This March marks an important milestone for us at Control Freaks as we celebrate 20 years of delivering advanced industrial automation and control systems.
What began as a one-person operation founded by automation engineer Clint Johnson in March 2006 has grown into a highly respected and technically specialised systems integration business supporting manufacturers and industrial operators across the UK. Over the past two decades, we have built a reputation for tackling complex automation challenges that require deep engineering expertise, delivering high-performance control systems that many integrators simply do not have the capability to design and implement.
Reaching the 20-year milestone is an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come and the team, partners and customers who have been part of that journey.
Today, we support businesses in sectors including food manufacturing, construction, recycling, automotive and industrial processing, designing and integrating bespoke control systems tailored to each customer’s requirements.
Our work often involves developing sophisticated control architectures using technologies such as PLCs, safety PLCs, robotics, motion control, machine vision, HMIs and SCADA platforms. These systems play a critical role in modern industrial environments, helping businesses improve productivity, maintain safety standards and optimise their operations.
Key stages of growth for Control Freaks
As our projects and team have grown, so too has the need for facilities that support the work we do.
We recently expanded into new premises at Holbeach Technology Park, moving into a facility three times the size of our previous site. This new space allows us to continue delivering complex automation projects while supporting the next stage of our growth.
Being based in Lincolnshire has always been important to us. Through the work we deliver across the UK, we are proud to help strengthen the region’s reputation for engineering expertise and contribute to putting Lincolnshire on the map as a hub for industrial automation capability.
Strong partnerships and technical expertise
Over the past two decades, we have built strong relationships with both our customers and our technology partners. We work with leading global automation brands, including Siemens, Allen Bradley, Omron, Schneider, Keyence, and have been a Mitsubishi Electric Approved Partner since its early years in business. These partnerships allow us to deliver robust, high-performance automation systems for demanding industrial environments.
During our 20-year journey, we have also been involved in several high-profile and technically demanding projects, including work on the swimming pool control systems for both the London Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The team has also supported specialist systems behind a televised illusion, helping a magician appear to walk on water. As well as this, we have delivered automation solutions for a range of major manufacturers, including Bakkavor, Greencore, ITP Aero, Pilgrim’s Pride, Aston Martin and Mitsubishi Electric.
Just as important as these projects are the long-term relationships we have developed with customers. Many of the organisations we work with return to us for multiple projects, reflecting the trust built through delivering reliable, high-quality systems.
Investing in our people
One of the most rewarding aspects of our growth has been the development of our team. Several engineers who joined Control Freaks early in their careers as apprentices have grown into highly skilled specialists. Supporting that development and investing in people continues to be an important part of who we are as a company.
As automation becomes increasingly important across modern industry, there is also a growing demand for skilled engineers and systems integrators. We are committed to investing in our team and helping develop the specialist skills needed to support the future of the automation sector.
Looking toward the future of automation technology
While celebrating 20 years is a proud milestone, our focus remains firmly on the future.
Automation technology continues to evolve rapidly, bringing new opportunities and challenges across manufacturing and industrial sectors. By continuing to invest in our people, our partnerships and our technical capability, we are well positioned to support industry for many years to come.
For us, the core principle has always remained the same: delivering high-quality systems that work exactly as they should.
As we mark two decades of Control Freaks, we look forward to continuing to solve complex automation challenges, support our customers and build on the strong foundations created over the past 20 years.