Today competition in the industrial automation industry is fierce with companies being driven to become PLC manufactures and develop their own PLC brands in order to keep up and stay in front of the technology curve.
All the big industrial automation brands are now manufacturing their own PLCs. Some of the major PLC manufacturers have diversified to become large conglomerate corporations include brand names like Siemens, Mitsubishi Electric, ABB, Schneider Electric, Hitachi, Panasonic and Fuji Electric. Other brand names have remained solely focused on manufacture of PLCs and other industrial automation equipment like Rockwell Automation, Omron, Keyence, Unitronics, Fatek, Idec and Yokagawa.
As the industrial automation landscape changes some PLC manufacturers have come and gone while others have merged to stay competitive. Some companies have added a PLC brand in the market to their portfolio of products via company acquisition or takeover. PLC manufacturers such as General Electric (GE Fanuc), Telemecanique, Square-D and Cutler-Hammer where leading PLC providers in their hay day but are no longer being developed or manufactured and have made way for the next generation of PLCs to enter the market.
Below is an up to date list of 35 of the best PLC manufacturers in the world for 2020 in alphabetic order….
List of PLC Manufactures for 2020
- ABB (B&R Automation)
- Beckhoff
- Bosch (Rexroth)
- Controllino
- Delta Electronics
- Eaton (Cutler-Hammer)
- Emerson (General Electric)
- Entertron Industries
- Fatek
- Festo
- Fuji Electric
- General Industrial Controls (GIC)
- Hitachi
- Honeywell
- Idec Corportion
- IFM Electronic
- Keyence
- Kinco
- Koyo (Automation Direct)
- LS Electric (LSIS)
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Omron
- Panasonic
- Phoenix Contact
- Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley)
- RS Automation
- RS Enterprises
- Schneider Electric
- Siemens
- Toshiba
- Unitronics
- Velocio
- Wago
- Wecon Technology
- Yokagawa
Most Popular PLCs
One of the best ways to judge which PLC is most popular is by market share. There was a study done by Interact Analysis in 2017 to determine PLC market share of the various PLC manufacturers.
The most popular PLC, according to market share, was the Siemens Simatic PLC. The second most popular PLC was Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley PLC. Followed by Mitsubishi Melsec PLC, Schneider Modicon PLC and the Omron Sysmac PLC.
The complete list of the 17 most popular PLCs and their manufacturing company, according to market share, is shown below:
| Market Share Ranking | PLC Manufacturers | PLC Brand Name/s |
| 1 | Siemens | Simatic |
| 2 | Rockwell Automation | Allen Bradley |
| 3 | Mitsubishi Electric | Melsec |
| 4 | Schneider Electric | Modicon |
| 5 | Omron | Sysmac |
| 6 | Emerson Electric (GE) | RX3i & VersaMax (GE Fanuc) |
| 7 | Keyence | KV & V-8000 |
| 8 | ABB (B&R Automation) | AC500 X20 & X90 |
| 9 | Bosch | Rexroth ICL |
| 10 | Hitachi | EH & H |
| 11 | B&R Automation (part of ABB) | X20 & X90 |
| 12 | Phoenix Contact | AXC |
| 13 | Panasonic | FP |
| 14 | LS Electric (LSIS) | XG, Master-K & GM |
| 15 | Eaton | XC & EasyE4 (Cutler-Hammer) |
| 16 | Delta Electronic | DVP, AS & AH |
| 17 | Fuji Electric | Micrex |
Unfortunately the article by Interact Analysis isn’t available to view online anymore 🙁
Leading PLC Manufactures Around the World
The world economy has really opened up with the advent of globalization. The industrial automation industry is no exception with PLC manufacturers having their operation headquarters and production facilities all around the world.
The leading PLC manufacturers all have a global presence all around the world. They have established operation headquarters in America, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Taiwan, China, Israel and Republic of Korea. The countries with the largest number of leading PLC manufacturers have their headquarters located in Japan, America and Germany.
Here is a table of the leading PLC manufacturers and the corresponding countries where their headquarters are located:
| Country Headquarters | PLC Manufacturers |
| JAPAN | Mitsubishi Electric (Melsec) Hitachi Omron (Sysmac) Toshiba Keyence Yokagawa Fuji Electric (Micrex) Panasonic Idec Corportion Koyo (Automation Direct) |
| AMERICA | Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) Emerson (GE Fanuc) Honeywell Eaton (Cutler-Hammer) Velocio Entertron Industries |
| GERMANY | Siemens (Simatic) Bosch (Rexroth) Beckhoff Wago Phoenix Contact IFM Electronic |
| SWITZERLAND | ABB (B&R Automation) |
| FRANCE | Schneider Electric (Modicon) |
| AUSTRIA | Controllino |
| TAIWAN | Delta Electronics Fatek |
| REPUBLIC OF KOREA | LS Electric (LSIS) RS Automation |
| ISRAEL | Unitronics |
| CHINA | Wecon Technology Kinco |
| INDIA | RS Enterprises General Industrial Controls (GIC) |
The Top PLC Manufacturers in the Industrial Automation Industry
The majority of PLC manufacturers involved in the industrial automation industry are also heavily involved in manufacture of other industrial automation equipment. Some have become large conglomerate organizations not only involved in industrial automation but other sectors such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, automotive, aviation, robotics, mobility, railways, the list goes on.
