Global Manufacturing Landscape Explored by More Than 11,000 Attendees at Annual Rockwell Automation Event

World's Major Manufacturers Address Manufacturing Convergence, Sustainable Production, Process and Safety Solutions at 2008 Automation Fair

More than 11,000 manufacturing experts from around the world are gathered in Nashville, Tenn. this week to discuss industry demands, global economic challenges and the latest manufacturing automation technology and solutions at the 17th annual Automation Fair, hosted by Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK). Automation Fair is the industry's largest educational forum for major manufacturers. Rockwell Automation business partners, educators and industry analysts will explore important trends, including:

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  Manufacturing convergence -- by which companies meet major market drivers by merging manufacturing and production systems with the rest of the corporate enterprise.
  
  

• Sustainable production and its role in making manufacturing operations cleaner, safer and more energy efficient.
  
  

• Meeting the global demand for increased technical skills and engineering talent.

"Companies need to increase the performance, innovation and sustainability of their enterprises to remain competitive," said Keith Nosbusch, Rockwell Automation chairman and CEO. "Rockwell Automation has committed to hosting the premier industry event for our customers worldwide who need automation solutions that will help them be more competitive."

Yesterday, Nosbusch and executives from world-leading brands and industry organizations spoke to more than 80 reporters during the company's annual Manufacturing Perspectives global media forum.

• Nosbusch and experts from leading companies described the business drivers for manufacturing convergence, how it impacts manufacturing operations and customers, and how cross-organization cultural challenges are being addressed and resolved. "We're in a new era of manufacturing and production," said Nosbusch. "Rockwell Automation investments in new technologies and applications, and our alliances with other technology leaders, help bring together information technology and manufacturing practices for customers to create business efficiencies, agility and competitive advantage."

• Rockwell Automation customers shared how sustainable production supports their key corporate objectives including improving energy conservation and efficiency; assuring environmental responsibility and resource management; and providing increased safety for workers, machinery, processes and products.

• North American and Asian manufacturing and engineering experts offered solutions to the global talent shortage of engineers and technical workers, including manufacturing and engineering talent.

• The founder of India's telecommunications industry explained how India differentiates itself in the global economy by utilizing technology, engineering and technical talent to grow its emerging high-tech manufacturing sector.

Automation Fair continues today and tomorrow with workshops, technical sessions, industry forums, hands-on labs and more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the newest automation solutions and services. The wide variety of offerings on exhibit ranges from reliable products that can optimize machine or process performance to sophisticated software that integrates a plant with other business and enterprise systems.

Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation that include Allen-Bradley controls and services, and Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 21,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

Allen-Bradley, Automation Fair, Listen.Think.Solve. and Rockwell Software are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.