?
Some top companies in industrial automation include ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Honeywell, Mitsubishi Electric, Yokogawa Electric, Rockwell Automation, Emerson, Omron, and AVEVA.
What are digital twins in industrial automation?
Digital twins are virtual models of physical objects or systems. In industrial automation, they help monitor and improve real-world processes by simulating them in a digital environment.
How does industrial automation impact worker safety?
Industrial automation improves worker safety by taking over tasks that are dangerous or repetitive. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace.
What is the future of industrial automation?
The future of industrial automation looks promising with more use of AI and robotics. These technologies will make manufacturing even more flexible and efficient, leading to new ways of producing goods.