Great Products Build Great Businesses

Since 1944, we have been helping our customers minimize production interruptions and maximize efficiency with the same care and expertise as if it were our own business.

Producing high-quality products and services is challenging and we know how hard it can be to find someone else who wants your business to succeed as much as you do. With industry-respected brands, $8 million of ready-to-ship components and assemblies and 24/7 support, we have the products to keep your business moving forward.

View JHF Product Line

Find Your Sales Representative


The John Henry Foster Company is a full-line fluid power distributor with territories covering parts of Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky and is the Midwest leader in fluid power sales. We have sales representatives stationed throughout our territory who can visit your site and provide hands-on attention to better meet your fluids power needs.

Machine Vision & Process Control

John Henry Foster, St. Louis carries a wide variety of machine vision and process control devices including sensors, readers, timers, counters, and more. Monitor and maintain process control equipment for improved production, product consistency and quality management, and workplace safety in manufacturing and processing facilities with trusted brands and unmatched expertise from John Henry Foster.

Why JHF Machine Vision & Process Control

  • Increase Customer Efficiency and Productivity
  • Improved Quality of Output through Automation of Processes
  • Reduce Waste and Scrap
  • Increase Process Up-Time
  • Increased Productivity
  • Collaborative Sales & Engineering Expertise
  • Trusted Brands

Machine Vision Systems

Machine vision software and systems allow you to customize application performance to your specific needs. Our experts will help you choose and implement well-designed vision systems, machine process control and feedback products and solutions to automation any operation.

  • Accessories (IA-MVS)
  • Cameras
  • Smart Cameras
  • Software
  • Vision Processors
  • Vision Sensors

Counters, Timers & Temperature Controllers

John Henry Foster, St. Louis carries a wide variety of process control devices, including: sensors, readers, timers, counters, and more. Monitor and maintain process control equipment for improved production, product consistency and quality management, and workplace safety in manufacturing and processing facilities with trusted brands and unmatched expertise from John Henry Foster.

  • Counters
  • Temperature Controllers
  • Timers

Barcode Readers

Choosing the right barcode reader for your process is important. With the largest selection of laser bar code scanners, image-based ID readers and connectivity devices, John Henry Foster has you covered.

  • Connectivity
  • Image-based ID Readers
  • Laser Barcode Scanners

Industrial Sensors

John Henry Foster, St. Louis carries the widest selection of optical rotary encoders,inductive proximity sensors, magnetic proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, laser sensors, fiber optic sensors, and more. When your process automation relies on critical data, let the automation experts at JHF help.

  • Area Sensors
  • Fiber Optic Sensors
  • Inductive Sensors
  • Laser Measurement Sensors
  • Laser Sensors
  • Micro Photoelectric Sensors
  • Photoelectric Sensors
  • Pressure/Flow Sensors
  • Rotary Encoders
  • Safety Sensors, Components, Light Curtains
  • Sensor Options
  • Special Purpose Sensors
  • Ultrasonic Sensors
  • Wire-Saving Systems

Tension Control

Precise tension control is critical for production processes that require constant tension of material such as converting lines, winding/unwinding, cutting, coating and printing. John Henry Foster has the products and custom-engineered solutions for any tension control application.

  • Aluminum Rollers
  • Custom Engineered Application Solutions
  • Pneumatic Tension Brakes
  • Tension Amplifiers
  • Tension Controls
  • Tension Transducers
  • Zero Set and Calibration Set

Industries & Applications We Serve

  • Material Handling & Transport
  • Process & Quality Control
  • Vision-Guided Robotics
  • Electronics & Semiconductors
  • PLC, Data Acquisition Control Systems
  • Pick & Place
  • Inspection
  • Production Monitoring
  • Quality Control
  • Text and Barcode Reading/Identification
  • Monitoring Images
  • Continuous Material
  • Automotive
  • Paper and Pulp
  • Custom Integrated-PLC-Based, Control and Data Acquisition Systems
  • Appliance
  • Lumber and Wood Processing
  • Compliance with Your Specifications
  • Food and Beverage
  • Plant Automation
  • Custom Designed Machine Vision Systems
  • Animal Feed Processing  
  • Materials Recycling
  • Project Management
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Materials Handling
  • Creative Engineered Solutions
  • Automated Welding
  • Discrete Part Assembly
  • Custom Software Development
  • Blending Rubber and Plastics
  • Stone Glass
  • Custom System Diagnostics
  • Customized Testing

Contact The Controls Engineering Group