Company Description
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global company focused on industrial automation and digital transformation. According to its public communications, the company describes itself as the world's largest business dedicated to these areas. Rockwell Automation connects industrial operations with digital technologies to help make production more productive and more sustainable.
The company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and its common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ROK. Rockwell Automation traces its roots back to the early 1900s as the successor to Rockwell International, which spun off its avionics segment in 2001. It operates as a pure-play industrial automation company with a portfolio that combines hardware, software and lifecycle services for manufacturing and other industrial environments.
Business segments and offerings
Rockwell Automation reports three primary segments in its business model: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services.
- Intelligent Devices: This segment focuses on devices used on the factory floor. It includes products such as motors, drives, sensors, relays and actuators. These devices are used to measure, control and move materials and equipment in industrial settings.
- Software & Control: This segment provides visualization, simulation and human‑machine interface software, along with control products such as programmable controllers, computers and operator terminals. Rockwell Automation also highlights offerings like FactoryTalk Design Studio and FactoryTalk Design Workbench, which support design and programming workflows for control systems, including Micro800 controllers and micro control systems.
- Lifecycle Services: This segment offers digital consulting, engineered‑to‑order services and outsourced services such as remote monitoring, cybersecurity, and asset and plant maintenance and optimization. The company has introduced offerings such as the SecureOT solution suite, which combines a purpose‑built SecureOT Platform, professional services and managed security services to address cybersecurity needs in operations technology (OT) environments.
Industrial automation and digital transformation focus
Rockwell Automation emphasizes that it is dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation. Its communications describe a focus on connecting the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible. The company states that its goal is to make the world more productive and more sustainable by bringing its Connected Enterprise vision to life across industrial enterprises.
The company notes that it employs tens of thousands of people, described as problem solvers, who support customers in more than 100 countries. This global footprint reflects its participation in a wide range of industrial sectors, including manufacturing, energy, life sciences and other industries that rely on automation, digital systems and secure operations technology.
Technology, AI and cybersecurity
Rockwell Automation’s recent announcements highlight its work at the intersection of industrial operations, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The company has described a collaboration with NVIDIA around the NVIDIA Nemotron Nano small language model, integrated into FactoryTalk Design Studio and other workflows. This integration is intended to bring generative AI capabilities to industrial edge environments, including HMI panels, appliances, desktop development environments and server or private cloud deployments.
Rockwell Automation has also introduced the SecureOT solution suite as an industrial cybersecurity offering designed for operations technology systems. SecureOT combines an OT‑specific platform with professional and managed services, including asset visibility, risk prioritization, vulnerability management, advisory services, assessments, implementation support and 24/7 monitoring and incident response through dedicated OT Security Operations Center and Network Operations Center capabilities. The company notes that SecureOT aligns with frameworks such as NIST CSF, NIS2 and IEC 62443 and is designed to work across diverse vendor ecosystems.
Hardware, software and autonomous mobile robots
In addition to control and software platforms, Rockwell Automation has described a range of industrial hardware and systems. Its Intelligent Devices and Software & Control segments include controllers, I/O systems, networking equipment, drives, industrial PCs, panel PCs and other automation components. Examples mentioned in company communications include ControlLogix controllers, EtherNet/IP in‑cabinet networking solutions, motor starters, distributed drives, I/O systems, industrial Ethernet switches, industrial box PCs and panel PCs, as well as MobileView terminals and edge gateway solutions.
The company has also highlighted autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) under the OTTO by Rockwell Automation brand, which came from its acquisition of Clearpath Robotics. Rockwell Automation reports that AMRs such as the OTTO 600 and OTTO 1200 are assembled at its Milwaukee headquarters and are designed to move heavy materials safely and efficiently across factory floors and in tight spaces. The company notes that these AMRs use laser scanners to build virtual maps of their environment, communicate with each other to coordinate movement and undergo extensive driving tests before shipment.
Manufacturing footprint and investments
Rockwell Automation has announced plans to build a new greenfield manufacturing site in Southeastern Wisconsin as part of a previously announced multi‑year investment in plants, digital infrastructure and talent. The company indicates that this facility has the potential to become its largest manufacturing campus globally, with advanced automation, robotics and digital systems that showcase modern manufacturing and its own technologies.
The company has stated that this manufacturing expansion is intended to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and digital capability, support growth and performance, and enhance resilience. The new site is planned near its global headquarters in Milwaukee, reinforcing its long‑term commitment to American manufacturing and to a skilled industrial workforce.
Recognition and industry presence
Rockwell Automation has reported being recognized across multiple Gartner Hype Cycles for 2025, spanning topics such as process manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, managing operational technology, intralogistics smart robots and drones, life sciences manufacturing, ERP, edge computing, cyber‑physical systems security, industry cloud platforms, digital grid, supply chain execution and other areas. The company views this as acknowledgment of its technology investments and presence across different aspects of industrial and digital transformation.
Through events such as Automation Fair, Rockwell Automation showcases new products and technologies, including hardware, software and services. The company describes Automation Fair as an annual event where it launches new offerings, provides hands‑on labs and expert‑led sessions, and demonstrates how its technologies are used in industrial operations.
Capital structure and governance
Rockwell Automation’s common stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ROK. The company files periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For example, it files annual reports on Form 10‑K, quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q, current reports on Form 8‑K and definitive proxy statements on Schedule 14A.
The company’s proxy materials describe its corporate governance framework, including the role of its Board of Directors, board committees, director elections, advisory votes on executive compensation, selection of independent registered public accounting firms and long‑term incentive plans. Rockwell Automation also discloses information on executive compensation, stock ownership and other governance matters in these filings.
Financial and credit facilities
Rockwell Automation has disclosed a five‑year unsecured revolving credit agreement with a group of banks and an administrative agent. The agreement provides a committed credit facility with options to increase the aggregate commitments and extend the maturity date, subject to specified conditions. The company has stated that borrowings under this agreement may be used for general corporate purposes.
The credit agreement includes customary covenants, representations, warranties and events of default, including limitations on certain secured indebtedness, mergers, consolidations, asset sales and sale‑leaseback transactions, as well as a financial covenant related to the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense. The company notes that the agreement does not restrict its ability to pay dividends.
Dividend policy and shareholder returns
Rockwell Automation’s Board of Directors periodically reviews and declares dividends on the company’s common stock. For example, the company has announced increases to its quarterly dividend per share, citing its financial position and its approach to returning profits to shareowners. In addition to dividends, Rockwell Automation has reported share repurchase activity under its existing share repurchase authorization.
Position in the manufacturing sector
Within the manufacturing sector, Rockwell Automation is classified in the area of other measuring and controlling device manufacturing. Its activities center on providing devices, control systems, software and services that support automation, control and digitalization of industrial processes. The company’s communications emphasize its focus on industrial customers that are investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities, operations technology security and digital transformation across plants and facilities.