Our Journey

Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence: The Story of Automation Inc.

In 1966, Mr. Ronald D. Hall opened the doors of Automation Inc., a West Hartford, Connecticut-based company he co-founded with William J. Hunt. The venture was established to serve the region's machine tool, construction, and transit industries. From day one, the business focused on two cornerstone product lines: Weatherhead hydraulic hose and fittings, and Lincoln Industrial lubrication equipment.

Today, as we proudly mark our 60th anniversary, Automation Inc. remains a trusted leader in the industry. We continue to proudly feature the Weatherhead and Lincoln (now part of SKF) product lines, while offering a comprehensive range of hydraulic, pneumatic, and lubrication solutions from more than 70 leading brand-name vendors.

Robert (Bob) Dodge began his career with Automation Inc. in 1988, shortly after graduating from American International College. Starting in the warehouse, he advanced through roles in inside sales, outside sales, and sales management before being appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing by Mr. Hall.

In 2015, after 49 years of dedicated leadership, Mr. Hall retired, and Bob Dodge became the owner and President of Automation Inc. Under Bob's guidance, the company has significantly expanded its reach to encompass all of New England and Upstate New York. As a premier distributor of Lincoln/SKF, Graco, and other top-tier lubrication systems, Automation Inc. delivers exceptional customer service and innovative product solutions across its expanded territories.

Over six decades, Automation Inc. has earned numerous accolades that reflect our commitment to quality and performance, including:

• The Lincoln Industrial "Distinguished Distributor Award" — received seven times

• The "Distributor of the Year Award" from Eaton/Weatherhead

• The "Superior Performance Award" from Eaton/Weatherhead

• The "Superior Achievement Award" from Eaton/Weatherhead

These honors underscore our longstanding dedication to excellence, technical expertise, and customer satisfaction.

From our headquarters at 707 Oakwood Avenue in West Hartford, Automation Inc. continues to build on its legacy—designing, installing, and servicing automated lubrication systems, hydraulic solutions, and more for industries across the region. Here's to 60 years of innovation, relationships, and reliability—and many more to come!