However there are some PLC companies that are purely involved in manufacture of industrial automation components such as Rockwell Automation, Keyence, Beckhoff, Wago, Koyo and Unitronics. And then there are smaller companies that specialize in manufacture of PLCs only such as Controllino, Velocio and Entertron Industries.
To figure out who the top PLC manufacturers are we’ve gone through each company’s annual financial report (year ending 2019) and extracted their net sales revenue from their industrial automation business sector.
The top 3 PLC manufacturers, according to industrial automation revenue, are Siemens with $18,281 million USD, Mitsubishi Electric with $13,346 million USD and Emerson with $12,202 million USD. Followed closely by Hitachi, Bosch, Schneider Electric, Eaton and Rockwell Automation.
Here is a list of the top 25 PLC manufacturers ranked in order of industrial automation net annual sales revenue, along with their overall consolidated net annual sales revenue. Revenue is for year ending 2019 and have all been converted to millions of USD, for ease of comparison.
In the Top 25 PLC Manufacturers Table there is also some handy navigation links that jump to the PLC manufacturers profile. Here we outlining their company’s origins, country headquarters, core business sectors, latest sales revenue figures, global presence and the PLC brands that they have on offer.
Table of the Top 25 PLC Manufacturers Ranked in Order of Industrial Automation Net Annual Sales Revenue
| Rank | PLC Manufacturers | Industrial Automation Revenue (millions of USD) | Consolidated Revenue (millions of USD) |
| 1 | Siemens (Simatic) | $18,281 | $98,636 |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Electric (Melsec) | $13,346 | $41,120 |
| 3 | Emerson (GE Fanuc) | $12,202 | $18,372 |
| 4 | Hitachi | $8,654 | $86,250 |
| 5 | Bosch (Rexroth) | $8,523 | $88,319 |
| 6 | Schneider Electric (Modicon) | $7,172 | $30,861 |
| 7 | Eaton (Cutler-Hammer) | $7,148 | $21,390 |
| 8 | Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) | $6,694 | $6,694 |
| 9 | ABB (B&R Automation) | $6,273 | $27,978 |
| 10 | Keyence | $5,341 | $5,341 |
| 11 | Honeywell | $5,146 | $36,709 |
| 12 | Omron (Sysmac) | $3,564 | $7,819 |
| 13 | Yokagawa | $3,371 | $3,679 |
| 14 | Fuji Electric (Micrex) | $2,934 | $8,323 |
| 15 | Phoenix Contact | $2,818 | $2,818 |
| 16 | Toshiba | $2,302 | $33,602 |
| 17 | Panasonic | $1,859 | $72,805 |
| 18 | Delta Electronics | $1,216 | $7,675 |
| 19 | Wago | $1,074 | $1,074 |
| 20 | Beckhoff | $1,026 | $1,026 |
| 21 | IFM Electronic | $1,023 | $1,023 |
| 22 | Idec Corportion | $565 | $565 |
| 23 | LS Electric (LSIS) | $237 | $1,593 |
| 24 | Koyo (Automation Direct) | $126 | $126 |
| 25 | Unitronics | $38 | $38 |
1. Siemens
Siemens is a multinational conglomerate with its headquarters based in Munich, Germany. It was founded by Werner von Siemens and Johann Georg Halske in 1847 with development of new technology based on the telegraph. Today it has grown to become one of the largest industrial manufacturing companies in Europe focusing on electrification, industrial automation and digitization.
Siemens offer a large range of products and services extending into the following business sectors:
The reported consolidated global revenue of Siemens and its subsidiaries in 2019 was approximately €86.8 billion and they employed around 385,000 people worldwide. Siemens Digital Industries business sector is involved in manufacture of a wide range of industrial automation products and generated over €16 billion in net sales revenue in 2019.
For the latest Siemens economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Siemens has established a global support network with offices, production and manufacturing plants in over 200 countries and regions. To view the Siemens worldwide presence map click here and then scroll down after the page loads.
