Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc., established in 1903 as the Compression Rheostat Launch Company by Dr. Stanton Allen and Lynde Bradley, is a prominent American provider of industrial automation and digital transformation technologies. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company employs approximately 27,000 individuals and serves customers in over 100 countries worldwide.

In its early years, the company renamed Allen-Bradley in 1909 and expanded its product line to include automatic starters, switches, circuit breakers, and relays. During World War I, government contracts spurred growth, leading to increased production of industrial controls and electrical components. The 1920s saw significant contributions to the radio industry, with nearly half of the company's sales attributed to radio components. Despite challenges during the Great Depression, Allen-Bradley focused on research and development, achieving record sales by 1937.

World War II further accelerated growth, with 80% of orders being war-related, including components for military equipment. Post-war, the company continued to innovate, introducing programmable logic controllers in 1981. Rockwell International acquired Allen-Bradley for $1.651 billion in 1985, marking a significant expansion in industrial automation. The 1990s featured the company's software business launch and the development of manufacturing technologies like PowerFlex. In 2001, Rockwell International split into two entities: Rockwell Automation and Rockwell Collins, with the former focusing on industrial automation.

Rockwell Automation's primary segments:

• Intelligent Devices: Offers hardware such as sensors, control products, and motion control solutions.
• Software & Control: Provides software platforms like FactoryTalk and Studio 5000 for industrial automation and analytics.
• LifecycleIQ Services: Delivers services including maintenance, remote support, and cybersecurity.

The company's brands include Allen-Bradley, FactoryTalk software, and LifecycleIQ Services. In recent years, Rockwell Automation has formed partnerships to enhance its offerings, such as the joint venture with Schlumberger in 2019 to create Sensia, an integrated automation solutions provider for the oil and gas industry. The company is also a founding member of the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance, aiming to advance cybersecurity readiness in manufacturing.

As of November 2024, Rockwell Automation's market capitalisation is approximately $31.74 billion, ranking it as the world's 643rd most valuable company by market cap.

Rockwell Automation began as the Compression Rheostat Launch Company in 1903, founded by Dr. Stanton Allen and Lynde Bradley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With an initial investment of $1,000, the company focused on industrial motor controllers.

In 1909, the company was re-incorporated as the Allen-Bradley Company. During World War I, it expanded its product line to include automatic starters, switches, and circuit breakers, driven by government contracts. 

By the 1920s, Allen-Bradley capitalised on the radio industry's growth, producing miniature rheostats, which accounted for nearly half of its sales. The company experienced financial difficulties during the Great Depression but rebounded by 1937 through investments in research and development.

World War II brought increased demand for industrial controls and components for military equipment. By the war's end, 80% of the company’s output was war-related. In the post-war years, Allen-Bradley expanded its facilities and introduced innovative products, such as the solenoid starter in 1934 and hot-moulded fixed resistors in 1935. 

During the 1950s and 1960s, the company grew its manufacturing base and added the iconic Allen-Bradley clock tower in Milwaukee. The 1970s marked Allen-Bradley's foray into programmable logic controllers (PLCs), a revolutionary technology in industrial automation.

In 1985, Rockwell International acquired Allen-Bradley for $1.651 billion, which was the largest acquisition in Wisconsin's history at the time. This merger expanded Rockwell’s industrial automation capabilities. 

In the 1990s, the company introduced PowerFlex drives and launched Rockwell Software to support its automation technology. It also acquired Reliance Electric and Dodge, further diversifying its offerings.

In 2001, Rockwell International split into two entities: Rockwell Automation and Rockwell Collins. Rockwell Automation retained the industrial automation division and its stock price history. The company continued to innovate with its Allen-Bradley and FactoryTalk brands. It launched its PartnerNetwork programme in 2007 and became a leader in smart manufacturing technologies.

In recent years, Rockwell Automation has focused on digital transformation. In 2019, it partnered with Schlumberger to create Sensia, a joint venture providing automation solutions for the oil and gas industry. Collaborations with Accenture's Industry X and Ansys strengthened its capabilities in industrial supply chain optimisation and simulation-based digital twins, respectively. The company has also been active in advancing cybersecurity and digital thread technologies.

As of 2024, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. It is divided into three segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and LifecycleIQ Services. The company’s market capitalisation stands at approximately $31.74 billion. Rockwell Automation continues to lead the industrial automation industry, focusing on innovation, partnerships, and digital transformation to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.

