Introduction
Georgia's manufacturing sector generates $59.5 billion in annual output and employs roughly 289,000 production workers, making it one of the Southeast's most active industrial hubs. As manufacturers compete on tighter margins and shorter lead times, many struggle with unplanned downtime, inconsistent throughput, and reactive maintenance cycles that drain profitability.
Industrial automation addresses these pain points directly. The right controls integration partner shifts a facility from constant equipment firefighting to proactive performance optimization, unlocking capacity gains of 20% or more from existing assets.
This post profiles the top 10 industrial automation companies serving Georgia manufacturers — evaluated on technical depth, industry experience, and the scope of services they bring to the floor — so you can identify the right fit for your operation.
TLDR
- Georgia's $59.5 billion manufacturing base drives strong demand for PLC, SCADA, and controls integration services
- Leading automation partners hold ISO-9001 or CSIA certification, employ PE-licensed engineers, and carry multi-industry project experience
- Lashley, Cohen and Associates leads with 35+ years in Georgia, 5,000+ completed projects, and ISO-9001 certified processes
- Evaluate vendors on controls depth, scalability, and post-project support, not upfront cost alone
- Use this list to shortlist firms with proven expertise in your specific sector
Overview of Industrial Automation in Georgia
Industrial automation in Georgia centers on three core service categories: PLC/SCADA systems (programmable logic controllers and supervisory control and data acquisition), controls integration (unifying disparate equipment into a single control architecture), and process automation (improving production workflows through sensors, actuators, and feedback loops).
The U.S. industrial automation market is expanding fast:
- Valued at $47.04 billion in 2024, forecast to reach $85.55 billion by 2030
- Growing at a 10.6% CAGR over that period
- Nearly 85% of manufacturing leaders plan to adopt AI-enabled automation within five years, driven by labor shortages and efficiency demands
That growth is playing out at the plant floor level across Georgia. The firms below represent the strongest options in the state for controls integration, PLC programming, and process automation — evaluated on technical certifications, project scale, and verified local presence.
Top 10 Industrial Automation Companies in Georgia
These firms were evaluated on certifications (ISO-9001, CSIA, PE licensure), technology partnerships, breadth of industries served, project volume, and local responsiveness. These firms were evaluated on certifications (ISO-9001, CSIA, PE licensure), technology partnerships, breadth of industries served, project volume, and local responsiveness. Each entry below reflects publicly available data on capabilities, credentials, and Georgia market presence.
Lashley, Cohen and Associates
Founded in Lawrenceville, GA in 1988, Lashley, Cohen and Associates delivers controls integration, project management, and engineering services across food & beverage, chemicals, metals, water/wastewater, and general manufacturing. The firm has completed over 5,000 projects for 2,000+ clients throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
Credentials and capabilities:
- ISO-9001 certified project management processes ensure consistent quality and accountability
- Certified PE Engineer on staff for engineering design sign-off and regulatory compliance
- Rockwell Systems Bronze Partner, reflecting deep expertise in Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms
- Aligns automation investments with long-term business goals, not just immediate fixes
One Georgia beverage manufacturer saw a 50% throughput increase—from 1,100 to 1,600 containers per minute—after Lashley, Cohen and Associates optimized a $3 million filling line over the course of a year.
| Specialty | Controls integration, SCADA/PLC systems, project management, engineering services |
|---|---|
| Certifications | ISO-9001 certified; Rockwell Systems Bronze Partner; Certified PE Engineer on staff |
| Industries Served | Food & Beverage, Chemicals, Metals, Water/Wastewater, Consumer Goods, General Manufacturing |
Gray Solutions
Gray Solutions operates as the automation arm of Gray Construction, with an Atlanta presence supporting digital acumen, robotics, data analytics, and operational technology (OT) design. They focus on integrating automation into broader facility construction and modernization projects, particularly for food & beverage, manufacturing, and data center clients.
Their model bundles construction and automation under one contract:
- Turnkey project delivery combining construction, automation, and digital infrastructure under one roof
- Robotics and data analytics capabilities extend beyond traditional controls into advanced manufacturing intelligence
- Multi-discipline coordination simplifies complex projects where automation must align with mechanical, electrical, and structural systems
| Specialty | Digital acumen, robotics, data analytics, OT design |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | None publicly listed |
| Industries Served | Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Data Centers |
Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Hargrove maintains a Johns Creek, GA office and brings multi-discipline engineering capabilities to industrial automation projects. Their controls integration services cover PLC/HMI programming, plant design, and safety systems for pulp & paper, chemicals, life sciences, and power generation facilities.