Siemens manufacture a large range of PLC products. The Siemens modular PLC brand is known as the Simatic PLC. The latest PLCs that they have on offer includes:
- Siemens Logo PLC Logic Modules
- Siemens Simatic S7-1200 Basic PLC System
- Siemens Simatic S7-300 Advanced PLC System
- Siemens Simatic S7-400 Advanced PLC System
- Siemens Simatic S7-1500 Advanced PLC System
- Industrial Automation
- Building Technology
- Gas and Power
- Smart Infrastructure
- Medical Technology
- Mobility
- Software
- Consumer Products
- Financial Services
2. Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric is a multinational electrical and electronic products manufacturer with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It is part of the Mitsubishi group of companies. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation was established in 1921 as a mass producer of electric fans. Today Mitsubishi Electric is one of the leading names in the manufacture of electrical products for the industrial and domestic sectors.
Mitsubishi Electric offer a large range of products and services focusing on the following business sectors:
- Energy and Electric Systems
- Industrial Automation Systems
- Information and Communication Systems
- Electronic Devices
- Home Appliances
The reported consolidated global revenue of Mitsubishi Electric in 2019 was approximately ¥4.5 trillion and its Industrial Automation Systems business sector generated over ¥1.4 billion. Mitsubishi Electric has over 145,800 employees worldwide.
For the latest Mitsubishi Electric economic data please visit their corporate data page.
Mitsubishi Electric has established a global presence with subsidiary companies located around the globe in the North America, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East & Africa. To see all of Mitsubishi Electrics worldwide locations click here.
Mitsubishi Electric manufacture the MELSEC range of PLC products. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-F Compact Series (Latest)
- Mitsubishi MELSEC-F Compact Series
- Mitsubishi MELSEC-L Standard Series
- Mitsubishi MELSEC iQ-R Series (Latest)
- Mitsubishi MELSEC-Q Series
3. Emerson (General Electric)
Emerson Electric is a global organization with its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Emerson was founded in 1890 when brothers Charles and Alexander Meston teamed up with the financial backing of John Wesley Emerson to form The Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, Missouri. They originally started out developing electric motors and manufactured the first electric fans sold in North America.
Today Emerson have a focus on two core business platforms being Automation Solutions and Commercial and Residential Solutions. Their main offering of products are:
- Measurement Instrumentation
- Valves, Actuators & Regulators
- Fluid Control & Pneumatics
- Control & Safety Systems
- Electrical Components & Lighting
- Welding, Assembly & Cleaning
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Refrigeration & Cold Chain
- Professional Tools and Vacuums
- Home Products
- Commercial Building Solutions
The reported global revenue of Emerson Electric in 2019 was approximately $18.4 billion of which approximately $12.2 billion was generated from their Automation Solutions business sector. Emerson Electric employ around 88,000 people worldwide.
For the latest Emerson economic data please visit their investor page.
Emerson Electric has established a global support network with locations around the globe. To find your nearest Emerson branch please visit their contact us page.
In 2019 Emerson Electric announced it had completed the purchase of General Electrics “Intelligent Platforms” division. Thus acquiring its GE Fanuc Programmable Logic Controller brand and technologies. This has resulted in some GE Fanuc PLCs being discontinued and others being merging into the Emerson Electric range.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Emerson Electric manufacture includes:
- Emerson RX3i Series PAC (Replaces GE Fanuc Series 90-30 and 90-70 PLCs)
- Emerson VersaMax Series PLC (Formerly GE Fanuc VersaMax)
4. Hitachi
Hitachi is a multinational conglomerate with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Hitachi was founded in 1910 with the production of a 5 horsepower electric induction motor. Throughout the years they has been involved in new and emerging technologies.
Today Hitachi has greatly diversified with over 800 subsidiaries. Its main business focus is broken up into the following sectors:
- IT systems
- Social Infrastructure & Industrial Systems
- Electronic Systems & Equipment
- Construction Machinery
- High Functional Materials and Components
- Automotive Systems
- Smart Life & Eco-Friendly Systems
The reported global revenue of Hitachi in 2019 was approximately ¥9.4 trillion of which approximately ¥951 billion was generated from their Electronic Systems & Equipment business sector. Hitachi employ over 295,000 people worldwide.
For the latest Hitachi economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Hitachi has established a global support network in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania. To view their global network please click here.
The latest range of PLC products that Hitachi manufacture includes:
- Hitachi Micro-EH Compact Series PLC
- Hitachi EH-150 Modular Series PLC
- Hitachi EHV Modular Series PLC
- Hitachi H-Series High Performance PLC
5. Bosch (Rexroth)
Rexroth is a subsidiary business unit within the Bosch group that manufactures a range of PLCs and other industrial automation products.
Bosch currently has its headquarters in Gerlingen, Germany. It was founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch who in opened the Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering in Stuttgart, Germany. They went on to develop early automotive ignition systems and over the years have diversified their offerings and expanded into global markets.
Today the Bosch Group has its operations divided into four main business sectors:
- Mobility Solutions
- Industrial Technology
- Consumer Goods
- Energy and Building Technology
The reported consolidated global revenue of Bosch in 2019 was approximately €77.7 billion. The Industrial Technology business sector of the company includes industrial automation products which contributed €7.5 billion in sales revenue. Bosch currently employ over 403,000 people worldwide.
