THOMASVILLE, N.C.—Industrial automation company DSI Innovations said in a release that it acquired Grand Rapids-based Huffman Automation, effective November 1, 2024. The acquisition, along with the opening of a new office in Cincinnati, is said to strategically position DSI at the center of the U.S. manufacturing belt, reinforcing its commitment to serving key manufacturing regions.

Headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina, DSI Innovations provides automation and control systems across machine, process, discrete, building, and data automation applications. The company said it offers a full range of automation services from system design and implementation to commissioning of industrial control and data systems.

“The acquisition of Huffman Automation provides us with an established base of operations in Michigan, while our new office in Cincinnati puts DSI in the heart of the U.S. manufacturing belt,” said Jason Dupre, CEO of DSI Innovations, in the release. “From these two locations, DSI will support existing and new clients across many of the top 10 manufacturing states, including Ohio (3), Illinois (4), Michigan (5), Pennsylvania (6), Indiana (8), and Wisconsin (9). With our headquarters in North Carolina (10), DSI now has the personnel and geographical reach to serve clients across seven of the leading manufacturing states in the U.S.”

Scott Huffman, founder and owner of Huffman Automation, and current Team Leader of DSI’s Jacksonville, Florida office, also commented on the collaboration. Huffman Automation specializes in industrial automation, plant-floor data integration, PLC and HMI programming, controls design (including CAD), and custom software development.

“Through this transition, I’ve been able to use my experience to continue growing our Jacksonville office and delivering value to our customers,” Huffman said in the release. “As Huffman Automation becomes part of DSI, I look forward to expanding our reach further throughout the industry, including breaking into new sectors across the Midwest. If you treat your customers and employees right, growth follows naturally.”