WI-ROCKWELL-AUTOMATION
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the results of the 9th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report.” The global study surveyed more than 1,500 manufacturers across 17 of the leading manufacturing countries.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240326554889/en/
Rockwell Automation's 9th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report (Graphic: Business Wire)
This year’s report reveals a focus on harnessing new and emerging technologies to build resiliency, improve quality, maximize workforce potential, and drive sustainable growth.
“A skilled workforce is the cornerstone of any successful manufacturing operation, but attracting, managing and retaining workers is proving to be an ongoing challenge,” said Cyril Perducat, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Rockwell Automation. “The survey found technology alone is not the answer. To remain competitive, manufacturers need to focus their staff on embracing new technology as a core part of their evolving organizational culture, creating a technology/worker partnership that drives their business forward.”
Key global findings include:
- AI ranks as the top capability that manufacturers believe will drive the biggest business outcomes. 83% of manufacturers expect to use generative AI (GenAI) in their operations in 2024.
- 95% of manufacturers are using or evaluating smart manufacturing technology – up from 84% in 2023.
- 94% of manufacturers plan to maintain or grow their workforce due to smart manufacturing technology adoption, with a heavy focus on repurposing workers to new or different roles and/or hiring more workers.
- Change management is the leading workforce-related obstacle for manufacturers in 2024.
- Manufacturers cite “improved quality” as the top positive outcome they hope to achieve from existing smart manufacturing technology for a second consecutive year. Additionally, “quality control” ranks as the #1 AI/Machine Learning use case in 2024.
- For the first time, cybersecurity is listed as one of the top five external risks for manufacturers in 2024, ranking third overall.
- Energy management is the factor that matters most to manufacturers’ sustainability/ESG programs.
“The workforce of 2019 is not coming back,” said Allison Kuhn, principal analyst, LNS Research. “Developing a sustainable workforce strategy is critical to successfully navigate daunting manufacturing challenges. Leaders are winning the war for talent by embracing this new reality and with a laser focus on three imperatives: 1) Total Employee Experience, 2) Servant Leadership, and 3) Connected Frontline Workforce (CFW) Applications.”
Manufacturers continue to face a significant challenge: combining people, processes, and technology to drive long-term business growth and resilience. According to the report, around one-third of manufacturing leaders cite “matching technology and talent to business need” and “effectively managing people and resources” as the biggest obstacles their organizations face over the next year. Manufacturers can overcome this challenge by selecting a partner with relevant industry expertise and experience who can provide tailored solutions and support in aligning technology and talent with business objectives.
“At Rockwell, the combination of our deep industry expertise with our exceptional PartnerNetwork™ puts us in the best position to advise and guide leading global manufacturers. Being the largest company dedicated solely to industrial automation and digital transformation, we strive to help companies realize the promise and value of their digital transformation, no matter where they are in their journey,” said Perducat.
The full findings of the report can be found here.