Rockwell Automation’s mission is to help industrial companies achieve their productivity, sustainability, and operational goals through innovative automation and digital solutions. The company aims to integrate control and information across enterprises, enabling customers to streamline processes, improve safety, and optimise efficiency. By combining advanced technologies with industry expertise, Rockwell Automation focuses on delivering tangible business outcomes for its clients. It is committed to maintaining high ethical standards, supporting the workforce, and promoting long-term partnerships. The mission is to empower industries globally with solutions that drive progress and create value for people and the environment.

Rockwell Automation’s vision is to create a more connected, productive, and sustainable world through the power of automation and information. The company envisions a future where digital transformation enables smarter manufacturing processes and innovative solutions to help businesses adapt to ever-changing challenges. By advancing automation technologies, it aims to support industries in meeting global demands for efficiency and sustainability. The vision focuses on empowering people and organisations to achieve their potential while contributing to a safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible industrial landscape. Rockwell Automation aspires to lead in shaping the future of industrial operations worldwide.

It is consistently ranked among the most ethical companies by Ethisphere for its commitment to ethical business practices. The company has also been recognised for innovation, earning accolades for its FactoryTalk and Studio 5000 software platforms. Additionally, it has been acknowledged for sustainability initiatives, being included in Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens list.

Rockwell Automation is a leading provider of industrial automation and digital transformation solutions, offering a comprehensive range of products and services designed to enhance manufacturing efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Their offerings are categorised into three primary segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and LifecycleIQ Services.

1. Intelligent Devices

This segment encompasses hardware solutions that form the foundation of industrial automation systems:

• Programmable Controllers: These devices, including the Allen-Bradley® ControlLogix® and CompactLogix™ series, serve as the central processing units in automation systems, executing control instructions for machinery and processes.
• Drives and Motors: Rockwell Automation provides variable frequency drives (VFDs) under the PowerFlex® brand, which regulate motor speed and torque, enhancing energy efficiency and process control.
• Motion Control: The Kinetix® motion control systems integrate with programmable controllers to deliver precise control over complex motion applications, essential in industries like packaging and robotics.
• Safety Products: A range of safety relays, sensors, and controllers are available to ensure machinery operates within safe parameters, protecting personnel and equipment.
• Sensing Devices: Sensors and switches detect various physical parameters such as position, speed, and temperature, providing critical data for process control and monitoring.
• Industrial Components: This includes a variety of products like relays, timers, and terminal blocks that are fundamental to building and maintaining control systems.

2. Software & Control

This segment offers software solutions that facilitate system design, operation, and optimisation:

• FactoryTalk® Suite: A comprehensive software platform that includes:
• FactoryTalk View: Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software for visualising and interacting with control systems.
• FactoryTalk Historian: Data collection and analysis tools that store historical process data for performance monitoring and improvement.
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre: Asset management software that tracks and manages automation assets, ensuring system integrity and compliance.
• FactoryTalk Analytics: Tools that provide insights into operations through data analysis, aiding in informed decision-making.
• Studio 5000®: An integrated development environment for designing and programming control systems, streamlining the creation of automation projects.
• Emulate3D™: Simulation software that allows for the virtual testing of control systems and processes, reducing commissioning time and costs.

3. LifecycleIQ Services

• This segment focuses on services that support the entire lifecycle of automation systems:
• Consulting and Integration: Expert services to design, implement, and optimise automation solutions tailored to specific industry needs.
• Maintenance and Support: Comprehensive support services, including remote monitoring, troubleshooting, and on-site assistance to ensure system reliability and minimise downtime.
• Training and Education: Programmes designed to equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain automation systems effectively.
• Cybersecurity Services: Solutions aimed at protecting industrial control systems from cyber threats, ensuring the security and integrity of operations.
• Digital Transformation Services: Assistance in adopting digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency, including the implementation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions and data analytics.

Rockwell Automation industry-specific solutions

Rockwell Automation also offers tailored solutions for various industries:

• Automotive and Tyre: Automation solutions that improve production efficiency and quality in vehicle and tyre manufacturing.
• Food and Beverage: Systems that ensure compliance with safety standards and optimise production processes in food and beverage manufacturing.
• Life Sciences: Automation and information solutions that support stringent regulatory requirements and enhance productivity in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
• Oil and Gas: Control and information systems that improve safety, reliability, and efficiency in oil and gas exploration, production, and refining.
• Water and Wastewater: Solutions that optimise the operation of water treatment facilities, ensuring compliance and efficient resource management.