When it comes to simplifying industrial processes by integrating factory and process automation solutions and industrial software, Autonics USA is the name so many have come to trust.
One of 13 global subsidiaries of South Korea’s Autonics (with 100 offices globally, 1,600 employees, over 35,000 SKUs, and 65 registered patents), numerous industries rely on Autonics USA for its expertise in optimizing sensors, controllers, safety products, data acquisition, and management solutions.
Through its innovative product design, Autonics USA helps its customers build smarter, more efficient factories. As the company puts it, “making the impossible possible” is achieved through a commitment to continued innovation, adapting to the needs of industry, and strong foundational relationships.
David Upton, Regional Sales Manager, says that staying at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry is currently Autonics USA’s biggest challenge and opportunity. With the rapid growth of technologies like robotics, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), and smart factories, the automation market is changing quickly. “We must maintain a close relationship with our clients and be ready to adjust right away to their evolving needs if we want to stay competitive,” he says.
Rising to the occasion
Across Autonics’ global footprint is a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, which originates at its R&D Center in Seoul and radiates throughout its global network. Through this work, the company is developing technology that redefines factory automation. Its proprietary solutions and way of doing business have strengthened its competitiveness around the world.
The company invests approximately 11 percent of its annual revenue in R&D, and more than a fifth of its expertise is dedicated to research and development activities, which is why it continues to evolve in products and culture and remains a market leader. “We are in a favorable position, capitalizing on key trends in industrial automation while being mindful of challenges in supply chain management and competition,” Upton explains. “Our continued focus on technological innovation, especially in the automation and semiconductor sectors, will likely drive our growth in the coming years.”
Most recently, the launch of a modular multi-channel power controller series (SPRS) has elevated the ability to accurately control the temperature of factory equipment and machinery.
Got power? Get control
The modular design of the SPRS series offers efficient power control thanks to a power distribution control function that supports up to 36 units, with separate control and power modules and alarm functions available. Phase control includes standard control and feedback control (constant voltage, current, and power), and cycle control provides fixed/variable controls.
“Because it is a modular type, it can be configured as a single-phase or three-phase system depending on the combination. This makes it easier for both us (the manufacturer) and our customers to secure product inventory,” explains Technical Manager Jimmy Kim. The series also includes various functions from power distribution control and alarm history to self-diagnosis, alarm functions, and many more that simplify the process. Heater breaks, fuse breaks, overheating, and overcurrent are issues of the past thanks to this innovative modular solution.
The SPRS series is designed to offer easy maintenance and communication, as the modules support four types of communication options. The power modules are available in 14 models rated by current options, and users can employ up to four power modules simultaneously.
For Kim, “This new product satisfies many of the needs of the American market. The load power voltage supports up to 490VAC and has obtained UL Listed certification based on this power voltage.”
Finally, the intuitive design enables easy initial setup, and the fuse replacement process is also very straightforward, which serves the American market well, a major focus of the company.
As Kim notes, “Another task we are working on is providing PC/PLC-sample examples to support users of high-performance products. We create examples of products that can meet a variety of customer requirements, including the most popular Allen-Bradley products in the U.S. market. These examples can be downloaded from our website without the need to register contact information.”
Ease of use is always emphasized where innovation is concerned at Autonics, and beyond product innovation, the team has evolved its service delivery offering to meet its customers where they are. In October of last year, a Live Chat was launched where customers can ask technical questions about the various products without requiring a separate login process, which has been well-received and greatly utilized by the market.
Safety first, performance always
Further to improved performance, Autonics USA is also working to bring safety solutions to the market. Through its product development efforts, it has become a trusted provider of safety components for many industries, including the U.S. food and beverage industry.
“Our solutions are well-suited to this sector thanks to the reliability of our products and the availability of models with high protection ratings, including IP69K, which is essential for food-safe environments,” says Dei-Wei Lee, Regional Sales Manager.
