VIPA GmbH was founded in 1985 in Erlangen by Mr. Wolfgang Seel as a system house for automation engineering. After production of the first PC-based machine operating panel there were further developments of control and communication modules. The first customers were from the automotive and food industry, conveying engineering and machine and plant construction. VIPA has been increasingly active in the European market since 1995. The introduction of the modular automation system 200V was the basis for creating more powerful, faster and more reliable systems. In the year 2000 the new 2000 sq.m headquarter in Herzogenaurach, west of Erlangen was opened. The development of the SPEED7 High-Speed PLC in 2003 was a further technological milestone in the automation equipment range. In 2005, VIPA has extended the product range with the Touch Panel family.

More than 100 highly qualified employees are working for VIPA in Germany. In addition to that there are 62 VIPA branch offices and service partners in 58 countries.