Rockwell Automation Acquires Central European Engineering and Systems Integration Services Company

    MILWAUKEE--Oct. 1, 2002--

    Purchase of SPEL, spol. s.r.o. assets aligns Rockwell Automation Global Manufacturing Solutions growth in key industries and markets

    Rockwell Automation today announced the expansion of its Global Manufacturing Solutions business into Central Europe with the acquisition of the engineering services and system integration assets of SPEL, spol. s.r.o. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
    The new entity will be called Rockwell Automation Services s.r.o. and will be located in the existing SPEL headquarters in Kolin, Czech Republic, near Prague.
    "Rockwell Automation and SPEL have been working together since the 1980s and we knew they had a well-established infrastructure throughout Central Europe," said Ron Wichter, senior vice president, Global Manufacturing Solutions, Rockwell Automation. "During that time, we were also working toward the establishment of Rockwell Automation as a complete solution provider in Central Europe. This acquisition will help us more quickly reach that goal and it also strategically locates Rockwell Automation in a region in which we see future growth opportunities."
    Rockwell Automation Services s.r.o. will design, build and deliver automation systems for clients in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. The company employs 60 people, all of whom will continue to work at the Kolin facility.
    "With the emerging market position of Rockwell Automation in Central Europe, Rockwell Automation Services s.r.o. can create an opportunity for growth by offering a wider variety of engineering services and more responsive regional customer support to global customers," said Rockwell Automation Services s.r.o. Managing Director Jiri Svoboda, Sr.

    Rockwell Automation, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help customers meet their manufacturing productivity objectives. The company brings together leading brands in industrial automation for Complete Automation solutions, including Allen-Bradley(R) controls and services, Dodge(R) mechanical power transmission products, Reliance Electric(TM) motors and drives, and Rockwell Software(R) factory management software. The company also is a leading provider of contact management technologies and applications that help companies more efficiently manage interaction with their own customers. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, the company employs about 23,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.