For the latest Bosch economic data please visit their key figures page.
Bosch has established a global network with 460 subsidiaries and regional companies. To further explore their global reach please visit their websites worldwide page.
Bosch manufacture the Rexroth ICL range of PLC products. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Bosch ILC-CML PLC system
- Bosch ILC-XM PLC system
- Bosch ILC-VPB PLC system
6. Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a multinational company with its headquarters based in Rueil-Malmaison, France. It was founded in the 19th century when the Schneider brothers entered the steel and machine industry by investing in Creusot foundries. Over the years the company has expanded into new markets but in more recent times has made strategic acquisitions in order to focus on manufacturing products for the electrical, energy management and industrial automation industries.
Schneider Electric have split its business up into two main sectors.
- Energy Management – Buildings, data centers, industrial and infrastructure industries.
- Industrial Automation – Discrete, process and hybrid industries.
The reported consolidated global revenue of Schneider Electric in 2019 was approximately €27.2 billion with their Industrial Automation business sector contributing over €6.3 billion. Schneider Electric employ over 135,000 people worldwide.
For the latest Schneider Electric economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Schneider Electric has established a global support network with over 115 locations around the globe. To find your nearest office location click here to access their global directory.
Schneider Electric manufacture a large range of PLC products. The Schneider Electric PLC brand is known as the Modicon PLC. The latest PLCs that they have on offer includes:
- Schneider Modicon M221 PLC
- Schneider Modicon M241 PLC
- Schneider Modicon M251 PLC
- Schneider Modicon M258 PLC
- Schneider Modicon Momentum PLC
- Schneider Modicon Premium PLC (Soon to be discontinued)
- Schneider Modicon Quantum PLC
7. Eaton
Eaton is a diversified industrial manufacturer with its headquarters in Ohio, United States. It was established in1911 when Joseph Eaton invested in the very first gear-driven truck axle. In 1974 Eaton acquired the Cutler-Hammer business through acquisition which bought over a complete portfolio of power, control and switching devices.
Over the years Eaton have expanded their portfolio of products into the following sectors:
- Electrical
- Industrial
- Hydraulics
- Filtration
- Aerospace
- Vehicles
- eMobility
The reported global revenue of Eaton in 2019 was over $21 billion and they employed over 95,000 people worldwide. Eaton’s Electrical Systems and Services business sector is involved in manufacture of a wide range of industrial automation products and generated over $7.1 billion in net sales revenue in 2019.
For the latest Eaton economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Eaton has established a global support network with 175 countries served around the world. To view their global network please visit their worldwide sites page.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Eaton manufacture includes:
- Eaton XC Modular PLC
- Eaton XC Compact PLC
- Eaton EasyE4 Nano PLC
8. Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley)
Allen Bradley is a manufacturer of PLCs and factory automation products currently owned by the multinational company Rockwell Automation. Its headquarters are based in Milwaukee in the United States. It was founded in 1903 by Lynde Bradley, Dr. Stanton Allen originally as the Compression Rheostat Company. Over time it changed its name to Allen Bradley and was eventually bought out and is currently residing under the Rockwell Automation umbrella.
Allen Bradley specialize in industrial automation and offer the entire suite of products required to automate industrial applications with components such as such as:
- PLCs
- Instrumentation
- VFDs
- Motors
- Actuators
- Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- Switches, relays and timers etc
- Industrial Networking
- Safety Components
- Motor Control Centers
- Software
The reported global revenue of Rockwell Automation in 2019 was approximately $6.7 billion and they employed around 23,000 people worldwide. For the latest Rockwell Automation economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Rockwell Automation has established a global support network with locations around the globe. To find your nearest sales office, partner and distributor click here.
Rockwell manufacture a large range of PLC products. The Rockwell PLC brand is known as the Allen Bradley PLC. The latest PLCs that they have on offer includes:
- Allen Bradley Micro800 Lower-Cost Micro PLC System
- Allen Bradley MicroLogix Micro PLC System
- Allen Bradley CompactLogix Small PLC System
- Allen Bradley ControlLogix Large PLC System
9. ABB (B&R Automation)
ABB is a multinational conglomerate with its headquarters based in Zurich, Switzerland. It was formed with the merger of Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) and Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) in 1988 to create the ABB group that we know today.
ABB manufactures a large range of electrical products and provides services focusing on the following main areas:
- Electrification
- Industrial Automation
- Motion
- Robotics & Discrete Automation
The reported global consolidated revenue of ABB in 2019 was approximately $28 billion with their Industrial Automation business sector contributing over $6.2 billion. ABB employ around 110,000 people worldwide.
For the latest ABB economic data please visit their investor relations page.
ABB has established a global support network with locations around the globe. To find your nearest ABB partner click here.