Notable strengths for large capital projects:
- CSIA Certified (2025) and ISO 9001 certified, validating business management maturity and quality processes
- Partnerships with Rockwell, Siemens, Honeywell, and DeltaV enable platform-agnostic solutions
- EPC heritage (engineering, procurement, construction) covers large-scale projects from concept through commissioning
| Specialty | Controls integration, PLC/HMI programming, plant design, safety systems |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | CSIA Certified (2025), ISO 9001; Rockwell, Siemens, Honeywell, DeltaV partnerships |
| Industries Served | Pulp & Paper, Chemicals, Life Sciences, Power Generation |
Primus Solutions
Based in Woodstock, GA, Primus Solutions specializes in warehouse and distribution automation, focusing on Automated Trailer Loading (ATL), AGVs (automated guided vehicles), and cold storage automation design. They serve logistics-intensive sectors where material handling automation directly impacts throughput and labor costs.
Their niche focus on cold storage and distribution sets them apart:
- Cold storage specialization addresses temperature control and high-volume order fulfillment challenges
- Automated trailer loading systems reduce dock labor and improve shipping cycle times
- Warehouse automation design integrates conveyors, sortation, and AGVs into cohesive material flow solutions
| Specialty | Automated Trailer Loading (ATL), AGVs, warehouse automation design |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | None publicly listed |
| Industries Served | Cold Storage, Food & Beverage, Distribution |
Motion Industries
Headquartered in Birmingham with major Georgia operations in Lagrange, Macon, Savannah, Austell, and Gainesville, Motion Industries combines automation integration with extensive MRO (maintenance, repair, operations) distribution capabilities. Their Automation Intelligence division delivers PLC, HMI, DCS, and SCADA services backed by local branch support.
What makes Motion Industries useful for ongoing plant support:
- CSIA Certified (2025), ensuring rigorous business management and project execution standards
- Five Georgia locations provide rapid on-site response and local parts availability
- Partnerships with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, ABB, and Bosch Rexroth offer platform flexibility
- Clients can source both automation engineering and replacement parts from a single vendor
| Specialty | PLC, HMI, DCS, SCADA, MRO, Automation Intelligence |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | CSIA Certified (2025); Rockwell Automation, Siemens, ABB, Bosch Rexroth |
| Industries Served | Food & Beverage, Chemicals, Metals, Water/Wastewater |
ATC Manufacturing Solutions
ATC Manufacturing Solutions, headquartered in Cookeville, TN and Post Falls, ID, provides assembly/test automation and thermoplastic composites manufacturing services. While they do not maintain a listed Georgia office, they serve regional clients through travel-ready engineering teams and remote project management.
Their certifications make them a fit for regulated industries:
- ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified, meeting both general manufacturing and aerospace quality standards
- Turnkey assembly and test automation handles complex, high-mix production environments
- Thermoplastic composites expertise supports advanced materials applications in transportation and aerospace
| Specialty | Assembly/test automation, thermoplastic composites |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | ISO 9001, AS9100 |
| Industries Served | Transportation, Life Sciences, Aerospace |
Applied Control Engineering (ACE)
Applied Control Engineering operates nine U.S. offices (none currently in Georgia) and serves the region remotely. They specialize in FEED studies (front-end engineering design), PLC/HMI/SCADA systems, MES (manufacturing execution systems), and industrial cybersecurity for chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, and utilities sectors.
ACE is a strong option for facilities with complex cybersecurity or MES requirements:
- CSIA Certified, validating comprehensive business management and technical capabilities
- Industrial cybersecurity focus protects control systems from an expanding threat landscape
- MES integration connects plant-floor automation directly to enterprise business systems
- Partnerships with Rockwell, Siemens, Modicon, and Omron enable multi-platform support
| Specialty | FEED studies, PLC/HMI/SCADA, MES, cybersecurity |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | CSIA Certified; Rockwell, Siemens, Modicon, Omron |
| Industries Served | Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Oil & Gas, Utilities |
Process Systems & Instrumentation (PSI)
PSI operates from Kennesaw, GA and focuses on instrumentation, process valves, engineered system solutions, and pump skids for food, beverage, personal care, and chemical industries. Their process-centric approach emphasizes precision measurement and control for fluid handling and batch operations.
PSI's focus stays tightly on process measurement and fluid control:
- Specializes in liquid/slurry handling, blending, and batching applications
- Instrumentation covers flow, pressure, temperature, and level measurement critical to process control
- Engineered pump skids arrive pre-assembled and tested, reducing field installation time
| Specialty | Instrumentation, process valves, engineered system solutions, pump skids |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | None publicly listed |
| Industries Served | Food, Beverage, Personal Care, Chemical |
Electro-Mechanical Corp (EMC)
Electro-Mechanical Corp, headquartered in Bristol, VA, serves Georgia manufacturers through regional project teams. They specialize in medium-voltage switchgear, power distribution, and custom control panels for utilities, data centers, mining, and industrial facilities.
