ajc top workplaces

Recognized by the AJC as the top medium size company to work for in the Atlanta area in 2012, 2014, and 2017. AutomationDirect has prioritized creating a company culture that allows employees to take ownership of their jobs and to be rewarded for a job well done.

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Our Promise

Get more than you pay for...

AutomationDirect is a non-traditional industrial controls company using the best ideas from the consumer world to serve your automation needs. We deliver quality products fast for much less than traditional suppliers. See below...

For over 25 years, we’ve been offering a better value on industrial controls by running our direct business efficiently and passing the savings on to you. No complex pricing structures or penalty for small orders, just low everyday prices on everything from fuses to motors and everything in between.

Programming software for products can be costly, so we help you out by offering FREE software for our most popular products, including all our latest PLC families and C-more HMIs. No license or upgrade fees to deal with!

If it’s in your cabinet, its online at AutomationDirect . . . for less!

A full line of industrial controllers and software, plus a wide range of electrical and mechanical sensing and control devices

Just a few examples of our great prices

Extras that cost you nothing

Whether you’re deciding on purchasing our products or learning our products after you buy, why jump through hoops or even pay for the information you need? That doesn’t make sense.
Always Available

Unlike your local distributor, our website is available around the clock, 24/7/365, and has many helpful resources. Many customers tell us that our online store, inside sales and tech support is the best around.

Free Documentation

Right on all of product pages, we have Exhaustive FREE documentation including overviews, technical specifications, manuals, CAD drawings, videos and more - it’s all FREE to access with no limitations.

Valuable Resources

You can view videos, multiple angled photos, download CAD, specs, see real-time stock status and more right there from product page you’re viewing. See for yourself on one of our popular PLC’s product page, CLICK PLC

Check out some of these resources
FREE Software for most products

The majority of our products (including many HMIs and PLCs) come with FREE downloadable software that does not require any licensing or renewals. Download the FREE software to take a “test drive” before you purchase. These are full versions, many with simulators and other advanced features. View Software

New to PLCs?

Check out our FREE online programmable logic controller training. It’s online 24/7 for anyone wanting to learn more about PLCs and PLC programming.View Training

1,000s of FREE videos

When shopping online, if a product you’re looking at has video, it will be available right there for you to view.
Everything from brief product overviews to in-depth how-to videos and a lot in between. All videos are FREE and available anytime. View Videos

You don’t want to wait for your order. Better yet, you want it shipped FREE!

We have fast shipping, and it’s FREE if your order is over $49.* AutomationDirect has always maintained a huge inventory, allowing us to ship over 97% of orders complete within one business day. *Order over $49, and get free 2-day delivery within the U.S. (Certain restrictions apply; Canadian orders may take longer based on destination)

You insist on getting better service and you want it FREE.
Have questions about our products or need help?

Our FREE phone tech support and customer service reps are avaible 5 days a week 9am-6pm ET to help you out. Most are industry experts with years of service experience in the field and ready to help answer your questions. Before, during or after you buy.Get Support

You want to be confident in our products and our commitment to you

We stand behind our products and guarantee your satisfaction. We want you to be pleased with every order. That’s why we offer a 45-day money-back guarantee on almost every stock product we sell, including our software. We also offer warranties on numerous products: from one-year to lifetime!See Terms & Conditions

Product selectors to help you decide which product is best for you

Whether it’s choosing and configuring the right PLC, selecting the correct motor, timing belt or pneumatic gripper, these selectors will help you choose the right products you're looking for.View Product Selectors

Looking for FREE educational content like whitepapers, application stories, technical articles or eBooks?

Our extensive library of articles, application stories and online magazine offer education information to keep you informed.View Educational Content

This “.com” is powered by .awesome people!

For over twenty-five years our prime focus has been customer service.

That takes many forms: great prices, fast delivery, and quality products. But regardless of our product selection and other tangibles like pricing, the intangible value of customer service is something that cannot be faked, replaced by machinery or glossed over with a free lunch from a visiting sales rep.