ABB have been in the PLC business for 50 years, starting in 1970 during the BBC era. Their legacy PLC products include PLC brands like AC31, Procontic, Axumeric and Sigmatronic.
Their current AC500 PLC platform has been around for an impressive 15 years and their latest PLC brands include:
- ABB AC500 PLC System
- ABB AC500-eCo PLC System
- ABB AC500-S Safety PLC System
- ABB AC500-XC Extreme Conditions PLC System
B&R Industrial Automation was recently acquired by the ABB group (2017). Prior to the acquisition it had a reported revenue of over 600 million Euro and employed approximately 3000 people worldwide.
ABBs acquisition of B&R subsequently increased the range of industrial automation products that ABB has to offer. The B&R portfolio of industrial automation products includes:
- Industrial PCs
- HMI
- PLC systems
- I/O Systems
- Vision Systems
- Safety technology
- Motion Control
- Track Technology
- Robotics
- Mobile Automation
- Networks and Fieldbus Modules
- Software
- Process Control
The latest range of B&R PLC products to join the ABB portfolio includes:
- B&R X20 PLC
- B&R X20 Compact PLC
- B&R X20 Compact-S PLC
- B&R X90 Mobile Control System
Both the ABB AC500 PLC and the B&R X20 PLC systems fall under ABBs “Machine Automation” division located within their Robotics & Discrete Automation business area.
The ABB AC500 PLC implements an open hardware and software concept with their strength lying in Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Infrastructure and Hybrid industries.
The B&R X20 PLCs strength lies in higher end production machines with precision motion control and high speed applications, especially conveying systems. They are also well suited to integrate into Robotic & CNC machine tool applications.
10. Keyence
Keyence is a multinational company with its global headquarters in Osaka, Japan. Keyence was first established in 1974 as Lead Electric Co. Since then they have been involved in development and manufacturing of industrial automation and inspection equipment. Some of their core products consist of:
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Sensors
- Measuring systems
- Safety Systems
- Process Sensors and Control
- Static Eliminators / Ionizers
- Laser Marking Systems
- Microscopes / 3D Surface Profilers
- Machine Vision Systems
The reported consolidated sales in 2019 was approximately $5.2 billion with over 7,900 employees worldwide. For the latest Keyence economic data please visit their corporate overview page.
Keyence has established a global network with operations in 130 countries. To visit their global network page please click here.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Keyence manufacture includes:
- Keyence V-8000 Series PLC
- Keyence KV-7000 Series PLC
- Keyence KV-5000/3000 series PLC
- Keyence KV-Nano series PLC
11. Honeywell
Honeywell International is multinational company with its headquarters in North Carolina, United States. Its heritage dates back to 1886 when Albert M. Butz formed the Butz Thermo-Electric Regulator Company. Also in 1906 Mark C. Honeywell formed Honeywell Heating Specialty Co. The two companies merged in 1927 to form the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co. Since then they have expanded their portfolio and acquired many companies culminating in the 1999 merger of AlliedSignal and Honeywell to form the present day Honeywell International.
Honeywell is mainly focuses on technology and engineered products and services in the following key business sectors:
- Aviation
- Building Technologies
- Performance Materials and Technologies
- Safety and Productivity Solutions
The reported global revenue of Honeywell International in 2019 was approximately $37 billion and they employed over 110,000 people worldwide. Honeywell’s Process Solutions business sector is involved in manufacture of a wide range of industrial automation products and generated over $5.1 billion in net sales revenue in 2019.
For the latest Honeywell International economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Honeywell International has established a global support network with locations in 70 countries around the world. To learn more about Honeywell and their global presence please click here.
Honeywell manufacture the ControlEdge and MasterLogic range of PLC products. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Honeywell ControlEdge PLC
- Honeywell MasterLogic ML200 PLC
- Honeywell MasterLogic ML50 PLC
12. Omron
Omron Corporation is a global electronics company based in Kyoto, Japan. It was first established as Tateisi Electric Manufacturing Co. in Osaka by Kazuma Tateishi in 1933. Where they started production of X-ray timers. By 1959 the company had established the trademark OMRON and in 1990 changed its name to OMRON Corporation.
Today the Omron Corporation has diversified and is focusing on the following business sectors:
- Industrial Automation
- Electronic & Mechanical Components
- Automotive Electronic Components
- Social Systems, Solutions & Services
- Healthcare
The reported global revenue of Omron Corporation in 2019 was approximately ¥859 billion with their Industrial Automation business sector contributing over ¥391 billion. The Omron Corporation has over 35,000 employees worldwide.
For the latest Omron Corporation economic data please visit their basic corporate information page.
Omron Corporation has established a global support network in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. To find your nearest office location visit their global network page.
