cts and IndPro at APEX EXPO 2026 in Anaheim
Smart, individually configurable intralogistics solutions for efficient electronics manufacturing
Burgkirchen/Alz (Germany), February 23, 2026 +++ At the APEX EXPO in Anaheim from March 17 to 19, 2026, the cts Group will present its proven components for the 'Smart Electronics Factory': scalable and configurable solutions for automating intralogistics that can be seamlessly integrated into existing production environments. The smart warehouse lines and buffer stations from cts ensure the flow of materials on the line, minimizing downtime and increasing throughput. This year, the German automation expert will be exhibiting at booth #2446 (exhibit halls C-D) together with its local partner IndPro. The specialist for increasing efficiency in warehouse and distribution centers brings cts solutions to US factories with local implementation and support.
The electronics industry in the United States is currently under pressure from two sides: on the one hand, from a shortage of workers, and on the other, from the extreme variety of products. To remain competitive in this situation, many companies have already invested in state-of-the-art, automated SMT lines for their factories. However, the overall equipment effectiveness still often suffers because the material continues to be handled manually before and after the line. The result is downtime, searching, and chaos on the line. cts, a full-service provider of customized automation and digitalization headquartered in Germany, offers a solution: "Our smart warehouses and buffer stations close the 'last mile gap'," says Alfred Pammer, VP Sales Marketing and Product Management Factory Automation at cts. "They provide KLTs, magazines, and trays just-in-time at the point of use, manage WIP in a controlled manner, and reduce the effort required for travel and decision-making. The key is material-flow integration, so that the line is continuously supplied."
Standardized core modules – configurable and scalable
A major advantage of cts’ solutions is that they are fully configurable. "High product diversity and constant changeovers are the norm in US electronics plants," explains Mark Juelich, CEO of IndPro, cts' US partner company. "One-size-fits-all automation usually forces process changes, or it breaks down the moment reality hits the floor." "The cts approach therefore is to adapt the solution to the customer’s reality and not the factory to a product catalog," describes Alfred Pammer. "That’s where sustainable ROI and uptime come from." The cts expert emphasizes: "But tailor-made does not mean experimental. We offer a hybrid model – close to standard, but individually configurable, which balances speed, cost, and accuracy of fit. Our customers get predictable delivery, validated modules, and industrial maturity, while still being able to tailor the solution to their footprint, modes of transport, throughput profile, and IT landscape. Also, the solution enables phased scaling: start with a focused use case and then expand to a broader material network without restarting from scratch."
Seamless connection to existing systems via manufacturer-independent middleware
The proprietary middleware sloXis ensures that cts systems can be seamlessly networked with existing IT structures and other process-relevant systems. Since factories rarely remain static and are almost never environments with only one manufacturer, it is crucial that cts middleware can be used independently of manufacturers: "sloXis acts as an orchestration layer: it integrates different AMR brands and automation components via standardized interfaces, centrally manages orders, priorities, and material tracking, and prevents 'software islands'," explains Alfred Pammer. "Customers avoid lock-in effects, can select the most suitable technologies, and expand over time while retaining a uniform, maintainable operating system."
IndPro: local contact for comprehensive service
As the local project and service manager, cts partner IndPro is responsible for integrating cts systems for US customers on site. From discovery workshops and concept design to commissioning, training, and long-term support, electronics manufacturers receive all services from a single source. "The first step is a short on-site workshop," says Mark Juelich. "We map the PCB magazine flow, quantify what is driving line stops, and define targets for throughput, changeovers, and space. Based on this, we develop a phased concept and roadmap, something the customer can actually execute, starting with the biggest bottleneck and expanding from there." Along with this, IndPro offers US customers comprehensive support: "We back the system with a 24/7/365 Midwest-based help line that is answered by trained technicians who know the platform, not a call center. On top of that, we have local and regional preventative maintenance teams that can get on-site when needed and keep the system tuned before small issues become downtime." Alfred Pammer adds: "With IndPro, our US customers have an experienced contact who guarantees fast response times and service in their time zone and understands how US factories operate on a day-to-day basis. Together, we combine technical expertise and proven intralogistics components with local market knowledge and implementation expertise."
APEX EXPO 2026 in Anaheim
cts and IndPro will be presenting together at the APEX EXPO in Anaheim. Visitors to the booth can expect to meet a team of consultants and engineers who are ready to develop a solution tailored to the specific requirements of their plant: "To get the most out of a conversation at the booth, visitors should bring concrete input with them," advises Alfred Pammer. "A layout sketch, the carrier types, approximate volumes and changeover patterns, as well as the typical reasons for line stops. Information about the IT landscape and a few photos or short videos of the material flow are also helpful. With that, we can quickly move from 'interesting hardware' to a credible material flow concept and a next-step-roadmap."
Make an appointment
To arrange an appointment for a detailed one-on-one meeting during or after the trade fair, please contact us via our contact form or get in touch directly with Alfred Pammer (VP Sales Marketing and Product Management Factory Automation at cts) or Mark Juelich (CEO IndPro) on LinkedIn.
About cts Group
The cts Group is an independent full-service provider addressing the four key challenges of modern industry: stable process control, automated production, digital data infrastructure and secure energy supply. In sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, energy and food, cts supports companies with practical planning, technical implementation and reliable project management. The cts service portfolio is divided into four main areas:
Process Automation (Smart Processes) offers complete and system-independent automation and support of process engineering production processes - from electrical planning, control cabinet construction and assembly to control, commissioning, calibration, maintenance and continuous optimization.
With Factory Automation (Smart Manufacturing), cts supports manufacturing companies in the automation of their production and logistics processes - with individually adaptable systems and machinery for machine loading, material flow, packaging and special industrial processes, for example in electronics production, semiconductor technology or radiopharmaceuticals.
Industrial Informatics (Smart Data) focuses on scalable platform solutions for cross-location transparency and process understanding, which serve as the foundation for data-based decisions in industrial environments. End-to-end communication between IT and OT ensures that industrial data is complete, comprehensible and usable - across locations, in real time and in compliance with the highest security standards.
With Smart Energy Technology, cts assists companies in the planning, expansion and modernization of critical energy infrastructures - such as substations, transformer stations and gas compressor plants - and takes over project management and coordination from the feasibility study to acceptance.
The cts Group works independently of manufacturers and on an interdisciplinary basis - with a broad range of services from concept development and project management to long-term support for technical systems. Since its founding in 2006, cts has developed into an internationally active company with locations in Europe, Asia and North America. The head office is located in the south of Germany.
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