From Singapore to the world: How Rockwell Automation's local innovations and digital transformation are being scaled as global best practices

The market for industrial automation and smart manufacturing is tipped to nearly double to US$440 billion (S$564 billion) by 2030¹. Rockwell Automation remains one of the world’s largest companies dedicated to solving the pain points of manufacturers through industrial automation and digital transformation.

Its solutions are part of the invisible infrastructure behind products used by millions of consumers daily. When pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicine, automotive plants assemble vehicles, or food processors package goods, Rockwell's technology can often be found coordinating the complex sequence of operations that make mass production possible.

Founded in 1903, Rockwell Automation – headquartered in Milwaukee in the United States – has manufacturing sites worldwide and employs approximately 26,000 people. The company recorded US$8.3 billion in sales in 2025. Its products and innovative solutions serve manufacturers in more than 100 countries.

Rockwell first established itself in Singapore in 1991, starting with a small regional sales office. Today, Rockwell’s Singapore facility serves as a base for research & development (R&D), manufacturing, and regional sales activities across all three of the company’s business segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services.

From Singapore, it collaborates with regional Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), system integrators, and technology partners, enabling it to respond quickly to customer needs in high-growth sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, data centres, and semiconductors.

Singapore’s position as a regional hub means these solutions can be deployed seamlessly to customers across Southeast Asia, China, and India, helping Rockwell capture demand in some of the world’s fastest-growing manufacturing markets.
 

Designed in Singapore, deployed globally

Tapping into Singapore’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and talent has enabled Rockwell to develop new products and serve new markets globally.

The integrated R&D and manufacturing setup at Rockwell’s Singapore facility has helped the company shorten development cycles and reduce time to market. Instead of designing in one location and troubleshooting in another, engineers here test prototypes directly on production lines, finetune designs, and validate changes in real time.

Singapore-developed innovations have gone on to become some of Rockwell’s fastest-growing product lines, strengthening its global market share in key segments. Best practices from its Singapore facility are now being applied across Rockwell’s global network, setting new benchmarks for productivity and operational excellence.
 

How does Rockwell Automation build global leadership through Singapore’s smart manufacturing hub?

Singapore’s connectivity, deep capabilities, and execution excellence have enabled Rockwell to turn its local operations into a global launchpad for some of the company’s most successful products worldwide.

By leveraging Singapore’s digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem, Rockwell has successfully implemented more than 50 Industry 4.0 applications, spanning AI-powered quality inspection, autonomous mobile robots, and predictive maintenance systems that can identify and prevent costly equipment downtime.

The results speak for themselves. The site has since reduced defects by 35 per cent, shortened time-to-competency for workers by 67 per cent, and increased labour productivity (measured in terms of units per person-hour) by 43 per cent.

These technologies not only improve local operations by tackling persistent industry challenges in productivity, reliability, and operational efficiency, but also serve as proof-of-concept demonstrations for customers considering similar implementations.

Several breakthrough solutions developed in Singapore have achieved global scale, now operating across Rockwell's worldwide network and serving as compelling examples of successful industrial digitalisation for customers.

This operational excellence has earned Rockwell’s Singapore facility a place in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network, which recognises the world’s most advanced manufacturing and supply chain operations. Announced in June 2026, the recognition makes Rockwell’s facility the seventh WEF Lighthouse factory in Singapore – the highest concentration of Lighthouse factories in Southeast Asia.

How is Singapore continuing to support Rockwell’s growth ambitions?

Singapore has prioritised growing a supportive innovation ecosystem with ready partners, protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring a facilitative business environment, with seamless connections to global and regional markets through our extensive network of 29 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

EDB, which works with leading global companies to anchor and expand operations in Singapore, supported Rockwell’s R&D priorities including by facilitating connections with research institutes like the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). EDB also helped Rockwell connect with local educational institutes to hire the right talent across engineering and software development, data analytics, and advanced manufacturing.

As global manufacturing becomes more connected and complex, Rockwell is using its Singapore hub to anticipate and respond to shifting customer needs. Trends such as rising cybersecurity requirements, growing demand for sustainable operations, and the need for real-time production data are shaping its product roadmap.

From Singapore, Rockwell’s R&D teams are embedding cybersecurity features into products at the design stage, ensuring compliance with regulations like the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act before they become mandatory. Similarly, its engineers are experimenting with sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs to help customers reduce costs and stay ahead of tightening environmental regulations.

These priorities have shaped Rockwell’s efforts to build its workforce in Singapore, to ensure they have the right skills. Beyond hiring graduates from universities, it sees strong potential in tapping Singapore’s pipeline of Institute of Technical Education graduates – equipping them with digital and technical skills to take on technician and leadership roles in advanced manufacturing.

Combined with continuous upskilling in areas like data analytics, automation, and AI, Rockwell is building a workforce in Singapore that can not only operate its smart factory but also shape the next generation of industrial automation products.

Singapore supports companies to make manufacturing smarter, greener and more connected. Learn how companies can create value and secure supply chains from Singapore: https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/industries/advanced-manufacturing

Footnote:

¹ Evercore ISI Research