The latest range of PLC products that Omron manufacture includes:
- Omron CP Compact PLC
- Omron CJ Modular PLC
- Omron CS Rack PLC
13. Yokogawa
Yokogawa Electric is a global corporation predominantly involved in industrial automation with its headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan. It had its beginnings in 1915 when Tamisuke Yokogawa, Ichiro Yokogawa and Shin Aoki established an electric meter research institute in Shibuya, Tokyo. Yokogawa was the first company to produce and sell electric meters. With expansion and acquisition Yokogawa now specializes in providing industrial automation, testing and measurement solutions along with engineering, project management, and maintenance.
Yokogawa has split its core business into the following sectors:
- Industrial Automation & Control
- Test & Measurement
- Field Instrumentation
- Aviation & Other
The reported consolidated revenue of Yokogawa in 2018 was approximately ¥404 billion with their Industrial Automation & Control business sector contributing over ¥370 billion. Yokogawa employ over 17,800 people worldwide.
For the latest Yokogawa economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Yokogawa has established a global network with 113 companies operating in 60 countries. To further explore their global reach please visit their regional offices page.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Yokogawa Electric manufacture includes:
- Yokogawa FA-M3 Vitesse series PLC
- Yokogawa Stardom FCN-500 PLC
14. Fuji Electric
Fuji Electric is a global company with its head office in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1923 as a capital and technology alliance between Japanese “Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.” and German “Siemens AG”. In 1970 Fuji Electric Corporation of America was established to sell machinery and equipment and devices into North America and Latin America.
Fuji Electric globally has evolved and now focuses on four main business segments:
- Power Electronics Systems
- Electronic Devices
- Power Generation
- Food and Beverage Distribution
The reported global revenue of Fuji Electric in 2018 was over ¥914 billion and they employed over 27,000 people worldwide. Fuji Electric Power Electronics Systems business sector is involved in manufacture of a wide range of industrial automation products and generated over ¥322 billion in net sales revenue in 2019.
For the latest Fuji Electric economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Fuji Electric has established a global network with 121 offices in 96 countries. To find out more about their office locations worldwide please click here.
Fuji Electric manufacture the Micrex range of PLC products. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Fuji Micrex-SX Series PLC System
15. Phoenix Contact
Phoenix Contact is a privately owned multinational company with its headquarters in Blomberg, Germany. It was originally founded by Hugo Knümann who established a commercial agency for electrical products selling contact wire terminals for streetcars. In 1928 while working with Rhine-Westphalia Electricity Works (RWE) he develops the first terminal block. Soon after the fledgling company is renamed to Phönix Elektrizitätsgesellschaft.
Today Phoenix Contact is a manufacturer of components, systems and solutions in the electrical and industrial automation industries. Their business is split into the following sectors:
Today Phoenix Contact have expanded their portfolio with their main focus on the following product areas:
- Device Connectors
- Industrial Components and Electronics
- Industry Management & Automation
- E-Mobility & Innovation Ventures
The reported turnover of Phoenix Contact in 2018 was €2.48 billion and they employed 17,600 people worldwide.
Phoenix Contact has 18 companies in Germany and has created a global presence with more than 55 international sales subsidiaries, manufacture in 11 countries and is onsite in 100 countries all over the world.
For their latest company data and to find out more about their global locations please visit their company page.
The latest range of PLC products that Phoenix Contact manufacture includes:
- Phoenix Contact AXC-F Axioline F PLC
- Phoenix Contact RFC Remote Field PLC
- Phoenix Contact AXC Axiocontrol PLC
- Phoenix Contact ILC Inline PLC
16. Toshiba
Toshiba is an international conglomerate corporation with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The company had its beginnings in 1875 when Hisashige Tanaka established the Tanaka Engineering Works in order to develop telegraphic equipment in Japan. Also in 1890, Ichisuke Fujioka established Hakunetsu-sha Co. after developing Japan’s first arc lamp. The two companies eventually merged in 1939 to form Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. In the early 1980s the company abbreviated its name to Toshiba.
Today the Toshiba Group has expanded to deliver products and services into the following main sectors:
- Energy Systems & Solutions
- Infrastructure Systems & Solutions
- Retail & Printing Solutions
- Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions
- Industrial ICT Solutions
The reported consolidated revenue of Toshiba in 2019 was approximately ¥3.7 trillion and they employed over 128,000 people worldwide. Toshiba Industrial ICT Solutions business sector is involved in manufacture of a wide range of industrial automation products and generated over ¥253 billion in net sales revenue in 2019.
For the latest Toshiba economic data please visit their investor relations page.
Toshiba has established global support networks in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. To learn more about their global presence please visit their worldwide index page.
The latest range of PLC products that Toshiba manufacture includes:
- Toshiba Type 1 Light Series PLC
- Toshiba V200 Series Micro PLC
- Toshiba V100 Series PLC
- Toshiba V2000 Series PLC (Legacy)
17. Panasonic
Panasonic is a global conglomerate with its headquarters in Osaka, Japan. It had its origins in 1918 with the establishment of Matsushita Electric and the production of an improved electrical plug.