Recently, Autonics USA partnered with a major beverage company to bring its popular soft drinks to the market more safely and efficiently. Its SFLA Series Safety Light Curtains supported the packaging process, an application for box building or carton assembly. The light curtain outperformed the competition, minimizing lead times and making replacement simpler. Autonics’ solution was compatible, reliable, and efficient, which helped the customer avoid production delays.
SFLA Series Light Curtains feature high impact resistance, which is a major advantage in environments where mechanical vibration or accidental contact is common. They offer reliable hand and body protection, which keeps the operator safe during high-speed, repetitive tasks. The installation and support of these products has also been streamlined and supported by free software that provides intuitive tools for fast setup, parameter tuning, and real-time diagnostics. Doing so, as Lee notes, “without additional licensing fees” is an ideal solution for OEMs and integrators managing tight timelines and budgets.
He adds, “Separately, in another department of the same plant, our IP69K-rated light curtains are being used in an application that involves packaging syrup, where thorough and frequent washdowns with hot water and chemicals are standard. The IP69K rating ensures the light curtain can withstand these high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning processes without compromising performance,” a feature that has gained the attention of another plant in a different state.
This is just one example of the level of commitment to innovation, industrial safety, and improved performance that Autonics USA brings to industrial operations with its robust, hygienic, and easy-to-integrate solutions, particularly in the food and beverage sector. At the same time, the company continues to strive for constant internal improvement that positions it as an award-winning industry leader.
Award-winning results
Autonics has been recognized not only as a trusted global brand but also as an employer of choice. Its deeply rooted commitment to the research and design of market-changing products and continuous improvement has also helped produce a market-leading culture.
The company has received numerous awards, including a nod in both 2019 and 2023 from the Ministry of Science and ICT for being an excellent corporate research center; numerous design awards; and countless designations that acknowledge its determination to be an empathetic employer that focuses on work-life balance, resulting in satisfied employees and customers alike. Autonics as a whole and its U.S. subsidiary have much to be proud of, which is why they confidently showcase their capabilities at industry events, bringing their automation solutions to a great number of operations, creating new connections in the market, and strengthening existing ones.
“This entails not only developing new products but also ensuring that we’re reachable and visible through marketing and sales as well as industry trade shows, where we can present our most recent solutions and keep abreast of market developments. It’s about striking a balance between innovation and solid client relations,” Upton explains.
SEMICON 2025 will be an excellent opportunity for Autonics USA to do just that. This year, the event is being held in Phoenix, which excites Upton and the team because of Arizona’s proximity to players from key semiconductor-manufacturing regions such as Austin, Texas, who may not have made the journey to the previous venue in San Francisco.
Upton says that having the opportunity to meet and converse with more customers promises “a better understanding of the industry’s evolving needs. Every show is an opportunity to learn more about new trends and challenges in the market, which helps us with both short- and long-term planning. We know that industrial trade shows don’t always lead to immediate sales, so we don’t view them as direct revenue-generating events. We see them as important opportunities to showcase our products and team, knowing that the relationships and insights we gain now will pay off down the line.”
Navigating the future
With events like SEMICON on the horizon, opportunities abound for Autonics USA, but the company is also navigating a challenge that is not unique in the market: tariffs. Before July 1, 2025, Autonics USA absorbed tariff fees, which was a competitive advantage, but given the circumstances, those costs will have to be incorporated into its prices going forward.
“We’ve done our best to shield our customers from these fees for as long as possible. As for the global impact, Autonics USA primarily focuses on the U.S. and Canadian markets, so the direct global effects of these tariffs are uncertain. Autonics is a global company with business hubs in many countries, so the broader international operations may not be as heavily impacted. The main concern for us will be the tariffs on products entering the U.S., which could affect our operations here locally. That impact is still to be determined,” notes Upton.
Fortunately for the company, its proprietary products have set the standard in industrial automation, and its commitment to relationships and customer support has reassured its customers that it is worth the investment, as it promises to remain a leader now and long into the future.
In its commitment to innovation, industry-leading products, and relationships with both customers and employees, Autonics USA sets the standard in all that it does, always committed to finding ways to improve its own performance and the performance of others.
