Most design houses hand their finished blueprints to a contract manufacturer who had no role in creating them. That split between design and production introduces risk, longer lead times, and divided accountability. CRI does both, under the same roof, with the same team. When something needs to be adjusted mid-program, the engineers who built it make the call.
Control Resources
About Control Resources and Our OEM Electronics Expertise
For more than 40 years, Control Resources, Inc. has designed and manufactured custom power-electronic controls for OEM engineering teams across some of the most demanding industries in the world. Everything we build is engineered and produced domestically at our facility in Acton, MA, by the same team that will support your program for its entire lifecycle.
Our History
By Engineers, For Engineers, Since 1984
Control Resources, Inc. was founded in 1984 by electrical engineer Warren Kundert, whose work in acoustical noise control led directly to the invention of the fan speed controller and the SmartFan® product line. From the beginning, CRI has operated under a single standard: design it here, build it here, and stand behind it fully. Our commitment to domestic manufacturing and engineering has produced 400+ custom designs across HVAC, medical, telecom, military, and motor control applications.
Trusted By:
Fan, Motor & Device Cooling Control Solutions
Our Services
OEMs who need to control air, thermal levels, or motor speeds for their specific application rely on us to get it done right—building a partnership that lasts for years, not months.
Thermal Management & Fan Control in HVAC Systems
For HVAC manufacturers, fan OEMs, exhaust hood builders, and heat pump producers looking for reliable control over airflow and thermal behavior.
Device Cooling
For medical devices, telecom enclosures, data center equipment, and defense electronics that require precise cooling control.
Motor Speed Control
For fractional horsepower BLDC, brushed DC, EC, or PSC motors that need custom speed control.
Custom Electronic Control Solutions
Why Choose Control Resources?
An Engineering Partner, Not Just a Vendor
We get into the technical weeds alongside your team, help define the specs, build the prototype, and see the program through production. That’s how we’ve operated for over 40 years.
400+ Custom Designs Delivered
Four decades and more than 400 custom designs across HVAC, medical, telecom, defense, and motor control give us a deep bench when your application gets complex.
We Only Build What We Design
Design and manufacturing live under one roof, which means we’re accountable for both. Our typical design schedule runs 8 to 10 weeks, with production lead times of 5 to 6 weeks, both made possible by lean overhead and 90 to 95% shared stock components across designs.
Every Unit Made in USA
All design and manufacturing happens at our Massachusetts facility. Domestic production means quality control, shorter lead times, and a partner you can count on.
Competitive Development Fees
Our success is tied to your program’s success because our business model relies on making money from continued programs instead of design hours. Our design fees actually only represent less than 3% of our revenue.
Direct Access to Our Engineers
When something comes up, you can reach the engineers who built your boards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About CRI
What is the Design Fee Assurance model, and why does it matter?
Design fees represent less than 3% of CRI’s total revenue. Because our business model depends on production success rather than upfront fees, we can price design work at or below cost and absorb some of your program risk directly.
What production volumes does CRI typically support?
CRI is built for OEMs in the 1,000 to 10,000 unit-per-year range. That’s the window where deep customization makes real engineering sense, but high-volume catalog manufacturers won’t engage. We’ve designed for growth-stage hardware companies and global enterprises alike.
What does it mean that CRI only manufactures what it designs?
It means every board that leaves our facility was designed here first, with production cost and assembly in mind from day one. We use 90 to 95% shared stock components across designs, which keeps our overhead lean and your per-unit cost lower than you’d expect from a fully custom build.
Insights
Engineering Resources
Engineering insights, product updates, and resources to help with your next project.
One Board, 70+ Integrations: How Heatco and CRI Consolidated Five+ Controls into One
One Board, 70+ Integrations: How Heatco and CRI Consolidated Five+ Controls into One
CRI Design Guide: Custom Fan Speed Controls & Alarm Integration
CRI Design Guide: Custom Fan Speed Controls & Alarm Integration
CRI Design Guide: Fractional HP VFDs
CRI Design Guide: Fractional HP VFDs
CRI Design Guide: Brushless Motor Controllers
CRI Design Guide: Brushless Motor Controllers
Temperature Conversion Chart
Temperature Conversion Chart
CRI SmartFan® Applications
CRI SmartFan® Applications
SmartFan® Installation Tips
SmartFan® Installation Tips
I2C Communications Tips
I2C Communications Tips
Device Cooling Design Tips
Device Cooling Design Tips
Thermal Design for ATCA Systems: Compliance, Interfaces, and Fan Tray Architecture
Thermal Design for ATCA Systems: Compliance, Interfaces, and Fan Tray Architecture
SmartFan Integration: The Case for Adaptive Cooling
SmartFan Integration: The Case for Adaptive Cooling
AC Motor Compatibility
AC Motor Compatibility
Custom AC Motor Control with Programmable Keypad in NEMA 4X Enclosure
Custom AC Motor Control with Programmable Keypad in NEMA 4X Enclosure
Fan Controller Technology and Motor Efficiency
Fan Controller Technology and Motor Efficiency
How CRI Reduced This Boiler Controller Cost by nearly 50% via Board Integration
How CRI Reduced This Boiler Controller Cost by nearly 50% via Board Integration
Custom Electronic Design & Manufacturing: Advanced Irrigation Controller
Custom Electronic Design & Manufacturing: Advanced Irrigation Controller
Raphael 4040 Delivers Selective No-Mask Conformal Coating
Raphael 4040 Delivers Selective No-Mask Conformal Coating
Control Resources Introduces LabStrobe II with Rechargeable Power Source
Control Resources Introduces LabStrobe II with Rechargeable Power Source
Control Resources adds 4 New Sensor options
Control Resources adds 4 New Sensor options
Control Resources Deemed Essential by Customers and the Commonwealth During Corona Pandemic
Control Resources Deemed Essential by Customers and the Commonwealth During Corona Pandemic
SmartFan® Multi SD DC Fan Controller, NOW FIELD PROGRAMMABLE
SmartFan® Multi SD DC Fan Controller, NOW FIELD PROGRAMMABLE
CRI Adds Nimbus II Triac AC Fan Speed Controller
CRI Adds Nimbus II Triac AC Fan Speed Controller
Cirrus 6 and Vortex DC Fan Control – CE Certification Update
Cirrus 6 and Vortex DC Fan Control – CE Certification Update
CRI Introduces New Aurora Motor Controller
CRI Introduces New Aurora Motor Controller
CRI Introduces Universal Brushless DC Motor Controller
CRI Introduces Universal Brushless DC Motor Controller
Work With Us
If your current control is holding your product back, or you’re starting from scratch and need a partner who’ll see it through, let’s dig into the details together. Reach out to the team and we’ll take it from there.