EMC is a practical choice for high-power electrical and panel work:
- ISO 9001 certified divisions ensure consistent quality across electrical and control system manufacturing
- Medium-voltage expertise supports large motor drives and high-power industrial applications
- Custom control panel fabrication delivers tailored solutions for unique facility requirements
| Specialty | Medium-voltage switchgear, power distribution, custom control panels |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | ISO 9001 (Divisions) |
| Industries Served | Utilities, Data Centers, Mining, Industrial |
Neff Automation
Neff Automation provides service coverage in Georgia without a fixed local office, focusing on robotics, motion control, machine vision, and pneumatics. They serve automotive, pharmaceutical, and food processing manufacturers through a combination of remote engineering and on-site field service.
Neff's strengths center on robotics and sensing technology:
- Robotics and motion control capability handles high-speed, high-precision automation requirements
- Machine vision integration supports quality inspection and product tracking applications
- OEM distribution partnerships (including Balluff) provide access to leading automation components
- Multi-state service coverage supports manufacturers with facilities across the Southeast
| Specialty | Robotics, motion control, machine vision, pneumatics |
|---|---|
| Certifications / Partnerships | Balluff and other OEM distribution partnerships |
| Industries Served | Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Food Processing |
How We Chose the Best Industrial Automation Companies in Georgia
The biggest mistake buyers make is choosing a vendor based on brand name or the lowest quote — without checking whether they can actually deliver, support the project locally, or stand behind the work after go-live.
Our evaluation criteria prioritized:
- Industry certifications (ISO-9001, CSIA, PE licensure) that validate quality management, business maturity, and engineering accountability
- Technology partnerships (Rockwell, Siemens, ABB) indicating OEM-backed expertise and access to technical resources
- Breadth of industries served, demonstrating adaptability across different production environments and regulatory requirements
- Project volume and scale, confirmed through case studies, client references, and years in operation
- Georgia-specific market presence, measured by physical offices, local staff, and documented regional projects
Each criterion maps to a real business outcome — reduced project risk, regulatory compliance, faster on-site response, and the operational flexibility to handle your specific production environment. The companies below met the highest bar across all five areas.
Conclusion
Georgia's industrial manufacturers need automation partners who understand both the technical requirements and the operational goals unique to their sector. A strong local track record matters as much as technical credentials—downtime costs are measured in minutes, not days, and remote support cannot replace boots on the ground when a line goes down.
When evaluating potential automation companies, look beyond initial cost. Consider:
- Scalability — can they support your operations as they grow?
- Post-commissioning support — what does ongoing service look like after go-live?
- Long-term fit — are they building toward your future production goals, or solving for today only?
Lashley, Cohen and Associates has served Georgia manufacturers for over 35 years with ISO-9001 certified processes, a certified PE engineer on staff, and 5,000+ successful projects across food & beverage, chemicals, metals, and general manufacturing. Few firms in Georgia combine that depth of experience with hands-on local presence. Reach out at (770) 962-0878 or websales@lashleycohen.com to discuss your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is industrial automation and why does it matter for Georgia manufacturers?
Industrial automation uses control systems—PLCs, SCADA, robotics—to manage production processes with minimal human intervention. For Georgia's manufacturing sectors (food & beverage, chemicals, metals), automation directly improves uptime, consistency, and cost efficiency by reducing manual errors and enabling real-time process adjustments.
How do I choose the right industrial automation company in Georgia?
Evaluate vendors on certifications (ISO-9001, CSIA, PE engineer on staff), technology partnerships (Rockwell, Siemens), multi-industry project experience, and the ability to scale solutions as operational needs grow. Check references in your specific sector and verify they offer post-project support and ongoing maintenance, not just one-time installation.
What industries in Georgia benefit most from industrial automation?
Food & beverage, chemicals, building materials, metals, water/wastewater, and general manufacturing see the highest returns. Each sector has distinct requirements—contamination control in food processing, tight process tolerances in chemicals, and energy reduction in metals production—where automation delivers measurable gains.
What certifications should I look for when hiring an industrial automation company?
Prioritize ISO-9001, CSIA certification, PE licensure on staff, and OEM partnerships (Rockwell, Siemens). CSIA is particularly valuable because it validates the entire business operation—project management, financials, and delivery—not just technical capability.
What is the difference between a controls integrator and a general automation company?
A controls integrator specializes in designing and programming control systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA) to unify equipment on a production floor. A general automation company may also provide hardware, robotics, or turnkey system design. The distinction matters when you need deep controls expertise versus a broader, hardware-inclusive solution.
How much does industrial automation cost for a mid-sized manufacturer in Georgia?
Costs depend on project scope, system complexity, and industry. Hardware and software typically consume 52% of initial costs, with engineering and integration making up the rest. Quotes range from $50,000 for simple PLC upgrades to $500,000+ for full plant automation—request a site assessment for an accurate figure.