Our team members here at AutomationDirect.com approach every day with this one goal in mind - serve the customer. It’s a simple philosophy that many companies forget or make too complex and then fail at it. If the answer to any decision is “Yes, this is good for our customers”, then we do it.

It's that simple.

company employees
Should we have real upfront pricing online and realtime stock availability?

Should we have FREE tech support before, during, and after any sale instead of charging yearly fees for tech support?

Should we offer FREE software on many products instead of charging licensing fees?

Should we have all our documentation online for FREE so people can access anytime, even before they choose to purchase?

Should we offer more selection by consistenly introducing more new quality products with great prices monthly, sometimes weekly?

Should we offer FREE shipping for orders over $49?

Should we be fiscally responsible and run an efficient business so customers can rely on us decade after decade after decade?

Yes, this is good for our customers!


All these are discussions we’ve had internally and all have had certain aspects of “can we do that?”, “that will be hard to accomplish”, “no one else is doing that, how can we?”. But if you bring it back to the simple answer, “Yes, this is good for our customers”, then the perceived obstacles really don’t matter.

Our company has evolved dramatically since 1994 and it’s this type of decision making by all our team members over the years that keeps our customers coming back and new customers checking us out daily.

If you’re a current customer, we sincerely thank you for your business. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and promise to do our best for you every day. If you’re new and checking us out for the first time, we hope you give us an opportunity to serve you.

Ready to shop? Head over to our store

Over 85% of customers surveyed say that our service is better than other suppliers

What do folks think about our approach to providing better service at a better price?

Jeff

Sherman, NY

“Love the products! Productivity PLC lines are awesome, Dura Pulse VFDs are awesome. Great prices on everything.”

Reuben

Huntingdon Valley, PA

Been shopping here for years and I don’t plan on stopping! Great products at a great price. Can’t beat the customer service!”

Trent

Coolidge, AZ

“Always accurate with estimated delivery time, support responsive and helpful, product selection grows every time I visit the site.”

Allen

Nashville, TN

“I have had nothing but excellent service from Automation Direct. The purchases that I have made have worked perfect and arrived quicker than I expected. A+A+A+”

Murph

Chicago, IL

“Love this product, I specify materials for breweries and distilleries and all of the panels I design are exclusively AD. Love the fact that we can get replacements sent to anywhere in the US in 2 days. Tech support has been consistently excellent.”

Terri

Clinton Township, MI

“Website is easy to navigate. I can always find what I need. Product has always been in stock and received in a timely manner.”

William

Seymour, TN

“Products are good. Shipping is top notch. However, tech support keeps me coming back. They are patient and look for solutions not just answer questions. Good job!”

Gregory

Cincinnati, OH

I was able to design and built a control system in weeks. Your website and technical information that was available allowed me to do this. In addition, the shipping was flawless. Great job.”

See All Reviews

Industry Awards

Control Engineering 2022 Winner

CLICK PLUS PLC awarded overall winner in the Control Systems: PLCs category of Control Engineering’s Engineer Choice Awards Read more

Plant Engineering 2021 Bronze Award

CLICK PLUS PLC announced as the Plant Engineering 2021 Product of the Year Bronze Award winner in the “Controls System” category. Read more

Control Engineering 2021 Honorable Mention

ProductivityOpen Arduino-compatible controller receives honorable mention in the Machine and Embedded Control – PLCs category. Read more

Plant Engineering 2020 Product of the Year

The ProductivityOpen Arduino-compatible controller chosen as Grand Award Recipient by plant engineering. Read more

World Class Culture Award

AutomationDirect recognized with World Class Culture Award from Atlanta Supply Chain Awards. Read more

2020 Best of Forsyth

AutomationDirect recognized as Best of Forsyth by Forsyth County News. Read more

AutomationWorld First team Honoree

First Team Honoree by AutomationWorld for HMI Hardware, PLCs/PACs and HMI Software. Read more

