JR Automation Company Profile: History, Ownership and Business
Updated: 7 days ago
JR Automation is an American systems integrator that builds automated manufacturing and distribution systems, owned by Hitachi. It was founded in 1980 in Holland, Michigan, and Hitachi agreed in 2019 to buy it for USD 1.425 billion. This profile sets out its history, ownership and business.
JR Automation at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | JR Automation |
Founded | 1980 |
Headquarters | Holland, Michigan, USA |
Parent | Hitachi |
Purchase price | USD 1.425 billion, announced April 24, 2019 |
Size at the time of the deal | About 2,000 employees, 23 facilities, revenue of about USD 600 million in 2018 |
History and Ownership
The private equity firm Crestview Partners acquired JR Automation in 2015, when it had five facilities in North America. By 2019 it had 23 facilities worldwide. On April 24, 2019, Hitachi announced that it would buy the company from Crestview for USD 1.425 billion, with closing expected by the end of that year. Bryan Jones was chief executive at the time. The deal gave Hitachi a robotic systems integration business in North America.
Key milestones
1980: Founded.
2015: Acquired by Crestview Partners.
April 24, 2019: Hitachi announces the acquisition.
Business
JR Automation designs and builds custom automated systems. Industries served include automotive, aerospace, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food processing and construction.
Can You Invest in JR Automation?
Not directly. Its parent, Hitachi, is a listed company. This is general information, not investment advice.
What Is Not Covered
Current employee numbers, sales and leadership are not stated in the source used; the figures above date from 2019.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
Scale among North American integrators.
A parent with digital and industrial resources.
A spread of industries.
Challenges
Project business that depends on customer investment.
Integration into a very large group.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 4 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
JR Automation FAQ
Who owns JR Automation?
Hitachi, which announced the acquisition in April 2019.
How much did Hitachi pay for JR Automation?
USD 1.425 billion.
Where is JR Automation based?
In Holland, Michigan.
When was JR Automation founded?
In 1980.
Sources
The Robot Report: Hitachi acquiring JR Automation