Over the years Panasonic has diversified and grown its business into the following main business segments:
- Appliances
- Eco Solutions
- Connected Solutions
- Automotive & Industrial Systems
The reported consolidated net sales revenue that Panasonic achieved in 2019 was approximately ¥8 trillion with approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. Panasonic’s Automotive & Industrial Systems business segment has a Process Automation sub segment within it which contributed over ¥204 billion to the net sales revenue in 2019.
For more detailed corporate information please visit their investor relations page.
Panasonic has a global network of over 580 consolidated companies including the parent company. To find out more about their global presence please visit their global network page.
Panasonic manufacture the FP range of PLC products. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Panasonic FP7 High Performance Modular PLC
- Panasonic FP2 PLC Modular high-speed
- Panasonic FP-Sigma Compact Modular PLC
- Panasonic FP-X Compact Multi-Functional PLC (succeeded the FP1 PLC)
- Panasonic FP0R Ultra Compact PLC
18. Delta Electronics
Delta Electronics is an electronics manufacturing company which has its headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan. It was founded by Bruce Cheng in 1971 initially to provide power and thermal management solutions.
Today Delta Electronics has committed themselves to the advancement of power and electronics technology to provide smarter and high efficiency products and solutions. Their core business sectors are:
- Power Electronic
- Industrial Automation
- Infrastructure
The reported global revenue of Delta Electronics in 2018 was over NTD 237 billion with their Industrial Automation business sector contributing over NTD 37 billion. Delta Electronics employed over 83,000 people worldwide. For the latest Delta Electronics economic data please visit their investor services page.
Delta Electronics has established a global network of production plants, sales offices and R&D labs. To visit their global operations page please click here.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Delta Electronics manufacture includes:
- Delta DVP Cost-Effective Series PLC
- Delta AS Compact Modular Mid-Range Series PLC
- Delta AH High-Level Series PLC
19. Wago
WAGO is a privately owned company with its headquarters in Minden, Germany. It was was founded in 1951 by Friedrich Hohorst and Heinrich Nagel. Wago where the first company to implement the concept of using spring pressure instead of screws for wire connectors and patented “Push Wire” and “Cage Clamp” technology.
Today WAGO manufactures products used in the industrial, process, automotive, railway, energy, building, marine and offshore sectors. Its main product focus is in the following areas:
- Electrical Interconnections
- Interface Electronics
- Automation Technology
The reported global sales revenue of Wago in 2019 around €954 million and they employed over 8,500 employees worldwide. For the latest Wago economic data please visit their data and facts page.
Wago has established a global network with 9 international production and distribution sites, 20 other distribution companies and representatives in more than 80 countries. To find out more about their international locations please click here.
Wago manufacture the PFC range of PLC controllers. The latest PLC brands that they have on offer includes:
- Wago PFC200 Series Advanced PLC
- Wago PFC200 Series PLC
- Wago PFC100 Series PLC
20. Beckhoff
Beckhoff is a multinational company with its headquarters in Verl, Germany. It was established in the early 80s and has been developing open automation systems and software based on PC control technology that functions like an advanced PLC. Beckhoff’s main product range covers:
- Industrial PCs
- I/O and Fieldbus Components
- Drive Technology
- Automation and PLC software
The reported global sales revenue of Beckhoff in 2019 was around €903 million and they employed over 4,300 employees worldwide.
Beckhoff has established a global network with subsidiaries, branch offices and distributors represented in more than 75 countries.
Beckhoff have control panel, embedded and panel Industrial PCs that function as a PLC. The latest range of controller brands that Beckhoff manufacture includes:
- Beckhoff C60 Ultra-compact Industrial PC
- Beckhoff X61-69 Control cabinet Industrial PC
- Beckhoff C70 Ultra-compact Industrial PC in IP 65/67
21. IFM Electronic
IFM Electronic is a privately owned global manufacturer of sensors and control equipment for industrial automation. Their headquarters in Essen, Germany. IFM was founded by Gerd Marhofer and Robert Buck in 1969 with the development of the contactless sensor.
Today IFM have more than 750 registered patents with their main product range including:
- Position Sensors
- Motion Control Sensors
- Vision Sensors
- Safety Technology
- Industrial Networks
- Machine Condition Sensors
- Systems for Mobile Machines
- Wiring and Connection Technology
The reported global sales for IFM in 2017 was $900 million and they employed more than 6,500 people worldwide. For more detailed information please visit IFMs global company page.
IFM has developed a global network of more than 70 subsidiaries in countries including America, Asia, Europe, Asia/Pacific and Africa. Please visit their trade partners page for more detail.