Control Engineering 2019 Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention in Machine and Embedded Control – PLCs category in Control Engineering’s Engineer Choice Awards. Read more

Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Award

PLC Hardware and Software recognized by Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards Read more

Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Award

Operator Interfaces by Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards Read more

Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Award

Terminal blocks recognized by Control Design 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards Read more

2018 Plant Engineering’s Engineer’s Choice Award

Bronze Award for the P1000 in Plant Engineering’s 2018 Engineer’s Choice Awards Read more

2017 Product of the Year

BRX PLC recognized as Product of the Year 2017 by Plant Engineering. Read more

2017 Control Design Readers’ Choice Award

PLC/PAC, PLC Software, Operator Software, HMI Software, Stack Lights, Power Supply, Terminal Blocks and Stepper Motors recognized by Control Design 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. Read more

2017 NED Innovation Awards

WERA Joker Ratcheting Wrenches recognized in the NED Innovation Awards Read more

Atlanta's 2017 Top Midsize Workplace

More than 2,500 companies were nominated or asked to participate in the 2017 Top Workplaces contest by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Using survey results, a list of 150 workplaces was compiled, consisting of 25 large companies, 50 midsize companies and 75 small companies. AutomationDirect.com was the top medium workplace. More information on the award. You can also Read the entire AJC article

2016 Readers' Choice Awards - "these suppliers won top spots"
Control Design magazine: June 2016

AutomationDirect placed in the top 4 for eight categories: PLC Programming Software, PLC Controllers, Operator Interface, HMI Software, PAC Controllers, Stack Light Towers, Terminal Blocks, Machine-Mount Input-Output. Read the article online

2016 Engineers' Choice Awards
Finalist Control Engineering magazine: October 2015

The Control Engineering Engineers' Choice Awards highlight some of the best new control, instrumentation and automation products as chosen by Control Engineering's subscribers. AWARD: Machine & Embedded Control - PACs, PLCs FINALIST: AutomationDirect Productivity2000® Micro-Modular PLCs

Best in Service Award "15 Years Running ... 2001 - 2015"
Readers' Choice Awards Control Design magazine

AutomationDirect six service and support awards: PLCs, Operator Interface, PLC Software, HMI Software, Data Acquisition Software, Terminal Blocks. Read the article online

2015 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2015

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier for Data Acquisition software, HMI Software, Operator interface, PLC, PLC Programming software and terminal blocks. Read this article online

2015 Team Leadership in Automation Award
AutomationWorld, January 2016

As voted on by automation end-users, AutomationDirect was awarded 2015 First Team in: PLCs/PACs, HMI Hardware. Read this article online

2014 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2014

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier for PLC, Stack Light Tower, Terminal Blocks & Stepper Motors Read this article online

2014 Team Leadership in Automation Award
AutomationWorld, January 2015

As voted on by automation end-users, AutomationDirect was awarded 2014 First Team in: PLCs/PACs, HMI Hardware, Cables/Connectors/I/O. Read this article online

2013 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2013

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier for PLCs & PLC Programming Software. Read this article online

2013 Team Leadership in Automation Award
AutomationWorld, January 2014

As voted on by automation end-users, AutomationDirect was awarded 2013 First Team in: PLCs, PACs, Discrete Sensing, Temperature Sensors. Read this article online

2012 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2012

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier in several categories: PLCs, Operator Interface Terminal, Programable Automation Controller, PLC Programming Software, Stack Tower Light, Terminal Block.

2012 Team Leadership in Automation Award
AutomationWorld, January 2013

As voted on by automation end-users, AutomationDirect was awarded 2012 First Team in: Discrete Sensing, Pressure Sensors & Transmitters, Temperature Sensors and Transmitters, Programmable Automation Controllers and Programmable Logic Controllers.

2011 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2011

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier in four categories: Operator Interface, PLCs, PLC Programming Software, and Stepper Motors.

