Summus has acquired Controls For Automation (CFA), a Taunton, Massachusetts-based supplier of pneumatic and motion control solutions, expanding its engineering, system integration and assembly capabilities across New England. The deal is intended to broaden Summus’ product and service offerings for industrial, medical and technology-focused customers.
CFA has served customers for more than 50 years, supplying pneumatic and fluid power products alongside motion control solutions. Its services include system integration, inventory management, serialization, labeling, custom engineering and subassembly. The company serves applications in medical equipment, packaging, semiconductor manufacturing, custom machine building, printing and biochemistry.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
“Controls For Automation brings together exactly what we look for as we grow: deep technical expertise, strong customer relationships and a service model that closely aligns with our own,” said Shawn Toney, CEO of Summus.
Toney said the acquisition would expand the products, technical expertise and engineered solutions available to customers while strengthening the company’s presence in New England.
Broader Engineering and Automation Portfolio
The acquisition builds on Summus’ strategy of combining distribution, technology, engineering and assembled solutions. CFA’s expertise in pneumatics, motion control and system integration adds capabilities that could help the combined business support customers across more stages of product development and manufacturing.
Pneumatic systems use compressed air to control mechanical movement, while motion control technologies regulate the position, speed and movement of machinery. Both are used in automated manufacturing, packaging equipment and specialized industrial systems.
By integrating CFA’s technical services with its existing portfolio, Summus aims to support customer requirements from initial design through production. The combined capabilities could also help customers source components and engineering services through a broader supplier network.
CFA’s established relationships across industrial and technology markets provide Summus with an additional route to expand its presence in applications requiring specialized automation and fluid power expertise.
Liquid Cooling and Semiconductor Opportunities
The companies also identified liquid cooling and semiconductor technologies as areas where the acquisition could create opportunities for the combined business.
Liquid cooling has become increasingly relevant to high-performance computing and data center infrastructure, where rising power densities increase thermal management requirements. Semiconductor manufacturing also relies on specialized equipment, precise motion control and engineered fluid-handling systems.
The announcement did not specify planned investments, new products or revenue targets for these applications. However, the combination gives Summus access to CFA’s technical capabilities and customer relationships in semiconductor-related markets.
For CFA, joining Summus provides access to broader organizational resources and complementary products and services. The company expects to build on its existing customer relationships while pursuing additional growth opportunities within the expanded portfolio.
Customer Support to Continue During Transition
CFA owner and president Dave Mochi said the acquisition would give the company a stronger platform to serve customers while maintaining its focus on technical expertise and responsiveness.
CFA customers will continue to receive product and service support throughout the transition, according to the announcement. The companies did not provide a timeline for operational integration or outline any planned changes to staffing, facilities or management.
The acquisition reflects a broader strategy among industrial suppliers to expand beyond component distribution into engineering, system integration and customized solutions. These services can help manufacturers address increasingly complex automation requirements through fewer supplier relationships.
