It is known that the PID controller is ill-suited to handle time-delay processes, especially in applications with stringent control objectives to be met. For such purposes, deadtime compensators may be used. But such controllers still face resistance towards actual industrial applications due to their difficulties in implementation and realisation. In this paper, a PID solution involving setpoint weighting is proposed to achieve good setpoint tracking and load regulatory performance. Simulation and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.