Control Network Newsletter
Contemporary Controls Celebrates 47 Years
Contemporary Controls has been designing and manufacturing network automation products for 47 years. The company is headquartered in Downers Grove, a suburb 22 miles west of Chicago, and has been a supplier of network, integration, and control products since 1975.
Contemporary Controls began in George Thomas' rec room with a home-made microprocessor and help from his wife, Judy. While working with a new Intel microprocessor, Thomas realized that it had great potential for control and monitoring applications. He developed the first microprocessor-based computing ratiometer for the textile industry to measure web tension of cascaded pull rolls.
Today, Contemporary Controls is a leading manufacturer of network, integration, and control equipment for the building, energy, and industrial automation industries leveraging technologies such as BACnet, Cellular, Ethernet, IoT, and Modbus. With wholly owned operations in the UK, Germany, and China that serve the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC), the company's resilience can be seen through its ability to adapt to new technologies and customer requirements in an ever-changing worldwide marketplace.
During the pandemic shutdowns, Contemporary Controls' HVAC control products were deemed essential in the operations and safety of hospitals and urgent care facilities. "With a manufacturing process in place, we were able to remain fully operational throughout the pandemic and deliver these products when and where they were needed most," said Thomas. "Our manufacturing facility at our Illinois headquarters remained fully operational, and the production crew never missed a day."
Contemporary Controls has two manufacturing locations, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Suzhou, PRC. Both operations are ISO9001:2015 registered. Last month, the Illinois facility was audited and recertified by QAS International Ltd. (QAS) for meeting ISO 9001:2015 requirements for another year. The facility in China has maintained its certification as well.
The Illinois operation is ideal for prototyping, and producing high-mix, low-volume and "Made in USA" products. This facility also provides original design manufacturing (ODM) services to design and develop proprietary application-ready products for ODM customers. The China operation is better suited for high-volume, low-mix production. In either location, intellectual property is protected.
Contemporary Controls is grateful for the hard work and dedication of our staff, and for our customers and partners who place their trust in us. As always, we will strive to exceed expectations.