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Monday, November 17, 2008 |
Just to make sure that everyone in attendance at the Rockwell Automation Process Systems Users Group understands that the company is both serious about process and is deep in management, this afternoon's talks kicked off with an introduction of the entire team and then featured many of them in the talks following the keynotes. I couldn't write fast enough to get all the features and technologies that have been added in the past year, but it is many. Process systems growth was 28% organically in FY2008 and about 50% including acquisitions.
6:29:51 PM 
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Kevin Zaba announced just now PlantPAx at the Rockwell Automation process systems users group. The company sees itself at phase 3 of its three phase process growth strategy. It has made many strategic acquisitions and is now integrating them into a cohesive offering. I have two personal briefings coming up this week, so I'm sure I'll have more to say later.
2:49:52 PM
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I'm at the Rockwell Automation Process Systems Users Group meeting in Nashville today. I've not heard any official word, but this looks to be a record attendance of end user/customers. Everyone is filing in for the opening keynotes, and the crowd is energetic, to say the least. Regarding Rockwell and process, many seem to have not read all the way through my post on management changes in the business which was a response to a post by my colleague Walt Boyes over at Control. It surprised both Walt and me that the public face of the business was moved, but I pointed out that Rockwell has made major investments in personnel and systems over the past three years. This is a very important initiative for the company, and it will continue to invest. Today, I have a meeting with the new team that will be charged with making the company a power in the segment. Report later.
Rockwell was a popular hallway topic at Pack Expo last week (but then it's always a popular hallway topic). As we on the outside try to piece together the results of the recent layoffs, information coming to me suggests it was accompanied by a GE-style reshuffling of managers. Many have been moved to areas outside their expertise. This could mean there will be a renewed energy as new people bring in new ideas.
This will be a telling Automation Fair as we judge the results.
1:23:13 PM
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I'm reading a lot about the "Detroit Three" asking for a piece of the US Government bailout pie. This is, of course, a touchy and complicated issue. At risk is the entire automotive industry owned by non-US companies. That means we trade some jobs (at ever lower pay scales) for the loss of profits that go back to other countries. There are no heroes here. I read yesterday that the head of the UAW (main union of autoworkers) said no new concessions. I don't know what he's smoking (as they say). When your industry is not competitive, you can't expect higher wages. Or security. On the other hand, what is Rick Wagoner and the other auto executives smoking. They have all failed miserably. Yet they expect to get "free" money from the government and still keep their jobs, and bonuses, and stock options. GM executives have known (or should have known) for years how to build a competitive company. The example has been written many times. Chrysler's private equity owners turned to failed ex-GE and ex-Home Depot exec Bob Nardelli to save things. His evaluation is to sell the company and get out with his bonuses. Where's the leadership? Where's the vision?
The Democrats are going to have to introduce some legislation as a nod to its supporters. I sense little passion for a big bailout, though. The Republicans seem a little split among the "hard headed" theorists who figure that failed companies should just fail (certainly logical) and the pro-business, pro-big government (yes, Virginia, they exist) wing that would like to see something but we don't know what. The last vote counts imply that Wagoner et. al. should batten down the hatches and figure out how to run a company--or sell out to Toyota and Honda who already know that.
This whole discussion has practical effect on the automation market, since GM has been a major buyer of automation equipment. No wonder the discrete automation suppliers are focusing energy on the packaging OEM market. People are still going to eat and buy packaged goods at Wal-Mart.
My hope is that if the government decides to provide some money that it extracts some resignations in high places.
7:00:33 AM
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© Copyright 2008 Gary Mintchell.
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