Lincolnshire automation specialist celebrates 20 years of engineering innovation

Control Freaks, founded by automation engineer Clint Johnson, has spent the past two decades helping businesses across the UK improve their manufacturing and industrial processes through highly specialised control systems.

Now based at Holbeach Technology Park, the company has recently expanded into premises three times the size of its previous site to support continued growth. From its Lincolnshire base, Control Freaks has grown from a one-person operation into a team of skilled engineers delivering complex automation projects for industries including food manufacturing, construction, recycling, automotive and industrial processing. 

Today, the company is recognised for solving complex engineering challenges across UK industry and is helping to put Lincolnshire firmly on the map as a go-to location for industrial automation expertise.

Specialist automation expertise behind Control Freaks 

Control Freaks designs and installs advanced control systems that power modern industrial operations. These systems manage and monitor machinery, production lines, and safety processes across a wide range of industries.

The company works with globally recognised automation technology brands, including Siemens, Allen Bradley, Omron, Schneider, Keyence, and has been a Mitsubishi Electric Approved Partner since its early years in business.

Over the past 20 years, the team has built a formidable reputation for delivering reliable systems and developing long-term relationships with customers. “We’re fortunate that many of our projects lead directly to further work with the same clients,” said Clint Johnson. “That comes down to the quality of the systems we deliver and the relationships we build with our customers.”

Clint also highlighted the growing demand for skilled engineers as automation becomes increasingly important across the industry. To help support the future of the sector, Control Freaks is investing time in developing its team and supporting engineers early in their careers.

Landmark projects and growth

During its 20-year journey, Control Freaks has delivered a number of high-profile and technically demanding projects, including work on swimming pool control systems for both the London Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The team has even supported specialist systems behind a televised illusion, helping a magician appear to walk on water.

Alongside these standout projects, Control Freaks has delivered complex automation solutions for major manufacturers and engineering organisations across the UK, including Bakkavor, Greencore, ITP Aero, Pilgrim’s Pride, Aston Martin and Mitsubishi Electric, further reinforcing its reputation for handling challenging, high-specification work.

As the business has grown, so too has its team of engineers and automation specialists, allowing Control Freaks to take on increasingly complex projects. Reflecting on the milestone, founder Clint Johnson said the company’s success has been built on quality engineering and the strength of its team. “For us it has always been about doing the job properly,” he said. “Every system we deliver has to work reliably and perform exactly as it should.”

Clint added that watching the team develop has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. “Some of the people who joined us early in their careers have grown into highly skilled engineers. Watching that development over time is something of which makes me incredibly proud.”

Looking to the future

As Control Freaks celebrates its 20th anniversary, Clint says the focus is on continuing to grow and developing the next generation of engineers. “There is always new technology emerging and new challenges to solve,” he said. “That’s what makes this industry so exciting, and we’re looking forward to the next chapter.”

Control Freaks will mark the anniversary this month as the company reflects on two decades of engineering innovation and looks ahead to future growth.