Ford’s decision to rehire hundreds of veteran engineers after AI quality checks fell short has put a fresh spotlight on what actually works in automation, and where human expertise still matters. For investors, the question is not whether robots or people “win,” but which companies are positioned to supply the tools, systems, and services that factories will keep relying on as they rebalance between AI, robotics, and experienced staff. This article looks at 3 stocks from our Industrial Automation & Robotics screener that appear positively exposed to the issues highlighted by Ford’s experience.

Scott Technology (NZSE:SCT)

Overview: Scott Technology designs and builds automated and robotic production lines for appliance makers, food processors, and miners, combining equipment like palletising systems, meat processing solutions, and Rocklabs crushers and sample preparation tools into end to end systems that keep factories running efficiently. The company also supports these installations with software and services across New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe, and the Americas.

Operations: Scott Technology generates most of its revenue from Europe at NZ$113.5m, followed by the Americas at NZ$69.8m, Rocklabs at NZ$53.4m, Australia at NZ$33.0m, China at NZ$18.8m, and New Zealand at NZ$12.8m, partly offset by NZ$19.6m of eliminations between segments.

Market Cap: NZ$223.3m

Scott Technology operates in the area targeted by the Ford rethink on automation, supplying robotics and control systems that still rely on human engineers for design, installation, and ongoing optimisation. Earnings growth has been strong recently, with margins improving and revenue growth forecasts comfortably ahead of the wider New Zealand market. At the same time, the P/E sits well below many peers in the machinery sector. On the other hand, the business relies on external borrowing and has a relatively new management team plus an outgoing CFO. This adds execution risk just as large materials handling and Rocklabs contracts ramp up. For investors who view the future of automation as a combination of people and machines, this mix of global contracts, quality focus, and governance questions may warrant closer attention.

Scott Technology’s improving margins and low P/E hint at a story the market may not be fully pricing in yet, especially as Rocklabs contracts build and debt adds pressure. Get the DCF valuation analysis for Scott Technology to see what that combination could really imply.

Elmet Group (ELMT)

Overview: Elmet Group manufactures precision refractory metal components and high power microwave systems that sit inside critical equipment for aerospace, defense and government, industrial, medical, semiconductor, electronics and energy customers. Its products, from tungsten and molybdenum parts to radio frequency and microwave assemblies, support applications such as radar, missile tracking, directed energy systems, fusion research and advanced industrial processing.

Operations: Elmet Group generates most of its revenue from Critical Materials and Components at about US$181.0m, with Engineered Microwave Products contributing roughly US$30.2m, and almost all sales coming from the United States at around US$208.1m.

Market Cap: US$568.4m

Elmet Group sits squarely in the reshoring and automation theme that Ford’s AI reset has brought back into focus. It supplies hard to replace materials and high energy microwave systems into programs that depend on reliable hardware more than speculative software savings. Analysts expect strong earnings growth alongside a shift toward higher margin engineered products, supported by U.S. material independence efforts, rising defense and missile replenishment demand, and customer prepayments tied to tight tungsten and molybdenum markets. At the same time, recent net losses, margin compression to 1.9% and a heavy reliance on external debt funding underline that this is not a low risk profile. For investors who think the real leverage in automation sits in critical components rather than hype, Elmet Group’s mix of opportunities and execution questions may warrant closer study.

Elmet Group’s earnings story looks like it is just getting started, with recent losses and margin pressure potentially masking where the real upside sits. Get the 3 key rewards and 4 important warning signs and see what might be hiding in plain sight

ZKH Group (ZKH)

Overview: ZKH Group runs a large MRO platform in China that connects industrial customers with everything from spare parts and chemicals to consumables and office supplies. It also offers AI powered procurement tools, logistics services, and its own intelligent warehousing equipment.

Operations: ZKH Group generates all of its CN¥9.2b revenue from business to business trading and services of industrial products in the People’s Republic of China.

Market Cap: US$364.0m

ZKH Group stands out in the Industrial Automation & Robotics theme because it sells the “picks and shovels” of factory automation, while also embedding AI into procurement and warehousing in a way that still leans on expert human oversight. This approach is very much in line with the lesson from Ford’s AI reset. Revenue of CN¥2,113.82m and a much smaller Q1 2026 loss of CN¥10.1m indicate that the business is scaling while narrowing losses, helped by higher margin private label products and growing digital automation. At the same time, competition from larger players, reliance on key accounts, governance questions, and all liabilities coming from external borrowing highlight that the story involves notable risks, which is one reason some investors may feel they need to look more closely at the company.

ZKH Group’s shrinking CN¥10.1m loss on CN¥2,113.82m revenue suggests the real story lies in how growth aligns with discipline. Review the analyst forecasts for ZKH Group and consider what the current trajectory might be missing.

The three Industrial Automation & Robotics stocks covered here are only a starting point. The full Industrial Automation & Robotics screener surfaces 15 more companies that pair real world factory exposure with equally compelling narratives around robotics, AI, and advanced equipment. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts that matter to you, from capital intensity and balance sheet strength to automation adoption and human in the loop execution, so you can focus on the highest conviction ideas in this theme.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.