In today’s fast-moving industrial landscape, integration between control hardware, software, and wider operational networks isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential. A control panel is the central hub that brings your industrial operation to life, combining power distribution, control devices, and automation technology to keep your processes running safely, efficiently, and consistently. Our expert, modern systems are secure, connected, and capable of turning real-time data into meaningful action.
At Control Freaks, we’ve specialised in control panel design, manufacturing, installation and automation for over 25 years, and our expert team of industry-leading engineers have delivered projects for OEMs, special purpose machine builders, energy & infrastructure projects and end users across a wide range of industries, including general manufacturing, food & beverage, and the defence sector, as well as including ATEX plant applications.
From intelligent relay-based panels to advanced systems incorporating PACs (Process Automation Controllers), PLCs, PCs, HMIs, SCADA, data logging, and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), we’ve evolved alongside technology and continue to help our customers do the same.
Our integrated control and automation systems give you the power to:
- Increase output and reduce production time
- Cut operational costs and improve efficiency
- Enhance quality and consistency in production
- Optimise safety and meet compliance standards
- Improve decision-making with real-time data
- Future-proof your operation by providing flexible automation
Our Experience & Credentials
With over 25 years in indus
trial automation, Control Freaks brings a depth of expertise that few can match. We are ISO 9001 certified, demonstrating our commitment to quality and process excellence, and are also an approved Mitsubishi Electric Automation Solutions Partner, giving us access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and support. Our team combines extensive knowledge of both hardware and software integration with proficiency across multiple programming languages and control platforms, ensuring we can deliver robust, future-ready solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Types of Control Panels We Work With
Electrical Control Cabinets
Forming the backbone of most automated systems, our electrical control cabinets manage the safe distribution of power to machinery and auxiliary equipment. Our panels are designed to meet the highest safety and compliance standards, with layouts that ensure reliability, ease of maintenance, and long-term durability.
Industrial Control Panels
Engineered for heavy-duty environments, our industrial control panels are built to manage complex processes across sectors from production lines to process plants. They withstand demanding conditions while integrating seamlessly with wider automation systems. Incorporating robotics, motion control, PLCs, and advanced instrumentation, they deliver reliable, scalable, and precise control across every application.
Motor Control Panels
Our advanced motor control panels with integrated Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) optimise energy use, extend equipment life, and ensure safe operation with built-in overload protection. Replacing outdated methods like star-delta starters, they provide reliable, efficient control of three-phase induction motors. By adjusting output to match real-time demand, our panels cut electricity consumption across a wide range of applications.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your requirements and find out how we can design the right control panel solution for your business.
Industries & Sectors We Serve
We deliver bespoke control panel solutions across a wide range of industries, helping businesses improve efficiency, safety, and reliability. Key sectors we support include:
- Manufacturing & Production Lines
- Process Plants – food & beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, and packaging
- Automotive & Transport – assembly, robotics, motion control
- Energy & Utilities – power distribution, water treatment, renewable energy
- Defence & Aerospace – secure and mission-critical automation
- Logistics & Warehousing – conveyors, automated handling, storage systems
- Construction Materials – cement, aggregates, timber processing
Our Control Panel Automation Process
We follow a proven, structured methodology that ensures every project is delivered to the highest standards of quality, compliance, and reliability, on time and within budget.
Design
Every successful automation project starts with a well-thought-out design. We work closely with clients to fully understand their operational requirements, compliance obligations, and future scalability needs. Our engineers use the latest CAD software and design tools to create bespoke solutions that meet industry standards while remaining practical and efficient to install, operate, and maintain. Find out more about control panel design.
Build
Once the design is approved, our in-house team assembles the control panels using premium components from trusted suppliers. Every panel is built to exacting standards, with careful attention to wiring, labelling, and safety. Each build undergoes rigorous internal testing and quality checks to ensure reliability and compliance before leaving our workshop. Find out more about control panel manufacturing.
Integration
A control panel is only as effective as its ability to integrate with the wider system. We specialise in seamless integration with existing equipment, PLCs, SCADA, robotics, instrumentation, and wider IT or modern-day cloud-based systems. Our experience working across multiple industries means we can adapt to new or legacy environments, ensuring smooth implementation without disruption to operations. Find out more about control panel installation.
Remote Monitoring
Modern automation requires visibility and control beyond the factory floor. We incorporate secure remote monitoring capabilities that allow real-time diagnostics, fault detection, and performance tracking. This means faster response times, reduced downtime, and the ability to make data-driven decisions from anywhere, helping you optimise efficiency and productivity.
By following this process, we not only deliver a finished system, we provide our clients with long-term reliability, operational insight, and confidence in their investment.
Other Control Panel & Automation Services
- Controllers – PACs, PLCs, PCs, IPCs
- Instrumentation – Precision control & feedback, for temperature, flow, pressure, and level monitoring devices using traditional analogue and/or networks.
- Robotics & Motion Control – Automated integrated handling and precision movement solutions
- Industrial Standard Network Integration
- Vision Systems – Machine vision for inspection and quality control
- Inspection & Measurement – Accuracy-driven process validation
- Visualisation and Process Management – HMI and SCADA interfaces
- Data Collection & Analytics – Actionable insights from real-time data
- Edge & Cloud Services – Secure access and storage
- Condition Monitoring & Predictive Maintenance – Increase production uptime
How Control Freaks Can Help You
At Control Freaks, we don’t just build control panels, we engineer solutions that drive performance, efficiency, and long-term reliability. With over 25 years of industry experience, our expert team combines deep technical knowledge with a practical understanding of how automation impacts real-world operations. Whether you need a straightforward control panel build or a fully integrated automation system, we deliver end-to-end services including design, build, commissioning, electrical installations, system retrofits, modernisation, and ongoing support.
We are specialists in “build to print” services for OEMs and machine builders, and we are trusted to deliver exactly to specification with outstanding precision and workmanship. Our ISO 9001 certification, strong OEM partnerships, and proven track record on multi-million-pound projects demonstrate our ability to consistently meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Whether you’re planning a new installation, upgrading existing equipment, or need a trusted partner for complex automation projects, Control Freaks is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your project, and a member of our team will get back to you promptly. Let’s build smarter, safer, and more efficient systems together.
FAQs
Can you upgrade my existing control panel?
Yes, we offer retrofit services to improve performance, compliance, and efficiency without replacing your entire system. We work with Mitsubishi PLC systems, which have the ability to convert and transfer a circa 1980s system to the modern day without starting from scratch.
What Are the Main Systems Used in Industrial Automation?
Industrial automation relies on Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which vary by sector, for example, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, or heavy industry. The most widely used are Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): solid-state systems that are both robust and adaptable.
PLCs are designed to control, monitor, and maintain anything from a single process to an entire production line, using feedback from devices such as switches and sensors. With integrated safety now standard, PLCs power automation across the globe, from firework displays to critical standby power systems in hospitals, telecommunications, banking, and rail networks.
Do you work with OEM designs?
Absolutely. We specialise in “build to print” services, delivering panels exactly to your supplied design.
What Are the Benefits of Automated Control Systems?
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