About Us

Our Philosophy

Our ultimate goal is to deliver superior answers to our customers’ unique automation needs. We partner with and build strong relationships with each client to ensure we have a clear understanding of their objectives, and provide the exceptional results they’ve come to expect from us.

Our focus on customer satisfaction drives us to deliver the highest quality systems and provide turn-key automation solutions that maximize profits for our clients. From project conception, development and installation, to ongoing support needs, our dedicated technical experts will work closely with you to ensure the systems we provide achieve your goals.

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Chief Executive Officer
Loren Esch

Loren began his career with R+D in 1985 as a draftsman/engineer, and was appointed President/CEO in the late 1990’s. In 2011, Loren took principal ownership of the company and expanded operations to accommodate continuing growth. Since then, he has helped build R+D into an enterprise that has realized a steady increase in year over year revenue. His latest endeavor is implementing an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system to streamline resource management and manage customer and vendor relationships.

Chief Technical Officer
Eric Holmes

Joining R+D as a Controls & Electrical Engineering Technician in 1998, Eric has turned his love of technology and electrical engineering into a successful career as the company’s Chief Technical Officer. Eric has traveled throughout North, Central, and South America to install new systems for our customers and troubleshoot technical issues. Eric manages a team of Controls Engineers, while still finding the time to provide technical support for our clients, and increase R+D’s exposure in the market.

Senior Procurement Lead
Doug Landwer

Doug started his career at R+D in 1983 as a Manufacturing Apprentice, before working his way up to Purchasing Lead. With vast expertise in the fields of machining, fabrication, panel building, and mechanical & electrical assembly, Doug now leads the Purchasing Department and oversees the quality and integrity of all outsourced machined components that serve as the system building blocks for some of the most trusted and recognized names in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

1977 Began as a tool and die shop
(5,000 sq ft)

1980-83 Automation, producing turnkey systems
(10,000 sq ft)

1985-98 Full integration capabilities
(15,000 sq ft)

2004-06 CNC capabilities and expansion
(20,000 sq ft)

2012-15 Advanced capabilities and expansion
(37,000 sq ft)

2019-22 Flex capacity capabilities and expansion
(65,000 sq. ft.)
New facility is in SE Wisconsin

Our History

R+D started as a tool and die shop in 1977. Since then, it has continuously expanded its automation capabilities to bring the latest proven, innovative, and fully customized systems to its customers.

Today our facilities are 65,000 square feet and we’ve built a team of knowledgeable and experienced engineers, machinists, and assemblers. With its capable team, R+D provides full-service capabilities so 98% of project work can stay in-house, allowing greater control and accountability for budget, quality, and deadlines. If deadlines and time to market are driving factors, R+D’s Proven Flex Capacity model can be used.

Testimonials

“R+D has played a tremendous role in helping us increase our efficiency, productivity, and quality of our products across all of our centers. Through their high degree of expertise in the automation industry, we confidently and consistently rely on them to help us brainstorm, design, and implement new technologies every day.”Process Development Engineer, Pharmaceutical Industry

“R+D is an absolute pleasure to do business with. We use R+D for everything from small, manual workstations to highly sophisticated robotic automation and every project has exceeded our expectations. R+D stands out because they listen to our requirements and needs. Simply put, they are our partner today and in the future.”Pharmaceutical Supplier

“R+D has developed efficient, robust mechanisms to satisfy our production needs.”Consumer Goods manufacturer

“I wanted to thank the R+D Custom Automation Team for their outstanding turn-around. We had a very challenging project and the R+D Team from their executive management team to support staff we were able to meet all of our goals on-time or ahead of schedule. They were able to handle multiple changes and expedite almost impossible lead times on equipment so that we could deliver a machine that runs at rated speed with capabilities to run higher than spec at a fair price. Great Work! ”Major Pharmaceutical Project Manager

“Reliable, dependable, on target… that’s been my experience.”Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

“I just wanted to say thank you for helping us out today with the part we needed for our equipment. The equipment would have been down for half the day if you had not helped. There are not a lot of companies that would help us the way you did and react so quickly. You’re all a class act and I appreciate your effort.”Pharmaceutical Supplier

Strategic Partners

We stand behind the quality in every piece of equipment that we build for our clients. That means that the technologies we integrate must be dependable.  Our strategic partners manufacture components and systems that we rely on everyday to carry out tasks that our customers are counting on.  Click on any link below to learn more about the companies that build technologies that we trust.

Our Partners