IFM Electronic manufacture the CR range of PLCs that are tailor made for mobile machine applications. The current range of PLCs that they have on offer are:
- IFM CR Ecomat Controller
- IFM CR Classic Controller
- IFM CR Smart Controller
- IFM CR Basic Controller
22. Idec Corporation
Idec Corporation is a multi-national company with its headquarters in Osaka, Japan. It was originally founded in 1945 under the name Izumi Shokai Co. Soon after it began manufacture and sales of industrial switches, pilot lights and terminal blocks. Since then Idec has expanded is product range and are actively involved in component supply to the automotive, food and packaging, machine tools, oil and gas, semiconductors, material handling, special vehicles and robotics industries.
Some of the main products that Idec manufacture are:
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Operator Interfaces
- Motion Control
- Sensors
- Power Supplies
- Circuit Protection, Contactors, Relays and Timers
- Connection Devices
- Switches, Pushbuttons, Indicator Lights and Buzzers
- LED Lighting
- Safety Components
- Explosion Protection Devices
The reported sales revenue of Idec Corporation in 2019 was approximately $565 million and they employed over 3,600 worldwide. For the latest Idec economic information please visit their financial information page.
Idec has built up its global sales network with presence in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Japan, Korea, China, Europe, Middle East & Africa. To find out more about their global presence please visit their global sales network page.
The latest range of PLC products that Idec manufacture includes:
- Idec FC6A MicroSmart Plus series PLC
- Idec FC6A MicroSmart series PLC
- Idec FT1A SmartAXIS series PLC
23. LS Electric (LSIS)
LS Electric (LSIS) is a multinational company with its headquarters in LS Tower, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. Founded 1974 as the Lucky Packing Co. they have greatly expanded to provide solutions in the following business sectors:
- Electric Equipment
- Electric Infrastructure
- Industrial Automation
- Convergence Business
The reported consolidated global sales revenue of LS Electric in 2018 was KWN 1,800 billion with their Industrial Automation business sector contributing approximately KWN 269 billion.
For the latest LS Electric economic information please visit their investor relations page.
LS Electric has built up its global presence with overseas factories, subsidiaries and branches in Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Middle East, Netherlands, Russia and Indonesia. To find out more about their global presence please visit their global network page.
The latest range of PLC products that LS Electric manufacture includes:
- XGT series (XGK, XGI, XGR) PLC range
- XGB series PLC range
- Master-K Series PLC range
- GM Series PLC range
24. Koyo (Automation Direct)
Koyo Electronics is part of the JTECKT group of companies and has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1959 to manufacture and sell portable radios. In 1994 Koyo Electronics set up a subsidiary company in the United States called PLC Direct which is currently trading as Automation Direct.
Today Koyo Electronics is involved in the manufacture and sale of the following products:
- Electronic Control Devices
- Imaging Devices
- Automotive Devices
- Factory Automation Control Systems
The latest Koyo Electronics financial information is not easily accessible, however according to zoominfo.com the annual revenue of Automation Direct is approximately $181 million and they have around 200 employees.
To find out more about Koyo Electronics please visit their company data page and for Automation Direct please visit their company overview page.
Koyo Electronics relies heavily on its global sales and support network. To find out more about their global presence please visit their global network page.
The latest range of PLC controller brands that Koyo Electronics have on offer through Automation Direct includes:
- Productivity Series PLCs (Stackable Micro, Micro Modular and Modular)
- Do-more Series PLCs (Micro Modular & Stackable)
- DirectLogic Series PLCs (Micro to Small, Brick & Modular)
- CLICK Series PLCs (Stackable Micro Brick)
- Productivity Open PLC (Audrino compatible)
25. Unitronics
Unitronics is an international company offering industrial control system products and automation solutions with its headquarters located in Israel. It was founded in 1989 with the inception of the first “all in one” controller by combining a PLC, Human Machine Interface (HMI) and onboard I/O in the one unit. Today, the company’s operations include a Products Division and an Automation Solutions Division.
The Products Division of Unitronics offers the three main products below:
- PLCs with integrated HMI
- Servo Drives and Motors
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
While the Automation Solutions Division of Unitronics (called Utron) specializes in the following sectors:
- Automated Parking System
- Logistic Solutions and Integration
The reported global revenue of Unitronics in 2019 was approximately ILS 137 million and they employed 157 people. For the latest Unitronics economic data please visit their financial results page.
Unitronics has built an international presence in over 55 countries with a professionals support network comprising of over 160 distributors, sales and local service agents worldwide. To find out more about Unitronics world-wide network visit their distributor network page.
The latest range of PLCs with integrated HMI products that Unitronics manufacture includes:
- UniStream High-End PLC Series
- Vision Advanced PLC Series
- Samba Small PLC Series
- Jazz & M90 Simple PLC Serie
In the next section we’ll learn about PLC architecture, the different types of PLC architecture, their advantages, dis-advantages and compare them in a handy reference table.
To got to the next section please click here.