The ATC Automation Story

The ATC Automation Story

The ATC Automation Story

Since our inception in 1977, ATC has evolved from a specialized precision fixture and tooling shop into a leader in custom automation solutions for customers in North America and beyond. Our journey is defined by a commitment to becoming an indispensable partner for our clients, moving beyond the role of a traditional equipment vendor. 

Originally known as the Automation Tool and Engineering Company, we have spent decades navigating the complexities of the industrial landscape, engineering solutions where precision meets innovation. Today, ATC is proud to be a part of TASI Test and Automation, a globally diversified group providing advanced assembly, test, and inspection solutions to several thousand customers worldwide.

The ATC Automation Story

Our Evolution: From Precision Roots to Global Impact

Our Evolution: From Precision Roots to Global Impact

The early years of ATC were characterized by a vision to revolutionize manufacturing through precision fixtures, tooling, and small-scale machinery. As our expertise grew, our capabilities transformed into designing and building custom automation systems to meet the diverse needs of prominent global companies. A significant milestone in this growth was the 2021 acquisition of Dynamic Automation & Robotics in Simi Valley, CA, which has since been fully integrated into the ATC brand, expanding our physical presence and enriching our technical expertise.

Dedicated Divisions: Gain Access to Specialized Expertise

To ensure our clients work with teams that truly understand their unique market pressures, we have formalized our structure into three core divisions:

Life Science
Life Science Division
Life Science Division

Developed to address the fundamental truth that life-critical products require specialized quality and regulatory focus. We provide structured, audit-ready validation and long-term partnership throughout clinical trials and funding cycles.

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Consumer Product
Consumer Product Division
Consumer Product Division

Built to support the future of domestic manufacturing by focusing on design agility, cost pressures, and reliable production.

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General Industry
General Industry
General Industry

Leveraging our deep foundation in automotive and industrial sectors to drive innovation in high-growth markets like Electric Vehicles (EV) and Energy Storage.

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Our Approach to Custom Automation

ATC’s approach is rooted in close collaboration and precision, treating every project as a true partnership rather than a transaction. Each opportunity begins with in-depth discussions to understand the underlying goals, constraints, and manufacturing realities driving the project. Through this collaborative process, ATC works alongside the customer to define and refine a custom solution, using that shared insight to determine the right combination of technologies needed to achieve reliable, high-performing automation.

Once aligned, a dedicated operational team carries the project forward, maintaining continuity, transparency, and regular review from concept through build and installation. Capabilities such as Virtual Commissioning (VC) and integrated validation help reduce risk and confirm performance, but always in service of the larger goal: delivering a tailored, proven system that performs exactly as required.

Two Hubs of Excellence

ATC Automation’s state-of-the-art facilities serve as centers for innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

Cookeville, TN: North American Headquarters

Cookeville, TN: North American Headquarters

Cookeville, TN: North American Headquarters

Our 210,000-square-foot Cookeville campus is the heart of our operations, featuring:

  • 95,000 square feet of clean assembly space
  • State-of-the-art automation lab for proof-of-concept and training
  • 310 skilled trades, with over 100 engineers on staff
  • Vertical integration with two shift machining and fabrication to ensure on-time delivery
  • ISO 9001:2015 certification
  • Round-the-clock support, with a global service team regionally based near the customer
  • Solid Works and 3D modeling
  • On-site installation support, training, operation manuals, and customer service
  • 100% cross-functional team
Cookeville, TN: North American Headquarters
Ethan Bernhardt Ethan Bernhardt
Ethan Bernhardt President, Automation Segment “Through the strength of our employees and the support of our industry partners, is the industry leader in Custom Automation. Having developed a Customer Focused operational structure where our Value Proposition is measured not only by the solutions we engineer, but by the relationships we build, the trust we earn and the impact we have on our customers’ businesses. Knowing our customers have many options when it comes to automated solutions, we strive to be known as “the place you WANT to do business”. Our Customer First approach is not a philosophy, it is our culture!”
“Through the strength of our employees and the support of our industry partners, is the industry leader in Custom Automation. Having developed a Customer Focused operational structure where our Value Proposition is measured not only by the solutions we engineer, but by the relationships we build, the trust we earn and the impact we have on our customers’ businesses. Knowing our customers have many options when it comes to automated solutions, we strive to be known as “the place you WANT to do business”. Our Customer First approach is not a philosophy, it is our culture!”

Simi Valley, CA: West Coast Operations

Simi Valley, CA: West Coast Operations

Simi Valley, CA: West Coast Operations

Our 25,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Simi Valley stands as a beacon of cutting-edge technology on the West Coast, providing strategic access to a diverse talent pool and excellent transportation networks. This location offers:

  • 1,500 square feet of clean assembly space
  • State-of-the-art automation lab for proof-of-concept and training
  • Vertical integration with machining and fabrication
  • On-site installation, support, and training
  • Validation services
Simi Valley, CA: West Coast Operations

Our People-First Commitment

Our People-First Commitment

Our People-First Commitment

We are defined by the individuals behind the innovation: over 100 engineers and 300+ skilled tradespeople who live and breathe the technical and regulatory nuances of your market. We believe that a successful project is a narrative of partnership, not just a technical transaction. This means we prioritize human connection and transparency at every stage of the journey. Each solution we build is a result of open communication and shared knowledge between our team and yours.

Our People-First Commitment

ATC: Your Go-To Partner for Innovative Automation

Today, ATC serves as a dependable partner to organizations across a vast spectrum of industries, including world-renowned brands. With an extensive portfolio of successful projects, we have become the go-to choice for companies aiming to modernize their processes, increase efficiency, and maintain their competitive edge.

Looking forward, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in automation. Our mission is to continue providing the intelligent, custom solutions that help businesses navigate a complex industrial landscape with confidence.

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