About Us

Who We Are

Applied Automation (UK) Ltd is internationally renowned as a quality supplier of automation and control equipment.

Based in Plymouth, we design, manufacture and deliver the complete solution for automation and control in industrial engineering, the marine sector and smart homes, offering customisable and bespoke options. The company is organised into divisions enabling teams to provide specialised services and deliver excellence across a number of sectors. We employ more than 150 designers, engineers, project managers, sales engineers and professional specialists who are proud to be part of the Applied team. Applied is committed to operating in a socially responsible manner and has a CSR policy.

Company History

  • 1985 - Applied Automation is established to design and manufacture industrial control systems

  • 1986 - David Rowe joins the three strong team as partner

  • 1990 - The company founder retires, David Rowe becomes Managing Director

  • 1999 - Technical distribution portfolio is expanded and X-STK is formed

  • 2010 - Applied Marine Automation & Applied Tube Technology are formed

  • 2015 - Sales reach the £15 million mark

The engineering solutions business in Plymouth quickly expanded. A new team was set up for the processing and assembly of MayTec aluminium profile and this has since evolved into the division, Applied Industrial Systems. In 1999, a new technical distribution division called X-STK was established in Cardiff. This warehouse now holds in stock thousands of items from global brands such as SMC and Omron.

By 2005, sales had hit the £5 million mark.

In 2010, an associate company was formed to specialise in tube manipulation equipment. In the same year, a marine company was acquired and a new division, Applied Marine Automation, was developed to supply control and automation systems for luxury yachts.

By 2013, a new market had emerged and Applied Home Automation was set up to offer smart home technology systems for homes, businesses and yachts. It was a time of rapid and significant growth for the company with sales reaching £15 million. This prompted moves to new premises in both Plymouth and Cardiff.

In Plymouth, a 140,000 square feet factory was purchased and the new engineering headquarters were officially opened in 2015.