2011 Team Leadership in Automation Award
AutomationWorld, January 2012

As voted on by automation end-users, AutomationDirect was awarded 2012 First Team in: PLCs, Programmable Automation Controllers, pressure sensors/transmitters, and temperature sensors/transmitters.

2010 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2010

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplies in two categories: Operator Interface Terminals, PLC programming Software/Service. AutomationDirect received 4.0 or better ratings in three categories."AutomationDirect received 4.0 or better ratings in 3 categories."

2009 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2009

AutomationDirect was honored for best service of any supplier in four catagories: PLC, Operator Interface Terminals, PLC Programming Software and Relays."AutomationDirect received 4.0 or better ratings in 11 categories."

IEN Web Reviews 2009
IEN Industrial Equipment News, March 2009

Highest Rated Site of the Month Automation Direct: Overall Rating 94% Process Controls "Very, very thorough site; one of the best industrial sites we've reviewed." Read this article online

2008 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2008

AutomationDirect was honored for great service in five product categories, including PLC, PLC Programming Software, Operator Interface Terminals, HMI Software and Terminal Blocks.

IEN Best Brands Winners 2007
IEN Industrial Equipment News, January 2008

AutomationDirect was chosen "Best Brand" in the Industrial Automation Distributors product category in IEN's annual Brand Preference Study. The survey among IEN readers identifies the brands considered to be the best in specific categories.

2007 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2007

Best service of any supplier for Operator Interface Terminal, HMI Software, PLC Programming Software and Terminal Blocks."AutomationDirect received 4.0 or better ratings in eight categories."

2006 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, September 2006

Featured Product: HMI Software, PLC Programming Software, Terminal Blocks, Programmable Logic Controller, Operator Interface Terminal, Input/Output System Featured Subject: Service is sizzling - AutomationDirect is honored six times in service and support and comes in #1 in three categories in a survey of Control Design subscribers.

2006 Design News magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Design News, March 2006

Featured Product: Motion Control / Automation

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect delivery times chosen best in Motion Control and Automation category in a survey of Design News readers

2005 Control Design magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design , November 2005

Featured Product: Operator Interface Terminal, PLC Programming Software ,Programmable Logic Controller, Power Supply, Input/Output System Featured Subject: AutomationDirect service and support comes in #1 in FIVE categories in a survey of Control Design subscribers. Read this article online

2005 Control magazine Readers' Choice Awards
Control , January 2005

Featured Product: Programmable Logic Controllers

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect awarded best service of any supplier for PLC Hardware in a survey of Control subscribers Read this article online

2004 Control Engineering's Editors' Choice Awards
Control Engineering, January 2004

Featured Product: H2-EBC100 & H2-ECOM100 Ethernet Modules

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect and Host Engineering H2-EBC100 & H2-ECOM100 Ethernet Modules are winners in Networks and Communications

2004 Control Readers' Choice Awards
Control, January 2004

Featured Product: PLC Hardware, PLC Software, Operator Interface, Power Supplies

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect service comes in #1 in four categories in a survey of Control subscribers

2004 Control Design Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, November 2004

Featured Product: Input Output System, Programmable Logic Controller, Terminal Block

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect service and support comes in #1 in three categories in a survey of Control Design subscribers

2003 Control Engineering's Editors' Choice Award
Control Engineering, January 2003

Featured Product: DL06 PLC

Featured Subject: The DL06 takes home top honors for Embedded Control

2003 Control Design Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, December 2003

Featured Product: Operator Interface Terminal, PLC, Terminal Blocks, PLC Programming Software

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect service and support comes in #1 in four categories in a survey of Control Design subscribers

2002 Control Design Readers' Choice Awards
Control Design, November 2002

Featured Product: PLC, PLC Programming Software

Featured Subject: Best service of any supplier for PLC Hardware and PLC Software

2001 Control Design Reader's Choice Awards
Control Design, November 2001

Featured Product: PLC Programming Software

Featured Subject: AutomationDirect support and service comes in #1 in a survey of Control Design subscribers