Automation history

By 1983, however, the Reagan administration had reactivated the B-1 project as part of its ambitious military program.

That venture was indefinitely postponed by the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986.

Robert Dodge began his career at Automation in 1988, fresh out of American International College.

Allen-Bradley’s acquisition of Creonics in 1990.

Allen-Bradley’s acquisition and partnership with Metal Leve Controles Eletronicos in 1992 The company specialized in electromechanical industrial control products. (4)

Rockwell’s acquisition of Reliance Electric for 1.6 billion dollars in 1994.

The addition of Reliance made industrial automation Rockwell's largest business, accounting for 28 percent of overall revenues in fiscal 1995.

In 1996 Rockwell sold off its graphic systems business to Stonington Partners Inc. for $600 million.

Rockwell also buys ICOM and Controlware around this time. (5,6,7) Rockwell International acquisition of California’s Intecolor Corp in 1997.

Consequently, for the fiscal year ending in September 1998, Rockwell posted a net loss of $437 million on sales of $6.75 billion.

Rockwell’s acquisitions of Dynapro and EJA Engineering in 1999.

2001 – Company is officially renamed Rockwell Automation

2003 – The Allen‑Bradley brand celebrates its 100th anniversary

Rockwell divested itself of Reliance Electric, selling the power systems business to Baldor Electric in 2006 for $1.75 billion in cash and $50 million in stock. (5)

On January 31, 2007, Rockwell Automation sold off their PowerSystems Division which consists of Dodge mechanical and Reliance Electric motors with headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, to Baldor Electric Company.