Rockwell Automation, Inc. (the Company or Rockwell Automation), a Delaware corporation,
is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information
products and services. The Company was incorporated in 1996 and is the successor
to the former Rockwell International Corporation as the result of a tax-free reorganization
completed on December'6, 1996, pursuant to which the Company divested its former
aerospace and defense businesses (the A&D Business) to The Boeing Company
(Boeing). The predecessor corporation was incorporated in 1928.
On September'30, 1997, the Company completed the spinoff of its automotive
component systems business into an independent, separately traded, publicly
held company named Meritor Automotive, Inc. (Meritor). On July'7, 2000, Meritor
and Arvin Industries, Inc. merged to form ArvinMeritor, Inc. (ArvinMeritor).
On December'31, 1998, the Company completed the spinoff of its semiconductor
systems business (Semiconductor Systems) into an independent, separately traded,
publicly held company named Conexant Systems, Inc. (Conexant). On June'29, 2001,
the Company completed the spinoff of its Rockwell Collins avionics and communications
business into an independent, separately traded, publicly held company named
Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins).
The Company's principal markets outside the United States are in Canada, the
United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, China, Mexico, and Korea.
Control Systems is a supplier of industrial automation products, systems, software
and services focused on helping customers control and improve manufacturing
processes and is divided into three units: the Components and Packaged Applications
Group (CPAG), the Automation Control and Information Group (ACIG)'and Global
Manufacturing Solutions (GMS).
Power Systems is divided into two units: the Mechanical Power Transmission
Business (Mechanical) and the Industrial Motor and Drive Business (Electrical).
Control Systems' products are marketed primarily under the Allen-Bradley, Rockwell
Automation and Rockwell Software brand names. Major markets served include consumer
products, transportation, petrochemical and mining, metals and forest products.
In North America, Control Systems' products are sold primarily through independent
distributors that generally do not carry products that compete with Allen-Bradley
products. Large systems and service offerings are sold principally through a
direct sales force, though opportunities are sometimes sourced through distributors.
Product sales outside the United States occur through a combination of direct
sales forces and distributors.
Mechanical's products are sold primarily through distributors while Electrical's
products are sold primarily through a direct sales force.
FirstPoint Contact sells through a direct sales force and increasingly through
distribution channels.'Major markets served include telecommunications, financial,
transportation and retail.
Control Systems has competitors which, depending on the product or service
involved, range from large diversified businesses that sell products outside
of automation, to smaller companies specializing in niche products and services.
Major competitors include ABB, Ltd., Emerson Electric Co., General Electric
Company, Schneider Electric SA and Siemens AG. Factors that affect Control Systems'
competitive posture are its broad product portfolio and scope of solutions,
technology leadership, knowledge of customer applications, large installed base,
established distribution network, quality of products and services and global
presence.
Power Systems has competitors which, depending on the product involved, range
from large diversified businesses that sell products outside of automation,
to smaller companies specializing in niche products and services. Major competitors
include ABB Ltd., A.'O.'Smith Corporation, Baldor Electric Company, Emerson
Electric Co., General Electric Company, Regal-Beloit Corporation, Rexnord Corporation
and Siemens AG. Factors that affect Power Systems' competitive posture are product
quality, installed base and its established distributor network. However, Power
Systems' competitive posture is limited somewhat by its relatively small international
presence.
FirstPoint Contact faces competition from other companies selling both hardware
and software in the customer contact market ranging from major multinationals
to small companies specializing in niche products and services. Major competitors
include Apropos Technology, Inc., Aspect Communications Corporation, Avaya,
Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc. and Nortel Networks Corporation. Factors that affect
FirstPoint Contact's competitive position include product quality and reliability,
and reputation. However, FirstPoint Contact's competitive position is somewhat
inhibited by its limited available resources to devote to research and development
activities relative to certain competitors.