Founded in 2009, Hack Smarter Manufacturing began as a small industrial automation consultancy in Toledo, Ohio, working primarily with mid-sized automotive suppliers in the Midwest. At the time, the focus was simple: help manufacturers modernize outdated equipment using affordable, open-source hardware and smarter PLC integrations.
As digital transformation began reshaping global supply chains, Hack Smarter pivoted to meet new demands. By 2013, the company had launched its first in-house MES (Manufacturing Execution System), enabling real-time monitoring and analytics for small factory floors. Word spread, and by 2015, Hack Smarter was serving clients in the aerospace, food processing, and renewable energy sectors.
In 2018, the company opened its Innovation Lab in Austin, Texas, hiring data scientists and systems engineers to push the boundaries of AI-driven predictive maintenance and digital twin simulations. This marked a turning point—transforming Hack Smarter from a consulting firm into a product-and-platform company.
Today, Hack Smarter Manufacturing supports over 150 clients across North America, delivering everything from cloud-based OEE tracking to fully automated robotics cells. Our team continues to believe that the smartest systems are those designed with both people and process in mind.
🛠️ Milestones
- 2009: Company founded in Toledo, OH
- 2012: First major contract with Tier 1 automotive supplier
- 2015: Launched SmartOps™ MES platform
- 2018: Opened Austin Innovation Lab
- 2021: Named “Top 100 Industrial Tech Innovators” by Midwest Manufacturing Review
- 2024: Released cloud-based AI Predictive Maintenance Suite