Our Company
Since 1999, AutoDrill has existed to serve and develop our customers and team members, helping them thrive and achieve their personal visions.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to help manufacturers operate more efficiently by delivering high-quality drilling and tapping solutions. Together with our global distribution partners, we are committed to providing exceptional customer service and support. We take pride in the products we build and the value they deliver.
Our vision is to be a trusted global provider of dependable drilling and tapping solutions. We strive to lead the industry through continuous improvement, innovation, and unmatched customer service. Our goal is to build equipment that lasts, relationships that matter, and a workplace where our team can thrive as we help manufacturers operate more efficiently and successfully.
Founder Highlight
AutoDrill was founded by Joe Agro, Sr. on July 12, 1999, in the humble setting of his home garage in Warren, New Jersey.
At the age of 54 and with experience in the industry, Joe set out to build something of his own. Joe was a visionary, a lifelong learner and a natural teacher. He believed in doing things the right way, with excellence, honesty, and care. His philosophy was simple but powerful: offer exceptional service, dependable quality, and lasting value. These guiding principles laid the foundation for AutoDrill and remain central to who we are today.
In 2015, Joe stepped away from day-to-day operations as he began his battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He passed away in November 2021, leaving behind not only a thriving company but a legacy of innovation, character, and unwavering determination.
His son, Joe Agro, Jr., who began working alongside his father in 2003, now leads AutoDrill with the same passion and dedication. The company has expanded its reach across all 50 U.S. states and over 35 countries worldwide.
Today, as we continue to grow and evolve, we carry forward the legacy of Joe Agro, Sr., the man who turned a garage workshop into a global brand. His vision lives on in every tool we build, every customer we serve, and every challenge we meet with confidence.
Our Team
Get to know the talented individuals behind our multi-generation, family-owned and operated business. We strive to hire and retain the very best staff to support you and your projects from the very first time you contact us and well into the years ahead.
Our History
See an overview of AutoDrill's history over the years.
Late 1990s
The AutoDrill design is created
The first prototypes were extremely successful. This would lead to the development of the AutoDrill 1000 + AutoDrill 2000 self-feed drills.
July 12, 1999
AutoDrill is founded
Joe Agro, Sr. founded AutoDrill in his home garage. Having already acquired decades of experience in the machinery field and leading other companies to success, AutoDrill stands as the leading expert in the industry.
1999
The 2000 and 2100 series launches
These light and compact drills go on to be AutoDrills highest-selling products. Capable of performing small to medium size hole processes, they are relatively light, compact, and yet powerful enough for some of the most demanding applications. These models can be found in industries ranging from food service to aerospace and military applications to the medical field.
The 1000 and 1100 series launches
These units are provided when a customer has a space constraint within their process. Designed to be extremely compact and lightweight, the 1000 and 1100 series units fit where no other drill on the market can. They often outperform units that are much larger. This unit is a favorite of engineers in the medical and small appliance field, especially when working in aluminum, plastic, and fiberglass-filled products.
2000
Launch of the 2000 Series AutoTap Unit
The 2000 series AutoTap unit was the first product offered by AutoDrill as a self-feeding tap machine. It can tap reliably in a wide range of materials and sizes. With a range from ⅓ HP to 2HP and 100 RPM to 2000 RPM, the unit is extremely versatile.
2200 Series AutoDrill become available
The 2200 Series AutoDrill was designed as a quill feed unit with a simple pull-style feed control. What this means in the customer’s shop is that a stop does not need to be placed on the fixture for the feed control. It is fully integrated into the AutoDrill design. This is a tremendous advantage when you have a multiple spindle head in the way or cannot place a stop conveniently in your AutoDrill set-up.
Development of pneumatic controls division
AutoDrill began offering relatively simple pneumatic controls with its units so that customers, machine builders, and dealers could have a one-stop source for their machines with simple controls. Whether it be a simple stroke control, or a control integrated with a Programmable Logic Computer (PLC), clamps, sequencing of multiple units, etc. AutoDrill can often help.
2001
Development of electrical panel controls division
To keep up with the continued growth in cutting-edge technology, AutoDrill began offering electrical panels to its customers. This allows an application to be completely controlled by a computer or PLC and increases efficiency in production, quality, and control. We have since outsourced this service to professionals we trust and have a history with to better serve you.
2002
First integration with key machine builder
AutoDrill and a key machine builder in the USA started working together to offer higher-end set-ups and “turn-key” products for customers. Because AutoDrill wanted to focus on what it did best, it had always stayed away from building full fixture stands with clamps, linear feeders, bowl feeders, complex safety systems, etc. With this new business arrangement, customers now had a source for even the most complex fixtures, fully automated lines, etc. To this day, AutoDrill works closely with the engineers and designers there as well as several other strategic partners.
2003
Joe Agro, Jr. as new business partner
Joe Agro, Sr. brings in a second generation! His son, Joe Agro, Jr. enters the business as a partner. Joe Jr’s instinct for efficiency, innovation, and quality becomes one of the leading factors that continue to drive AutoDrill’s growth and success.
2005
Facility expansion
AutoDrill expands its facility and relocates to Millington, NJ.
2006
5k Series AutoDrill launched
Launch of the 5000, 5100, 5200, 5000 AutoTap and 5000 Annular Cutter. After years of design and testing, these self-feeders are one of our most successful product lines. With its dual integrated guide rod set-up, high thrust numbers, and high horsepower capability, all of the units in this series are serious workhorses! The 5000 series units rise above all others in their class.
2007
Integration with multiple key OEM’s
These OEMs offer everything from material pushers and cutters to burning tables, CNC set-ups, etc. Because the AutoDrill product fits so well, these OEMs typically come to us first when they need any drilling, reaming, tapping, or other hole processing machinery.
2010
Product Improvements
Control Feed Tapper Improvement: An improvement to the 2000 series Auto-Tap and 5000 series Auto-Tap design, this is our new standard. This technology allows customers to tap very small holes or tap in very soft materials without worrying about the thrust of the machine damaging the fragile threads. By providing fully adjustable feed control in both directions, the machine can be used to tap a multitude of hole sizes and thread pitches with nothing more than a simple adjustment between part runs. Many competitors force you to partially disassemble their cumbersome lead screw-based units. This improvement also allows AutoDrill to incorporate its Skip Feed option for faster cycle times and thus greater cost savings. Finally, this upgrade to the design allows AutoDrill to fully integrate its multiple spindle head tapping technology on the 2000 and 5000 series units. The Control Feed Tapper by AutoDrill is so efficient in its feed rate that it even extends tooling life over a standard pneumatic stroke drill tap set-up.
2015
Facility expansion
AutoDrill expands its facility again and relocated to Lebanon, NJ
Joe Agro, Sr. retires
Joe Agro, Sr. retires from AutoDrill: After more than 15 years of highly successful activity, Joe Sr. decided it was best to enjoy life a little more!
Joe Agro, Jr. takes over all operations at AutoDrill
2020
AutoDrill expands its capabilities
AutoDrill expands its capabilities: With the addition of extreme duty, high thrust and high torque units, AutoDrill began offering drilling units capable of up to 1.500” (38mm) holes in steel with standard tooling. Their tapping line can now thread holes up to 2.375” (60mm) in steel. Even larger custom solutions are offered for those who go beyond these sizes. This additional line of products allows AutoDrill to drive multi-drill spindles in greater quantity than ever before off of a single machine.
2022
Facility expansion
AutoDrill expands and is currently located in Flemington, NJ.