Methodology
This report analyzed feedback from 1,567 respondents from 17 of the top manufacturing countries with roles from management up to the C-suite and was conducted in association with Rockwell Automation and Sapio Research. The survey pulled from a range of industries including Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Semiconductor, Energy, Life Sciences, and more. With a balanced distribution of company sizes with revenues spanning $100 million to over $30 billion, it offers a wide breadth of manufacturing business perspectives.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
About the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™
Rockwell Automation believes we're better together—and we do our part by delivering an expansive, global partner ecosystem of market-leading technology, superior support and services, and an integrated and streamlined approach to business. Succeed on an international scale by utilizing our network's breadth of innovative technologies and services that no single vendor can provide alone. To learn more about how the PartnerNetwork is helping to deliver the value of The Connected Enterprise, visit PartnerNetwork Program.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240326554889/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Access Advance Announces Major Growth in Its HEVC and VVC Patent Pools24.11.2025 16:10:00 CET | Press release
Access Advance LLC today announced significant expansions of both its HEVC Advance and VVC Advance Patent Pools during the second and third quarters of 2025, underscoring continued industry confidence in the company's balanced and transparent approach to video codec licensing. This growth follows the successful January 2025 launch of Access Advance's Video Distribution Patent ("VDP") Pool, demonstrating the company's expanding role in comprehensive video codec patent licensing solutions. Among the many highlights, Sharp Corporation joined the HEVC Advance Patent Pool as a Licensor, bringing valuable intellectual property assets to the pool's already extensive patent portfolio. Additionally, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., already an HEVC Advance Licensor and Licensee, expanded its collaboration with Access Advance by joining the VVC Advance Patent Pool as a Licensee. HP Inc. also expanded its license to include the VVC Advance Patent Pool after previously joining HEVC Advance in 2024, w
Microsize and Schedio Group to Acquire Lonza’s Micro-Macinazione Site in Switzerland24.11.2025 15:05:00 CET | Press release
Microsize, a leading CDMO specializing in particle size reduction and control technologies, today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Micro-Macinazione (Mic Mac), a dedicated micronization facility in Monteggio, Switzerland, from Lonza. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251124545344/en/ The agreement represents Microsize’s second acquisition from Lonza, following the successful 2022 divestment of its Quakertown, Pennsylvania site. In this transaction, Schedio Group – a Swiss-based provider of jet mills, isolators, spray dryers, and engineering services – is investing alongside Microsize to strengthen and localize its operational base in Europe, advancing a shared vision to lead the next generation of integrated particle engineering solutions. With more than 30 years of experience, Mic Mac has served the pharmaceutical industry with proven GMP-compliant jet milling and micronization capabilities for b
Hytera to Debut S1 E at PMRExpo 202524.11.2025 14:17:00 CET | Press release
Hytera, a leading global provider of critical communications technologies and solutions, today introduced the S1 E, a business-ready, palm-sized two-way radio designed specifically for the retail sector, expanding the portfolio of S Series and providing one more option for retail users to choose for their daily operations. The S1 E will make its debut at PMRExpo, the Europe's premier trade fair for secure, mission- and business-critical communication, taking place from November 25th to 27th, 2025, at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251124768341/en/ Hytera New Released Licence-free Analogue Business Radio S1 E Adhering to the S Series’ signature design language, the S1 E combines a stylish, modern, and minimalist aesthetic with practical functionality. Weighing under 85g, the S1 E provides all-day wearing comfort without tugging or weighing down uniforms. Key enhancements and sta
Merck Takes Patient-Directed Approach to Bring Innovation to the Treatment of Rare Neuromuscular Disorder, Generalized Myasthenia Gravis24.11.2025 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Cladribine capsules have the potential to be the first oral treatment for people living with rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, generalized Myasthenia GravisCladribine capsules has received Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug Designation by the US FDAMerck has established an MG patient council to provide insights on how to best meet the needs of patients in the gMG rare disease community Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for cladribine capsules for the treatment of the rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). In June 2023, the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for cladribine capsules for the treatment of gMG. In addition, the Company is actively collaborating with patient organizations and Ad Scientiam, a medical technology company, to support a patient-directed approach to the future management of gMG. If approved
BENEFIT and Ant International Partner to Launch Alipay+ in Bahrain to Achieve Global E-Wallet Connectivity24.11.2025 13:04:00 CET | Press release
Partnership will integrate Alipay+ with BENEFIT, Bahrain’s national QR payment scheme, to enable all Bahraini merchants to accept cross-border digital payments from leading digital wallets and explore outbound payment capabilities. Both parties will explore developing next-generation digital payment framework to support Bahrain’s digital transformation journey. BENEFIT, the Bahraini innovator and a leading company in fintech and electronic financial transactions service, and Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider, headquartered in Singapore, have partnered to launch cross-border QR payments between Bahrain’s BENEFIT QR payment scheme and Ant International’s global wallet gateway, Alipay+, during 2026 to support the transition toward a more inclusive digital payments ecosystem. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251124405672/en/ (L-R): Hessa Husain, Depu
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom