Control Global

Control Global
Name	Control Global
Type	Trade publication
Founded	1990s
Headquarters	Houston, Texas
Language	English
Website	(omitted)

Control Global Control Global is an industry publication covering process automation, instrumentation, and industrial control systems. It reports on technologies, standards, and markets affecting sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage. The publication connects practitioners at companies, system integrators, and suppliers with developments in controllers, sensors, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

History

Control Global originated in the 1990s as a niche periodical aimed at readers working with programmable logic controllers and distributed control systems in regions including North America and Europe. Early coverage intersected with events such as the rise of Siemens AG automation platforms, the commercial expansion of Emerson Electric Co. solutions, and the market consolidation exemplified by mergers like Honeywell International Inc. acquisitions. Over time the outlet tracked standards evolution influenced by organizations such as International Electrotechnical Commission, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Control System Integrators Association. Major reporting milestones included coverage of deployments following incidents that prompted regulatory reviews by agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the European Union safety directives.

Mission and Activities

The publication’s stated mission emphasizes informing engineers, operations managers, and executive leaders about instrument calibration, process control strategies, and operational excellence. It focuses on technology roadmaps related to companies such as Rockwell Automation, ABB Group, and Schneider Electric. Activities include industry analysis, technical case studies from firms like BASF SE, ExxonMobil, and Shell plc, and event reporting from conferences such as Distributed Control System user gatherings, International Society of Automation meetings, and trade shows like Hannover Messe. The outlet also highlights regulatory developments influenced by bodies such as Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration when relevant to process industries.

Publications and Media

Control Global produces editorial features, technical articles, white papers, and newsletters tailored for subscribers in sectors like petrochemical processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It reviews products from vendors including Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Endress+Hauser, and National Instruments, and publishes case studies involving system implementations by integrators such as AVEVA partners. Media formats span print editions, digital magazines, webinars with presenters from Texas A&M University research groups, and podcasts interviewing executives from Johnson Controls International and chief engineers at plants operated by BP plc. Coverage frequently references standards and certification programs administered by Underwriters Laboratories and American National Standards Institute.

Industry Impact and Partnerships

The publication serves as a conduit between suppliers, end users, and standards organizations, influencing procurement decisions at companies like Chevron Corporation and Dow Chemical Company. Partnerships have included sponsorships and editorial collaborations with event organizers such as ARC Advisory Group, Control System Integrators Association, and trade show producers behind SPS - Smart Production Solutions. It has highlighted technology deployments tied to initiatives like Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, and OPC Foundation interoperability efforts, and showcased collaborations between universities—such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley—and industrial labs.

Governance and Funding

Governance historically mirrors that of trade publications operated by larger media groups, with editorial leadership interacting with commercial teams managing advertising from major suppliers such as Emerson, Rockwell Automation, and Schneider Electric. Funding sources typically include display advertising, sponsored content, event sponsorships, and paid research reports purchased by corporations including Siemens divisions and automation distributors like RS Components. Editorial boards have at times consulted independent experts from institutions such as Georgia Institute of Technology and industry consortia including MESA International for technical accuracy and guidance on special reports.

Controversies and Criticism

Critics have raised concerns common to trade media about the proximity between editorial content and commercial advertisers, particularly when sponsored supplements feature vendors like ABB or Yokogawa. Debates have emerged over editorial independence during product comparison articles referencing platforms from Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens AG, and about the balance of coverage between legacy distributed control systems and newer cloud computing-based control paradigms promoted by technology vendors. Additionally, scrutiny has occurred around how the outlet reports on cybersecurity incidents affecting industrial control systems, with commentators from organizations such as SANS Institute and CERT calling for more rigorous disclosure standards.

Category:Trade magazines Category:Industrial automation