Rockwell Automation eyes next industrial wave

In China, Rockwell Automation will focus on artificial intelligence, sustainable production and services for Chinese companies expanding overseas as the US automation group seeks to tap opportunities arising from the country's industrial upgrading, a senior executive said.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-headquartered company will work closely with Chinese manufacturers and technology partners in industrial automation, digital manufacturing and resource-efficient production.

Speaking at the company's booth during the ninth edition of the China International Import Expo, Ian Shih, president of Rockwell Automation (China) Ltd, said Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking advanced technologies to improve productivity and manage complex operations.

"Our priorities will remain industrial AI, global operations and sustainability, connecting global resources with local needs and supporting the replication of best practices across industries and regions," he said.

The company's strategy also aligns with China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which emphasizes green and low-carbon development, industrial upgrading and the growth of emerging industries.

Shih said Rockwell Automation sees opportunities in China's intelligent equipment, new energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and industrial digitalization sectors, driven by growing demand for smarter and more flexible production systems.

"We will further integrate AI with information technology and operational technology to connect production data, business processes and decision-making, improve efficiency and coordinate operations across factories," he added.

For example, the company has helped a major Chinese new energy producer connect data from its domestic and overseas manufacturing sites through an industrial internet of things platform, enabling more coordinated production management.

Beyond domestic manufacturing, Rockwell Automation also supports Chinese companies operating overseas, from project planning and facility construction to ongoing operations.

Shih said the company aims to combine its global resources with local expertise to help Chinese manufacturers manage overseas operations and adapt production systems to different markets.

Green manufacturing is another area of focus. Over the past three years, Rockwell Automation has identified more than 500 industrial sustainability cases through its Climate Lighthouse initiative, including around 100 exemplary projects spanning a broad range of industrial subsectors.

Participating in the CIIE for the sixth consecutive year, the company is showcasing new industrial automation controllers alongside applications in intelligent production and sustainable manufacturing.

Fu Li, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said China's push to modernize its manufacturing sector and accelerate the adoption of industrial AI is creating new opportunities for multinational technology companies, particularly in industrial automation, digital manufacturing and energy efficiency.

Fu said demand for advanced manufacturing solutions will increasingly come from Chinese companies seeking to improve productivity, reduce operating costs and compete more effectively in international markets.

China's high-tech industries have also seen an increase in foreign investment. Foreign direct investment in these industries surged 33.8 percent year-on-year to 228.53 billion yuan ($34.23 billion) between January and September of this year, accounting for 41.6 percent of the national total, up 11.9 percentage points from the same period last year, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.

FDI in China from Canada, France, Switzerland and the United States rose 90.5 percent, 31.8 percent, 26 percent and 7.7 percent on a yearly basis, respectively, during the same period.

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn