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Rockwell Automation

rok · NYSE Industrials
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Ticker rok
Exchange NYSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Industrial - Machinery
Employees 10,000+
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FY2017 Annual Report · Rockwell Automation
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2017

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KRockwell Automation, Inc.1201 South Second Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, USAUNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF 
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017

Commission file number 1-12383

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

1201 South 2nd Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(Address of principal executive offices)

25-1797617
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification No.)

53204
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 
+1 (414) 382-2000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Common Stock, $1 Par Value

Name of each exchange on which registered

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject 
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data 
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that 
the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 

contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K 
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting 

company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging 
growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer
Non-accelerated Filer


  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company





If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 

with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes    No  

The aggregate market value of registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of registrant on March 31, 2017 was approximately $19.9 billion.

128,502,915 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding on October 31, 2017.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information contained in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of registrant to be held on February 6, 2018 is 

incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Business

Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Company

Properties
Legal Proceedings

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Company’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data

Item 6.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule

SIGNATURES

2  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

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PART I 
FORWARD-LOOKING 
STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains statements (including certain 
projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking 
statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe”, “estimate”, “project”, 
“plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar 
expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Actual 
results may differ materially from those projected as a result of 
certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our 
control, including but not limited to:

•  macroeconomic factors, including global and regional 
business conditions, the availability and cost of capital, 
commodity prices, the cyclical nature of our customers’ 
capital spending, sovereign debt concerns and currency 
exchange rates;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

laws, regulations and governmental policies affecting our 
activities in the countries where we do business;

the successful development of advanced technologies 
and demand for and market acceptance of new and 
existing products;

the availability, effectiveness and security of our information 
technology systems;

competitive products, solutions and services and pricing 
pressures, and our ability to provide high quality products, 
solutions and services;

a disruption of our business due to natural disasters, 
pandemics, acts of war, strikes, terrorism, social unrest or 
other causes;

•  our ability to manage and mitigate the risk related to 
security vulnerabilities and breaches of our products, 
solutions and services;

• 

• 

intellectual property infringement claims by others and the 
ability to protect our intellectual property;

the uncertainty of claims by taxing authorities in the 
various jurisdictions where we do business;

•  our ability to attract, develop, and retain 

qualified personnel;

•  our ability to manage costs related to employee retirement 

and health care benefits;

• 

the uncertainties of litigation, including liabilities related 
to the safety and security of the products, solutions and 
services we sell;

•  our ability to manage and mitigate the risks associated with 

our solutions and services businesses;

•  disruptions to our distribution channels or the failure of 
distributors to develop and maintain capabilities to sell 
our products;

• 

• 

• 

the successful integration and management of acquired 
businesses and technologies;

the availability and price of components and materials;

the successful execution of our cost productivity 
initiatives; and

•  other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited 

to those detailed from time to time in our Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.

These forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs as of 
the date of filing this report. We undertake no obligation to 
update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as 
a result of new information, future events or otherwise. See 
Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information.

Item 1. Business

General

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (“Rockwell Automation” or the 
“Company”), a leader in industrial automation and information, 
makes its customers more productive and the world more 
sustainable. Our products, solutions and services are designed 
to meet our customers’ needs to reduce total cost of 
ownership, maximize asset utilization, improve time to market 
and reduce enterprise business risk.

The Company continues the business founded as the Allen-
Bradley Company in 1903. The privately-owned Allen-Bradley 
Company was a leading North American manufacturer of 
industrial automation equipment when the former Rockwell 
International Corporation (RIC) purchased it in 1985.

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in connection 
with a tax-free reorganization completed on December 6, 
1996, pursuant to which we divested our former aerospace 
and defense businesses (the A&D Business) to The Boeing 
Company (Boeing). In the reorganization, RIC contributed all of 
its businesses, other than the A&D Business, to the Company 
and distributed all capital stock of the Company to RIC’s 
shareowners. Boeing then acquired RIC.

As used herein, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Rockwell Automation” 
or the “Company” include subsidiaries and predecessors 
unless the context indicates otherwise. Information included 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to our continuing 
businesses unless otherwise indicated.

www.rockwellautomation.com  3

Whenever an Item of this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers 
to information in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting 
of Shareowners to be held on February 6, 2018 (the Proxy 
Statement), or to information under specific captions in 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), or in Item 8. 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data (the Financial 
Statements), the information is incorporated in that Item by 
reference. All date references to years and quarters refer to our 
fiscal year and quarters unless otherwise stated.

Operating Segments

We have two operating segments: Architecture & Software 
and Control Products & Solutions. In 2017, our total sales were 
$6.3 billion. Our Architecture & Software operating segment 
recorded sales of $2.9 billion (46 percent of our total sales) in 
2017. Our Control Products & Solutions operating segment 
recorded sales of $3.4 billion (54 percent of our total sales) 
in 2017.

Our Architecture & Software operating segment is 
headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and our Control 
Products & Solutions operating segment is headquartered 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both operating segments share a 
common sales organization and supply chain and conduct 
business globally. Major markets served by both segments 
consist of consumer industries, including food and beverage, 
home and personal care and life sciences; transportation, 
including automotive and tire; and heavy industries, including 
oil and gas, mining and metals.

Additional information with respect to our operating segments, 
including a description of our operating segments and their 
contributions to sales and operating earnings for each of 
the three years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is 
contained in Note 16 in the Financial Statements and under the 
caption Results of Operations in MD&A.

Geographic Information

In 2017, sales to customers in the United States accounted 
for 55 percent of our total sales. We do business in more than 
80 countries around the world. The largest sales outside the 
United States on a country-of-destination basis are in China, 
Canada, Mexico, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Brazil. 
See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks associated 
with our global operations. Sales and property information 
by major geographic area for each of the past three years is 
contained in Note 16 in the Financial Statements.

Competition

Our competitors range from large diversified corporations that 
also have business interests outside of industrial automation 
to smaller companies that specialize in niche industrial 
automation products, solutions and services. Factors that 
influence our competitive position include the breadth of 
our product portfolio and scope of solutions, technology 
differentiation, domain expertise, installed base, distribution 
network, quality of products, solutions and services, global 
presence and price. Major competitors of both segments 
include Siemens AG, ABB Ltd, Schneider Electric SA, Emerson 
Electric Co., Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Honeywell 
International Inc.

Distribution

In most countries, we sell primarily through independent 
distributors in conjunction with our direct sales force. In other 
countries, we sell through a combination of our direct sales 
force and to a lesser extent, through independent distributors. 
Approximately 75 percent of our global sales are through 
independent distributors. Sales to our largest distributor in 
2017, 2016 and 2015 were approximately 10 percent of our 
total sales.

Research and Development

Our research and development spending for the years ended 
September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $348.2 million, 
$319.3 million and $307.3 million, respectively. Customer-
sponsored research and development was not significant in 
2017, 2016 or 2015.

Employees

At September 30, 2017, we had approximately 22,000 
employees. Approximately 8,500 were employed in the 
United States.

Raw Materials

We purchase a wide range of equipment, components, finished 
products and materials used in our business. The raw materials 
essential to the manufacture of our products generally are 
available at competitive prices. We have a broad base of 
suppliers and subcontractors. We depend upon the ability 
of our suppliers and subcontractors to meet performance 
and quality specifications and delivery schedules. See 
Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks associated with 
our reliance on third party suppliers.

4  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Backlog

Available Information

Our total order backlog consists of (in millions):

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

September 30,
2016
2017
$185.8
$205.1
1,024.6
1,091.6
$1,210.4
$1,296.7

Backlog is not necessarily indicative of results of operations 
for future periods due to the short-cycle nature of most of our 
sales activities. Backlog orders scheduled beyond 2018 were 
approximately $269 million as of September 30, 2017.

Environmental Protection 
Requirements

Information about the effect of compliance with environmental 
protection requirements and resolution of environmental 
claims is contained in Note 15 in the Financial Statements. See 
Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks associated with 
liabilities and costs related to environmental remediation.

Patents, Licenses and Trademarks

We own or license numerous patents and patent applications 
related to our products and operations. While in the aggregate 
our patents and licenses are important in the operation of 
our business, we do not believe that loss or termination of 
any one of them would materially affect our business or 
financial condition. Various claims of patent infringement 
and requests for patent indemnification have been made 
to us. We believe that none of these claims or requests will 
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. See 
Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks associated with 
our intellectual property.

The Company’s name and its registered trademark “Rockwell 
Automation®” and other trademarks such as “Allen-Bradley®”, 
“A-B®” and “PlantPAx Process Automation System™” are 
important to both of our business segments. In addition, 
we own other important trademarks that we use, such as 
“PowerFlex®” for our AC drives, and “Rockwell Software®” and 
“FactoryTalk®” for our software offerings.

Seasonality

Our business segments are not subject to significant 
seasonality. However, the calendarization of our results can vary 
and may be affected by the seasonal spending patterns of our 
customers due to their annual budgeting processes and their 
working schedules.

We maintain a website at http://www.rockwellautomation.com. 
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on 
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments 
to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange 
Act), as well as our annual reports to shareowners and Section 
16 reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5, are available free of charge 
on this site through the “Investors” link as soon as reasonably 
practicable after we file or furnish these reports with the SEC. 
All reports we file with the SEC are also available free of charge 
via EDGAR through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. 
Our Guidelines on Corporate Governance and charters for 
our Board committees are also available on our website. 
The information contained on and linked from our website 
is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In the ordinary course of our business, we face various strategic, 
operating, compliance and financial risks. These risks could 
have an impact on our business, financial condition, operating 
results and cash flows. Our most significant risks are set forth 
below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process seeks to 
identify and address significant risks. Our ERM process assesses, 
manages, and monitors risks consistent with the integrated risk 
framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (COSO). We believe that risk-taking is an 
inherent aspect of the pursuit of our growth and performance 
strategy. Our goal is to manage risks prudently rather than 
avoid risks. We can mitigate risks and their impact on the 
Company only to a limited extent.

A team of senior executives prioritizes identified risks and 
assigns an executive to address each major identified risk area 
and lead action plans to manage risks. Our Board of Directors 
provides oversight of the ERM process and reviews significant 
identified risks. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors 
also reviews significant financial risk exposures and the steps 
management has taken to monitor and manage them. Our 
other Board committees also play a role in risk management, as 
set forth in their respective charters.

Our goal is to proactively manage risks in a structured approach 
in conjunction with strategic planning, with the intent to 
preserve and enhance shareowner value. However, the risks set 
forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 
and other risks and uncertainties could adversely affect us and 
cause our results to vary materially from recent results or from 
our anticipated future results.

www.rockwellautomation.com  5

Adverse changes in business or industry conditions and 
volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets 
may result in decreases in our sales and profitability.

Failures or security breaches of our products, manufacturing 
environment, or information technology systems could have 
an adverse effect on our business.

We rely heavily on information technology (IT) in our 
products, solutions and services for customers, manufacturing 
environment, and in our enterprise IT infrastructure in order to 
achieve our business objectives. Despite the implementation 
of security measures, IT systems, including our corporate 
enterprise systems, manufacturing systems, and industrial 
control systems such as those we sell and service, are 
vulnerable to unauthorized access by nation states, hackers, 
cyber-criminals, malicious insiders and other actors who may 
engage in fraud, theft of confidential or proprietary information 
and sabotage. These systems are also vulnerable to malware 
(including ransomware), cyber attack, and other events, ranging 
from individual attempts to advanced persistent threats. Recent 
global cyber attacks have been perpetuated by compromising 
software updates in widely-used software products, increasing 
the risk of this potential threat. In some cases, these malware 
attacks were spread throughout the supply chain, moving from 
one company to the next via authorized network connections.

Our products, solutions and services are used by our direct 
and indirect customers in applications that may be subject 
to information theft, tampering or sabotage. Among other 
industries, our products, solutions and services are often 
employed in the control of critical infrastructure. Careless 
or malicious actors could cause a customer’s process to be 
disrupted or could cause equipment to operate in an improper 
manner that could result in harm to people or property. While 
we continue to improve the security attributes of our products, 
solutions and services, we can reduce risk, not eliminate it. 
To a significant extent, the security of our customers’ systems 
depends on how those systems are designed, installed, 
protected, configured, updated and monitored, much of which 
are typically outside our control.

Our business uses IT resources on a dispersed, global basis for a 
wide variety of functions including development, engineering, 
manufacturing, sales, accounting, and human resources. Our 
vendors, partners, employees and customers have access to, 
and share, information across multiple locations via various 
digital technologies. In addition, we rely on partners and 
vendors for a wide range of outsourced activities. Secure 
connectivity is important to these ongoing operations. Also, 
our partners and vendors frequently have access to our 
confidential information as well as confidential information 
about our customers, employees and others.

We are subject to macroeconomic cycles and when recessions 
occur, we may experience reduced orders, payment delays or 
defaults, supply chain disruptions or other factors as a result of 
the economic challenges faced by our customers, prospective 
customers and suppliers.

Demand for our products is sensitive to changes in levels of 
industrial production and the financial performance of major 
industries that we serve. As economic activity slows, credit 
markets tighten, or sovereign debt concerns arise, companies 
tend to reduce their levels of capital spending, which could 
result in decreased demand for our products.

Our ability to access the credit markets and the costs of 
borrowing are affected by the strength of our credit rating and 
current market conditions. If our access to credit, including the 
commercial paper market, is adversely affected by a change in 
market conditions or otherwise, our cost of borrowings may 
increase or our ability to fund operations may be reduced.

We sell to customers around the world and are subject to the 
risks of doing business in many countries.

We do business in more than 80 countries around the 
world. Approximately 45 percent of our sales in 2017 were 
to customers outside the U.S. In addition, many of our 
manufacturing operations, suppliers and employees are 
located in many places around the world. The future success 
of our business depends in large part on growth in our 
sales in non-U.S. markets. Our global operations are subject 
to numerous financial, legal and operating risks, such as 
political and economic instability; prevalence of corruption 
in certain countries; enforcement of contract and intellectual 
property rights; and compliance with existing and future 
laws, regulations and policies, including those related to 
tariffs, investments, taxation, trade controls, product content 
and performance, employment and repatriation of earnings. 
In addition, we are affected by changes in foreign currency 
exchange rates, inflation rates and interest rates.

An inability to respond to changes in customer preferences 
could result in decreased demand for our products.

Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate 
and offer products that appeal to the changing needs and 
preferences of our customers in the various markets we serve. 
Developing new products requires high levels of innovation, 
and the development process is often lengthy and costly. If 
we are not able to anticipate, identify, develop and market 
products that respond to changes in customer preferences, 
demand for our products could decline.

6  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Our information security efforts, under the leadership of 
our Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Product 
Security Officer, with the support of the entire management 
team, include major programs designed to address security 
governance, product security, identification and protection of 
critical assets, insider risk, third-party risk, and cyber defense 
operations. We believe these measures reduce, but cannot 
eliminate, the risk of an information security incident.

Any significant security incidents could have an adverse impact 
on sales, harm our reputation and cause us to incur legal 
liability and increased costs to address such events and related 
security concerns.

There are inherent risks in our solutions and 
services businesses.

Risks inherent in the sale of solutions and services include 
assuming greater responsibility for successfully delivering 
projects that meet a particular customer specification, 
including defining and controlling contract scope, efficiently 
executing projects, and managing the performance and 
quality of our subcontractors and suppliers. If we are unable to 
manage and mitigate these risks, we could incur cost overruns, 
liabilities and other losses that would adversely affect our 
results of operations.

New legislative and regulatory actions could adversely affect 
our business.

Legislative and regulatory action may be taken in the various 
countries and other jurisdictions where we operate that 
may affect our business activities in these countries or may 
otherwise increase our costs to do business. For example, we 
are increasingly required to comply with various environmental 
and other material, product, certification and labeling laws and 
regulations. Our customers may also be required to comply 
with such legislative and regulatory requirements. These 
requirements could increase our costs and could potentially 
have an adverse effect on our ability to ship our products into 
certain jurisdictions. Changes in these requirements could 
impact demand for our products, solutions and services.

Our industry is highly competitive.

We face strong competition in all of our market segments in 
several significant respects. We compete based on breadth 
and scope of our product portfolio and solution and service 
offerings, technology differentiation, the domain expertise of 
our employees and partners, product performance, quality of 
our products, solutions and services, knowledge of integrated 
systems and applications that address our customers’ business 
challenges, pricing, delivery and customer service. The relative 
importance of these factors differs across the geographic 

markets and product areas that we serve and across our 
market segments. We seek to maintain acceptable pricing 
levels across and within geographic markets by continually 
developing advanced technologies for new products and 
product enhancements and offering complete solutions for our 
customers’ business problems. In addition, we continue to drive 
productivity to reduce our cost structure. If we fail to achieve 
our objectives, to keep pace with technological changes, or to 
provide high quality products, solutions and services, we may 
lose business or experience price erosion and correspondingly 
lower sales and margins. We expect the level of competition 
to remain high in the future, which could limit our ability to 
maintain or increase our market share or profitability.

We face the potential harms of natural disasters, pandemics, 
acts of war, terrorism, international conflicts or other 
disruptions to our operations.

Our business depends on the movement of people and goods 
around the world. Natural disasters, pandemics, acts or threats 
of war or terrorism, international conflicts, political instability 
and the actions taken by governments could cause damage 
to or disrupt our business operations, our suppliers or our 
customers, and could create economic instability. Although it 
is not possible to predict such events or their consequences, 
these events could decrease demand for our products or make 
it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products.

Intellectual property infringement claims of others and the 
inability to protect our intellectual property rights could 
harm our business and our customers.

Others may assert intellectual property infringement claims 
against us or our customers. We frequently provide a limited 
intellectual property indemnity in connection with our terms 
and conditions of sale to our customers and in other types of 
contracts with third parties. Indemnification payments and 
legal expenses to defend claims could be costly.

In addition, we own the rights to many patents, trademarks, 
brand names and trade names that are important to our 
business. The inability to enforce our intellectual property 
rights may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 
Expenses related to enforcing our intellectual property rights 
could be significant.

Claims from taxing authorities could have an adverse effect 
on our income tax expense and financial position.

We conduct business in many countries, which requires us to 
interpret and comply with the income tax laws and rulings 
in each of those taxing jurisdictions. Due to the ambiguity of 
tax laws among those jurisdictions as well as the uncertainty 
of how underlying facts may be construed, our estimates 

www.rockwellautomation.com  7

of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or 
assessments. We must successfully defend any claims from 
taxing authorities to avoid an adverse effect on our operating 
results and financial position.

Our business success depends on attracting, developing, and 
retaining highly qualified personnel.

Our success depends in part on the efforts and abilities 
of our management team and key employees. Their skills, 
experience and industry knowledge significantly benefit our 
operations and performance. Difficulty attracting, developing, 
and retaining members of our management team and key 
employees could have a negative effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

Increasing employee benefit costs could have a negative 
effect on our operating results and financial condition.

One important aspect of attracting and retaining qualified 
personnel is continuing to offer competitive employee 
retirement and health care benefits. The expenses we record 
for our pension and other postretirement benefit pension 
plans depend on factors such as changes in market interest 
rates, the value of plan assets, mortality assumptions and 
health care trend rates. Significant unfavorable changes in 
these factors would increase our expenses. Expenses related 
to employer-funded health care benefits depend on laws and 
regulations, which could change, as well as health care cost 
inflation. An inability to control costs related to employee and 
retiree benefits could negatively impact our operating results 
and financial condition.

We rely on our distribution channel for a substantial portion 
of our sales.

In the United States and Canada, a large percentage of our 
sales are through distributors. In certain other countries, the 
majority of our sales are also through a limited number of 
distributors. We depend on the capabilities and competencies 
of our distributors to sell our products and services and deliver 
value to our customers. Disruptions to our existing distribution 
channel or the failure of distributors to maintain and develop 
the appropriate capabilities to sell our products and services 
could adversely affect our sales. A disruption could result from 
the sale of a distributor to a competitor, financial instability of a 
distributor or other events.

Potential liabilities and costs from litigation (including 
asbestos claims and environmental remediation) could 
reduce our profitability.

Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may 
be asserted against us relating to the conduct of our business, 
including those pertaining to the safety and security of the 
products, solutions and services we sell, employment, contract 
matters, and environmental remediation.

8  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits alleging 
personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos that was 
used in certain of our products many years ago. Our products 
may also be used in hazardous industrial activities, which could 
result in product liability claims. The uncertainties of litigation 
(including asbestos claims) and the uncertainties related to the 
collection of insurance coverage make it difficult to predict the 
ultimate resolution.

Our operations are subject to various environmental 
regulations that are concerned with human health, the 
limitation and control of emissions and discharges into the 
air, ground, and water, the quality of air and bodies of water, 
and the handling, use and disposal of specified substances. 
Our financial responsibility to clean up contaminated property 
or for natural resource damages may extend to previously 
owned or used properties, waterways and properties owned 
by unrelated companies or individuals, as well as properties 
that we currently own and use, regardless of whether the 
contamination is attributable to prior owners. We have been 
named as a potentially responsible party at cleanup sites and 
may be so named in the future, and the costs associated with 
these current and future sites may be significant.

We have, from time to time, divested certain of our businesses. 
In connection with these divestitures, certain lawsuits, claims 
and proceedings may be instituted or asserted against us 
related to the period that we owned the businesses, either 
because we agreed to retain certain liabilities related to these 
periods or because such liabilities fall upon us by operation of 
law. In some instances, the divested business has assumed the 
liabilities; however, it is possible that we might be responsible 
for satisfying those liabilities if the divested business is unable 
to do so.

Failure to identify, manage, complete, and integrate 
acquisitions and technology investments may adversely 
affect our business.

As part of our strategy, we may pursue acquisitions of 
or investment opportunities in businesses as well as the 
purchase of technology from third parties. In order to be 
successful with these transactions, we must identify attractive 
acquisition or investment opportunities, successfully complete 
the transaction, and manage post-closing matters, such as 
integration of the acquired business or technology. We may 
not be able to identify or complete beneficial acquisition or 
transaction opportunities given the intense competition for 
them. Even if we successfully identify and complete such 
transactions, we may not be able to successfully address risks 
and uncertainties inherent in such transactions, including:

•  difficulties in integrating the purchased operations, 

technologies, products or services, retaining the acquired 
business’ customers and achieving the expected benefits 

of the acquisition, such as sales increases, access to 
technologies, cost savings and increases in geographic or 
product presence, in the desired time frames;

loss of key employees of the acquired business;

legal and compliance issues;

• 

• 

•  difficulties implementing and maintaining consistent 

standards, controls, procedures, policies and information 
systems; and

•  diversion of management’s attention from other 

business concerns.

Future acquisitions and technology investments could 
result in debt, dilution, liabilities, increased interest expense, 
restructuring charges and amortization expenses related to 
intangible assets.

We rely on suppliers to provide equipment, components 
and services.

Our business requires that we buy equipment, components 
and services including finished products, electronic 
components and commodities such as copper, aluminum and 
steel. Our reliance on suppliers involves certain risks, including:

• 

• 

• 

intellectual property risks such as ownership of rights or 
alleged infringement by suppliers;

information security risks associated with providing 
confidential information to suppliers; and

shortages of components, commodities or other materials, 
which could adversely affect our manufacturing efficiencies 
and ability to make timely delivery.

Any of these uncertainties could adversely affect our 
profitability and ability to compete. We also maintain several 
single-source supplier relationships, because either alternative 
sources are not available or the relationship is advantageous 
due to performance, quality, support, delivery, capacity, 
or price considerations. Unavailability or delivery delays of 
single-source components or products could adversely affect 
our ability to ship the related products in a timely manner. The 
effect of unavailability or delivery delays would be more severe 
if associated with our higher volume and more profitable 
products. Even where substitute sources of supply are available, 
qualifying the alternate suppliers and establishing reliable 
supplies could cost more or could result in delays and a loss 
of sales.

•  poor quality or an insecure supply chain, which 

could adversely affect the reliability and reputation of 
our products;

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff 
Comments

• 

changes in the cost of these purchases due to inflation, 
exchange rates, commodity market volatility or 
other factors;

None.

Item 2. Properties

We operate manufacturing facilities in the United States and multiple other countries. Manufacturing space occupied 
approximately 3.3 million square feet, of which 38 percent was in the United States and Canada. Our global headquarters are 
located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a facility that we own. We lease the remaining facilities noted below. Most of our facilities 
are shared by operations in both segments and may be used for multiple purposes such as administrative, manufacturing, 
warehousing and / or distribution.

The following table sets forth information regarding our headquarter locations as of September 30, 2017.

Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Mayfield Heights, Ohio, United States
Cambridge, Canada
Capelle, Netherlands / Diegem, Belgium
Hong Kong
Weston, Florida, United States

Segment/Region
Global Headquarters and Control Products & Solutions
Architecture & Software
Canada
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Latin America

www.rockwellautomation.com  9

The following table sets forth information regarding the manufacturing square footage of our principal locations as of 
September 30, 2017.

Location
Monterrey, Mexico
Aarau, Switzerland
Twinsburg, Ohio, United States
Mequon, Wisconsin, United States
Cambridge, Canada
Harbin, China
Shanghai, China
Singapore
Katowice, Poland
Tecate, Mexico
Ladysmith, Wisconsin, United States
Richland Center, Wisconsin, United States
Jundiai, Brazil

Manufacturing Square Footage
637,000
284,000
257,000
240,000
216,000
162,000
141,000
139,000
138,000
135,000
124,000
124,000
115,000

There are no major encumbrances (other than financing arrangements, which in the aggregate are not significant) on any of our 
plants or equipment. In our opinion, our properties have been well maintained, are in sound operating condition and contain all 
equipment and facilities necessary to operate at present levels.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The information required by this Item is contained in Note 15 in the Financial Statements within the section entitled 
Other Matters.

10  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Company

The name, age, office and position held with the Company and principal occupations and employment during the past five years 
of each of the executive officers of the Company as of November 1, 2017 are:

Name, Office and Position, and Principal Occupations and Employment
Blake D. Moret — President and Chief Executive Officer since July 1, 2016; previously Senior Vice President
Sujeet Chand — Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Patrick P. Goris — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 7, 2017; previously Vice President, 
Finance, Architecture and Software and (from 2013-2015) Operating and Engineering Services, and (from July 2015) Vice 
President, Investor Relations
Theodore D. Crandall — Senior Vice President since February 7, 2017; previously Senior Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer
David M. Dorgan — Vice President and Controller
Steven W. Etzel — Vice President and Treasurer
Elik I. Fooks — Senior Vice President since March 16, 2017; previously Vice President and General Manager, Sensing, 
Safety, and Connectivity Business
Rebecca W. House — Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since January 3, 2017; previously 
Assistant General Counsel, Operations and Compliance, and Assistant Secretary at Harley-Davidson, Inc. 
(motorcycle manufacturer)
Frank C. Kulaszewicz — Senior Vice President
John P. McDermott — Senior Vice President
John M. Miller — Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel
Robert B. Murphy — Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering Services since May 2, 2016; previously Vice 
President, Manufacturing Operations
Christopher Nardecchia — Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since November 1, 2017; previously Vice 
President and Chief Information Officer, Global Operations and Supply Chain, Amgen, Inc. (biopharmaceutical company)
Susan J. Schmitt — Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Age
54
59

46

62
53
57

66

44
53
59
50

58

55
54

There are no family relationships, as defined by applicable SEC rules, between any of the above executive officers and any 
other executive officer or director of the Company. No officer of the Company was selected pursuant to any arrangement or 
understanding between the officer and any person other than the Company. All executive officers are elected annually.

www.rockwellautomation.com  11

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Company’s Common Equity, 
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “ROK.” On October 31, 2017, there were 
17,064 shareowners of record of our common stock.

The following table sets forth the high and low sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange-Composite 
Transactions reporting system during each quarter of our fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:

Fiscal Quarters
First
Second
Third
Fourth

We declare and pay dividends at the sole discretion of 
our Board of Directors. During 2017 we declared and paid 
aggregate cash dividends of $3.04 per common share. 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we increased our 
quarterly dividend per common share 5 percent to 76 cents 

Company Purchases

2017

2016

High
$139.64
157.30
165.39
179.50

Low
$114.46
135.18
148.31
158.00

High
$111.03
115.62
120.60
123.11

Low
$ 98.47
87.53
107.17
110.89

per common share effective with the dividend payable in 
December 2016 ($3.04 per common share annually). During 
2016 we declared and paid aggregate cash dividends of 
$2.90 per common share.

The table below sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of us of shares of our common stock 
during the three months ended September 30, 2017:

Period
July 1 – 31, 2017
August 1 – 31, 2017
September 1 – 30, 2017
Total

Total 
Number  
of Shares  
Purchased
149,700
60,000
—
209,700

Average  
Price Paid 
Per Share(1)
$164.73
165.11
—
164.84

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
as Part of Publicly 
Announced Plans 
or Programs

149,700
60,000
—
209,700

Maximum Approx. 
Dollar Value of 
Shares that May 
Yet Be Purchased 
Under the Plans or 
Programs(2)

$618,311,524
608,404,669
608,404,669

(1)  Average price paid per share includes brokerage commissions.

(2)  On April 6, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized us to expend $1.0 billion to repurchase shares of our common stock. Our repurchase program 
allows us to repurchase shares at management’s discretion or at our broker’s discretion pursuant to a share repurchase plan subject to price and 
volume parameters.

12  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Performance Graph

The following information is not deemed to be “soliciting 
material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to 
Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) or to the liabilities of 
Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and will not be deemed to be 
incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, 
except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it 
by reference into such a filing.

The following line graph compares the cumulative total 
shareowner return on our Common Stock against the 
cumulative total return of the S&P Composite-500 Stock 
Index and the S&P Electrical Components & Equipment (S&P 
Electrical C&E) Index for the period of five fiscal years from 
October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2017, assuming in each case 
a fixed investment of $100 at the respective closing prices on 
September 30, 2012 and reinvestment of all dividends.

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
Rockwell Automation, S&P 500 Index, and S&P Electrical Components & Equipment

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Fiscal Year Ended September 30

Rockwell Automation*

S&P 500 Index

S&P Electrical C&E

The cumulative total returns on Rockwell Automation Common Stock and each index as of each September 30, 2012 through 
2017 plotted in the above graph are as follows:

Rockwell Automation*
S&P 500 Index
S&P Electrical Components & Equipment
Cash dividends per common share

* 

Includes the reinvestment of all dividends in our Common Stock.

2012
$100.00
100.00
100.00
1.745

2013
$157.17
119.34
138.10
1.98

2014
$164.66
142.89
137.20
2.32

2015
$155.63
142.02
113.89
2.60

2016
$192.64
163.93
140.88
2.90

2017
$286.17
194.44
169.23
3.04

www.rockwellautomation.com  13

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data of our continuing operations. The data should be read in 
conjunction with MD&A and the Financial Statements. The selected financial data below has been derived from our audited 
consolidated financial statements.

2017

Year Ended September 30,
2016

2015
(in millions, except per share data)

2014

2013

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Sales
Interest expense
Net income(1)
Earnings per share:

Basic
Diluted

Cash dividends per share
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:  
(at end of period)
Total assets
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Shareowners’ equity
Other Data:
Capital expenditures
Depreciation
Intangible asset amortization

$6,311.3
76.2
825.7

$5,879.5
71.3
729.7

$6,307.9
63.7
827.6

$6,623.5
59.3
826.8

$6,351.9
60.9
756.3

6.42
6.35
3.04

5.60
5.56
2.90

6.15
6.09
2.60

5.98
5.91
2.32

5.43
5.36
1.98

$7,161.7
600.4
1,243.4
2,663.6

$141.7
138.7
30.2

$7,101.2
448.6
1,516.3
1,990.1

$116.9
143.3
28.9

$6,404.7
—
1,500.9
2,256.8

$122.9
133.1
29.4

$6,224.3
325.0
900.4
2,658.1

$141.0
122.5
30.0

$5,844.6
179.0
905.1
2,585.5

$146.2
113.8
31.4

(1)  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we sold a product distribution business within our Control Products & Solutions segment. This business 

held no intellectual property and included products sold outside of our core channel and under different brands. We sold this business for 
approximately $94 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $60.8 million, which is included within Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations.

Item 7. Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations

Results of Operations

Non-GAAP Measures

The following discussion includes organic sales, total segment 
operating earnings and margin, Adjusted Income, Adjusted 
EPS, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate and free cash flow, which are 
non-GAAP measures. See Supplemental Sales Information 
for a reconciliation of reported sales to organic sales and a 
discussion of why we believe this non-GAAP measure is useful 
to investors. See Results of Operations for a reconciliation 
of income before income taxes to total segment operating 
earnings and margin and a discussion of why we believe these 

14  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

non-GAAP measures are useful to investors. See Results of 
Operations for a reconciliation of income from continuing 
operations, diluted EPS from continuing operations and 
effective tax rate to Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and 
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, respectively, and a discussion 
of why we believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to 
investors. See Financial Condition for a reconciliation of 
cash flows from operating activities to free cash flow and 
a discussion of why we believe this non-GAAP measure is 
useful to investors.

Overview

Rockwell Automation, Inc., a leader in industrial automation 
and information, makes its customers more productive and 
the world more sustainable. Overall demand for our products, 
solutions and services is driven by:

• 

investments in manufacturing, including upgrades, 
modifications and expansions of existing facilities or 
production lines and new facilities or production lines;

• 

investments in basic materials production capacity, which 
may be related to commodity pricing levels;

•  our customers’ needs for faster time to market, lower 

total cost of ownership, improved asset utilization and 
optimization, and enterprise risk management;

•  our customers’ needs to continuously improve quality, 

safety and sustainability;

 industry factors that include our customers’ new product 
introductions, demand for our customers’ products or 
services and the regulatory and competitive environments 
in which our customers operate;

levels of global industrial production and 
capacity utilization;

By implementing the above strategy, we seek to achieve our 
long-term financial goals, including above-market organic sales 
growth, EPS growth above sales growth, return on invested 
capital in excess of 20 percent and free cash flow equal to 
about 100 percent of Adjusted Income. We expect acquisitions 
to add a percentage point or more per year to long-term 
sales growth.

Our customers face the challenge of remaining globally cost 
competitive and automation can help them achieve their 
productivity and sustainability objectives. Our value proposition 
is to help our customers reduce time to market, lower total 
cost of ownership, improve asset utilization and manage 
enterprise risks.

regional factors that include local political, social, regulatory 
and economic circumstances; and

Differentiation through Technology Innovation and 
Domain Expertise

• 

• 

• 

• 

the spending patterns of our customers due to their annual 
budgeting processes and their working schedules.

Long-term Strategy

Our strategy is to bring The Connected Enterprise to life. We 
integrate control and information across the enterprise to help 
industrial companies and their people be more productive. Our 
vision of being the most valued global provider of innovative 
industrial automation and information products, solutions and 
services is supported by our growth and performance strategy, 
which seeks to:

• 

achieve organic sales growth in excess of the automation 
market by expanding our served market and strengthening 
our competitive differentiation;

•  diversify our sales streams by broadening our portfolio 
of products, solutions and services, expanding our 
global presence and serving a wider range of industries 
and applications;

•  grow market share by gaining new customers and by 

capturing a larger share of existing customers’ spending;

• 

• 

enhance our market access by building our channel 
capability and partner network;

acquire companies that serve as catalysts to organic 
growth by adding complementary technology, expanding 
our served market, or enhancing our domain expertise or 
market access;

•  deploy human and financial resources to strengthen 
our technology leadership and our intellectual capital 
business model;

• 

continuously improve quality and customer 
experience; and

•  drive annual cost productivity.

We seek a technology leadership position in industrial 
automation. We believe that our three platforms - integrated 
architecture, intelligent motor control and solutions and 
services - provide the foundation for a long-term sustainable 
competitive advantage.

Our integrated control and information architecture, with 
Logix at its core, is an important differentiator. We are the 
only automation provider that can support discrete, process, 
batch, safety, motion and power control on the same hardware 
platform with the same software programming environment. 
Our integrated architecture is scalable with standard open 
communications protocols making it easier for customers to 
implement it more cost effectively.

Intelligent motor control is one of our core competencies and 
an important aspect of an automation system. These products 
and solutions enhance the availability, efficiency and safe 
operation of our customers’ critical and most energy-intensive 
plant assets. Our intelligent motor control offering can be 
integrated seamlessly with the Logix architecture.

Domain expertise refers to the industry and application 
knowledge required to deliver solutions and services that 
support customers through the entire life cycle of their 
automation investment. The combination of industry-specific 
domain expertise of our people with our innovative 
technologies enables us to help our customers solve their 
manufacturing and business challenges.

Global Expansion

As the manufacturing world continues to expand, we must 
be able to meet our customers’ needs around the world. 
Approximately 60 percent of our employees and 45 percent 
of our sales are outside the U.S. We continue to expand our 
footprint in emerging markets.

www.rockwellautomation.com  15

As we expand in markets with considerable growth potential 
and shift our global footprint, we expect to continue to 
broaden the portfolio of products, solutions and services that 
we provide to our customers in these regions. We have made 
significant investments to globalize our manufacturing, product 
development and customer-facing resources in order to be closer 
to our customers throughout the world. The emerging markets 
of Asia Pacific, including China and India, Latin America, Central 
and Eastern Europe and Africa are projected to be the fastest 
growing over the long term, due to higher levels of infrastructure 
investment and the growing middle-class population. We believe 
that increased demand for consumer products in these markets 
will lead to manufacturing investment and provide us with 
additional growth opportunities in the future.

Enhanced Market Access

Over the past decade, our investments in technology and 
globalization have enabled us to expand our addressed market 
to over $90 billion. Our process initiative has been the most 
important contributor to this expansion and remains our largest 
growth opportunity. Logix is the technology foundation that 
enabled us to become an industry leader for process applications. 
We complement that with a growing global network of engineers 
and partners to provide solutions to process customers.

OEMs represent another area of addressed market expansion 
and an important growth opportunity. To remain competitive, 
OEMs need to find the optimal balance of machine cost and 
performance while reducing their time to market. Our scalable 
integrated architecture and intelligent motor control offerings, 
along with design productivity tools and our motion and safety 
products, can assist OEMs in addressing these business needs.

We have developed a powerful network of channel partners, 
technology partners and commercial partners that act as 
amplifiers to our internal capabilities and enable us to serve our 
customers’ needs around the world.

Broad Range of Industries Served

We apply our knowledge of manufacturing applications to help 
customers solve their business challenges. We serve customers 
in a wide range of industries, including consumer products, 
heavy industries and transportation.

Our consumer products customers are engaged in the 
food and beverage, home and personal care and life 
sciences industries. These customers’ needs include new 
capacity, incremental capacity from existing facilities, flexible 
manufacturing and regulatory compliance. These customers 
operate in an environment where product innovation and time 
to market are critical factors.

We serve customers in heavy industries, including oil and gas, 
mining, aggregates, cement, metals, energy, semiconductor, pulp 
and paper and water/wastewater. Companies in resource-based 

16  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

industries typically invest in capacity expansion when commodity 
prices are relatively high and global demand for basic materials is 
increasing. In addition, there is ongoing investment in upgrades 
of aging automation systems and productivity.

In the transportation industry, factors such as geographic 
expansion, investment in new model introductions and more 
flexible manufacturing technologies influence customers’ 
automation investment decisions. Our sales in transportation 
are primarily to automotive and tire manufacturers.

All of these industries also generate maintenance repair 
order (MRO) and ongoing services revenue related to the 
installed base.

Outsourcing and Sustainability Trends

Demand for our products, solutions and services across all 
industries benefits from the outsourcing and sustainability 
needs of our customers. Customers increasingly desire to 
outsource engineering services to achieve a more flexible cost 
base. Our manufacturing application knowledge enables us to 
serve these customers globally.

We help our customers meet their sustainability needs 
pertaining to energy efficiency, environmental and safety 
goals. Customers across all industries are investing in more 
energy-efficient manufacturing processes and technologies, 
such as intelligent motor control and energy efficient solutions 
and services. In addition, environmental and safety objectives 
often spur customers to invest to ensure compliance and 
implement sustainable business practices.

Acquisitions

Our acquisition strategy focuses on products, solutions and 
services that will be catalytic to the organic growth of our 
core offerings.

In September 2016, we acquired Maverick Technologies, 
a leading systems integrator. This acquisition significantly 
enhances our expertise in key process and batch applications 
that help our customers realize greater productivity and 
improved global competitiveness through process control and 
information management solutions.

In September 2016, we acquired Automation Control Products, 
a premier provider in centralized thin client, remote desktop 
and server management software. This acquisition strengthens 
our ability to provide our customers with visual display and 
software solutions to manage information and streamline 
workflows for a more connected manufacturing environment.

In March 2016, we acquired MagneMotion Inc., a leading 
manufacturer of intelligent conveying systems. This 
acquisition continues our strategy to build a portfolio of 
smart manufacturing technologies by expanding our existing 
capabilities in independent cart technology.

In October 2014, we acquired the assets of ESC Services, Inc., 
a global provider of lockout-tagout services and solutions. 
This acquisition enables our customers to increase their asset 
utilization and strengthen their enterprise risk management.

We believe these acquisitions will help us expand our served 
market and deliver value to our customers.

Continuous Improvement

Productivity and continuous improvement are important 
components of our culture. We have programs in place that 

U.S. Industrial Economic Trends

drive ongoing process improvement, functional streamlining, 
material cost savings and manufacturing productivity. 
Our implementation of common global processes and an 
enterprise-wide business system is nearly complete. These 
are intended to improve profitability that can be used to fund 
investments in growth and to offset inflation. Our ongoing 
productivity initiatives target both cost reduction and improved 
asset utilization. Charges for workforce reductions and facility 
rationalization may be required in order to effectively execute 
our productivity programs.

In 2017, sales in the U.S. accounted for 55 percent of our total sales. The various indicators we use to gauge the direction and 
momentum of our served U.S. markets include:

• 

• 

• 

The Industrial Production (IP) Index, published by the Federal Reserve, which measures the real output of manufacturing, 
mining, and electric and gas utilities. The IP Index is expressed as a percentage of real output in a base year, currently 2012. 
Historically there has been a meaningful correlation between the changes in the IP Index and the level of automation 
investment made by our U.S. customers in their manufacturing base.

The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), published by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), which 
indicates the current and near-term state of manufacturing activity in the U.S. According to the ISM, a PMI measure above 
50 indicates that the U.S. manufacturing economy is generally expanding while a measure below 50 indicates that it is 
generally contracting.

Industrial Equipment Spending, compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which provides insight into spending trends in 
the broad U.S. industrial economy. This measure over the longer term has proven to demonstrate a reasonable correlation with 
our domestic growth.

•  Capacity Utilization (Total Industry), published by the Federal Reserve, which measures plant operating activity. Historically 

there has been a meaningful correlation between Capacity Utilization and levels of U.S. IP.

The table below depicts the trends in these indicators from fiscal 2015 to 2017. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, all four indicators 
improved compared to the same quarter in the prior year, with PMI and Industrial Equipment Spending also improving sequentially.

Fiscal 2017 quarter ended:

September 2017
June 2017
March 2017
December 2016

Fiscal 2016 quarter ended:

September 2016
June 2016
March 2016
December 2015

Fiscal 2015 quarter ended:

September 2015
June 2015
March 2015
December 2014

Note: Economic indicators are subject to revisions by the issuing organizations.

Industrial 
Equipment 
Spending 
(in billions)

Capacity 
Utilization 
(percent)

IP Index

PMI

104.7
105.1
103.7
103.3

103.1
102.9
103.1
103.4

104.4
104.3
105.4
106.3

60.8
57.8
57.2
54.5

51.7
52.8
51.7
47.9

50.1
53.0
52.3
54.9

245.5
241.7
234.3
229.0

226.0
224.4
220.6
224.0

220.7
221.9
216.8
216.5

76.1
76.6
75.8
75.8

75.8
75.7
75.8
76.0

76.7
76.8
77.8
78.6

www.rockwellautomation.com  17

Non-U.S. Economic Trends
In 2017, sales outside the U.S. accounted for 45 percent of 
our total sales. These customers include both indigenous 
companies and multinational companies with expanding 
global presence. In addition to the global factors previously 
mentioned in the “Overview” section, international demand, 
particularly in emerging markets, has historically been driven 
by the strength of the industrial economy in each region, 
investments in infrastructure and expanding consumer 
markets. We use changes in the respective countries’ 
gross domestic product and IP as indicators of the growth 
opportunities in each region where we do business. 

Having seen a return to industrial production growth in all 
regions in fiscal year 2017, further growth is forecast for fiscal 
year 2018. In Europe, business sentiment remains at high levels, 
while in Asia the macroeconomic environment is stable. In 
Latin America, business confidence and investment levels in 
Brazil are improving, although growth is expected to slow in 
Mexico. Industrial production and GDP growth in Canada is 
expected to continue in fiscal year 2018.

Summary of Results of Operations
In 2017, sales were $6,311.3 million, an increase of 7.3 percent year 
over year. Organic sales increased 6.1 percent. Currency translation 
reduced sales by 0.3 percentage points, and acquisitions 
contributed 1.5 percentage points to sales growth. Growth 
was broad-based across regions and was led by strength in the 
automotive, semiconductor, and food and beverage industries.

The following is a summary of our results related to key 
growth initiatives:

• 

• 

• 

Logix reported and organic sales increased 10 percent year 
over year compared to 2016.
Process initiative sales increased 13 percent in 2017 
compared to 2016, and process initiative organic sales 
increased 4 percent. Currency translation reduced 
process sales by one percentage point, and acquisitions 
contributed 10 percentage points to process sales growth.
Sales in emerging countries increased 8.7 percent in 2017 
compared to 2016. Organic sales in emerging countries 
increased 10.1 percent year over year. Currency translation 
reduced sales in emerging countries by 1.5 percentage 
points, and acquisitions contributed 0.1 percentage points 
to sales growth.

The following table reflects our sales and operating results for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, 
except per share amounts):

Year Ended September 30,
2016

2015

2017

Sales

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

Total sales (a)
Segment operating earnings(1)
Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Total segment operating earnings(2) (b)
Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization
General corporate — net
Non-operating pension costs
Gain on sale of business(4)
Interest expense
Income before income taxes (c)
Income tax provision
Net income
Diluted EPS
Adjusted EPS(3)
Diluted weighted average outstanding shares
Total segment operating margin(2) (b/a)
Pre-tax margin (c/a)

$2,899.3
3,412.0
$6,311.3

$2,635.2
3,244.3
$5,879.5

$2,749.5
3,558.4
$6,307.9

$781.5
451.6
1,233.1
(21.4)
(76.3)
(82.6)
60.8
(76.2)
1,037.4
(211.7)
$825.7
$6.35
$6.76
129.9
19.5%
16.4%

$695.0
493.7
1,188.7
(18.4)
(79.7)
(76.2)
—
(71.3)
943.1
(213.4)
$729.7
$5.56
$5.93
131.1
20.2%
16.0%

$808.6
551.9
1,360.5
(21.0)
(85.6)
(62.7)
—
(63.7)
1,127.5
(299.9)
$827.6
$6.09
$6.40
135.7
21.6%
17.9%

(1)  See Note 16 in the Financial Statements for the definition of segment operating earnings.

(2)  Total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin are non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude purchase accounting 

depreciation and amortization, general corporate – net, non-operating pension costs, interest expense and income tax provision because we do 
not consider these costs to be directly related to the operating performance of our segments. We believe that these measures are useful to investors 
as measures of operating performance. We use these measures to monitor and evaluate the profitability of our operating segments. Our measures 
of total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin may be different from measures used by other companies.

(3)  Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP earnings measure that excludes the non-operating pension costs and their related income tax effects. See Adjusted 

Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation for more information on this non-GAAP measure.

(4)  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we sold a product distribution business within our Control Products & Solutions segment. This business held 
no intellectual property and included products sold outside of our core channel and under different brands. We sold this business for approximately 
$94 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $60.8 million, which is included within Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

18  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization and non-operating pension costs are not allocated to our operating segments 
because these costs are excluded from our measurement of each segment's operating performance for internal purposes. If we 
were to allocate these costs, we would attribute them to each of our segments as follows (in millions):

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

Non-operating pension costs
Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017

$6.4
14.0

29.7
46.4

$3.9
13.5

26.9
42.0

$4.3
15.7

22.6
35.3

The increases in non-operating pension costs in both segments in fiscal 2017 were primarily due to the decrease in our U.S. 
discount rate from 4.55 percent for fiscal 2016 to 3.75 percent for fiscal 2017.

Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS 
and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate 
Reconciliation

Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective 
Tax Rate are non-GAAP earnings measures that exclude 
non-operating pension costs and their related income tax 
effects. Non-operating pension costs include defined benefit 
plan interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization 
of actuarial gains and losses and the impact of any plan 
curtailments or settlements. These components of net periodic 
pension cost primarily relate to changes in pension assets and 

liabilities that are a result of market performance; we consider 
these costs to be unrelated to the operating performance of 
our business. We believe that Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS 
and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate provide useful information 
to our investors about our operating performance and 
allow management and investors to compare our operating 
performance period over period. Adjusted EPS is also used as 
a financial measure of performance for our annual incentive 
compensation. Our measures of Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS 
and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate may be different from measures 
used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should 
not be considered a substitute for income from continuing 
operations, diluted EPS and effective tax rate.

The following are the components of operating and non-operating pension costs for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 
and 2015 (in millions):

Service cost
Amortization of prior service credit
Operating pension costs
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of net actuarial loss
Special termination benefit
Settlements
Non-operating pension costs
Net periodic pension cost

Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017
$85.7
$88.0
$97.0
(2.7)
(2.9)
(3.7)
83.0
85.1
93.3
167.2
169.5
151.6
(223.2)
(218.3)
(225.2)
118.7
124.5
152.9
—
0.5
0.5
—
—
2.8
62.7
76.2
82.6
$145.7
$161.3
$175.9

www.rockwellautomation.com  19

The following are reconciliations of income from continuing operations, diluted EPS from continuing operations and effective tax 
rate to Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, respectively, for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 
and 2015 (in millions, except per share amounts and percentages):

Income from continuing operations
Non-operating pension costs
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs

Adjusted Income
Diluted EPS from continuing operations

Non-operating pension costs per diluted share
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs per diluted share

Adjusted EPS
Effective tax rate

Tax effect of non-operating pension costs

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

2017 Compared to 2016 

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Sales
Income before income taxes
Diluted EPS
Adjusted EPS

Sales

Year Ended September 30,
2016
$729.7
76.2
(27.5)
$778.4
$5.56
0.58
(0.21)
$5.93
22.6%
1.0%
23.6%

2015
$827.6
62.7
(21.9)
$868.4
$6.09
0.46
(0.15)
$6.40
26.6%
0.4%
27.0%

2017
$825.7
82.6
(29.6)
$878.7
$6.35
0.64
(0.23)
$6.76
20.4%
1.1%
21.5%

2017
$6,311.3
1,037.4
6.35
6.76

2016
$5,879.5
943.1
5.56
5.93

Change
$431.8
94.3
0.79
0.83

Sales in fiscal 2017 increased 7.3 percent compared to 2016. 
Organic sales increased 6.1 percent. Currency translation 
reduced sales by 0.3 percentage points, and acquisitions 
contributed 1.5 percentage points to sales growth. Pricing 
contributed less than one percentage point to growth.

The table below presents our sales, attributed to the 
geographic regions based upon country of destination, for 
the year ended September 30, 2017 and the percentage 
change from the same period a year ago (in millions, 
except percentages):

United States
Canada
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Total sales

Year Ended 
September 30, 2017
$3,458.4
343.4
1,193.7
866.4
449.4
$6,311.3

Change vs. 
Year Ended 
September 30, 2016
7.6%
8.5%
4.1%
13.3%
2.6%
7.3%

Change in Organic 
Sales(1) vs. 
Year Ended 
September 30, 2016
5.2%
7.7%
3.8%
13.9%
4.1%
6.1%

(1)  Organic sales are sales excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates and acquisitions. See Supplemental Sales Information for 

information on this non-GAAP measure.

• 

• 

• 

Sales in the United States increased year over year, led by 
strength in the automotive and consumer industries.

Sales in Canada grew, with growth led by the pulp and 
paper, consumer, and automotive industries.

EMEA sales increased compared to the prior year, with 
growth in both emerging and developed countries.

•  Asia Pacific sales increased year over year, with strong 
growth across the region, particularly within the 
semiconductor industry.

• 

Sales growth in Latin America was mixed with growth led 
by Mexico, partially offset by declines across the rest of 
the region. 

20  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

General Corporate - Net

General corporate - net expenses were $76.3 million in fiscal 
2017 compared to $79.7 million in fiscal 2016.

Income before Income Taxes

Income before income taxes increased 10 percent from 
$943.1 million in 2016 to $1,037.4 million in 2017, primarily 
due to the gain on sale of a business in the fourth quarter and 
an increase in segment operating earnings. Total segment 
operating earnings increased 4 percent year over year from 
$1,188.7 million in 2016 to $1,233.1 million in 2017, primarily 
due to higher sales, partially offset by higher incentive 
compensation and restructuring charges. In fiscal 2016, we 
did not incur expenses related to our primary annual incentive 

compensation plans, which are based on our company's 
performance. In fiscal 2017, we recorded approximately 
$115 million related to these plans.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate in 2017 was 20.4 percent compared to 22.6 
percent in 2016. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate in 2017 was 21.5 
percent compared to 23.6 percent in 2016. The decreases in the 
effective tax rate and the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate were primarily 
due to larger favorable discrete tax items in the current year.

See Note 14 in the Financial Statements for a complete 
reconciliation of the United States statutory tax rate to the 
effective tax rate and more information on tax events in 2017 
and 2016 affecting each year's respective tax rates.

Architecture & Software

(in millions, except percentages)
Sales
Segment operating earnings
Segment operating margin

2017
$2,899.3
781.5
27.0%

2016
$2,635.2
695.0
26.4%

Change
$264.1
86.5
0.6 pts

Sales

Operating Margin

Architecture & Software sales increased 10.0 percent in 2017 
compared to 2016. Organic sales increased 9.4 percent, the 
effects of currency translation reduced sales by 0.3 percentage 
points, and acquisitions contributed 0.9 percentage points 
to sales growth. Pricing contributed approximately one 
percentage point to growth during the year. All regions 
experienced reported and organic sales growth. The United 
States was the strongest performing region. Logix reported and 
organic sales increased 10 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. 

Control Products & Solutions

(in millions, except percentages)
Sales
Segment operating earnings
Segment operating margin

Sales

Control Products & Solutions sales increased 5.2 percent in 2017 
compared to 2016. Organic sales increased 3.4 percent, the 
effects of currency translation reduced sales by 0.2 percentage 
points, and acquisitions contributed 2.0 percentage points 
to sales growth. Pricing did not have a significant impact on 
growth during the year. All regions experienced reported and 
organic sales growth. The United States and Asia Pacific were 
the strongest performing regions.

Sales in our solutions and services businesses increased 
4 percent year over year. Organic sales in our solutions and 
services businesses increased 1 percent during 2017, and 
acquisitions contributed 3 percentage points to growth.

Architecture & Software segment operating earnings increased 
12 percent. Operating margin was 27.0 percent in 2017 
compared to 26.4 percent in 2016, primarily due to higher 
sales, partially offset by higher incentive compensation and 
restructuring charges. 

2017
$3,412.0
451.6
13.2%

2016
$3,244.3
493.7
15.2%

Change

$167.7
(42.1)
(2.0) pts

Product sales increased 6 percent year over year. Product 
organic sales increased 7 percent year over year in 2017, 
and currency translation reduced sales by approximately 
1 percentage point.

Operating Margin

Control Products & Solutions segment operating earnings 
decreased 9 percent year over year. Segment operating margin 
was 13.2 percent in 2017 compared to 15.2 percent a year 
ago, primarily due to higher incentive compensation and 
restructuring charges, partially offset by higher sales.

www.rockwellautomation.com  21

2016 Compared to 2015 

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Sales
Income before income taxes
Diluted EPS
Adjusted EPS

Sales

2016
$5,879.5
943.1
5.56
5.93

2015
$6,307.9
1,127.5
6.09
6.40

Change
$(428.4)
(184.4)
(0.53)
(0.47)

Sales in fiscal 2016 decreased 6.8 percent compared to 2015. 
Organic sales decreased 3.9 percent, and currency translation 
reduced sales by 3.0 percentage points. Pricing contributed less 
than one percentage point to growth.

The table below presents our sales, attributed to the 
geographic regions based upon country of destination, for 
the year ended September 30, 2016 and the percentage 
change from the same period a year ago (in millions, 
except percentages):

United States
Canada
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Total sales

Year Ended 
September 30, 2016
$3,213.4
316.4
1,147.2
764.4
438.1
$5,879.5

Change vs. 
Year Ended 
September 30, 2015
(6.8)%
(13.7)%
(2.3)%
(8.4)%
(9.9)%
(6.8)%

Change in Organic 
Sales(1) vs. 
Year Ended 
September 30, 2015
(6.9)%
(6.8)%
1.8%
(4.8)%
7.2%
(3.9)%

(1)  Organic sales are sales excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates and acquisitions. See Supplemental Sales Information for 

information on this non-GAAP measure.

• 

• 

• 

Sales in the United States declined year over year, mainly 
due to weakness in heavy industries, particularly oil 
and gas.

Sales in Canada decreased due to the unfavorable impact 
of currency translation as well as declines in heavy 
industries, particularly oil and gas.

EMEA sales decreased due to the unfavorable impact 
of currency translation. Organic sales increased in both 
mature Europe and emerging countries.

•  Asia Pacific sales declined due to the unfavorable impact of 
currency translation as well as a decrease in organic sales 
in China.

• 

Latin America sales decreased due to the unfavorable 
impact of currency translation. Organic sales growth in the 
region was led by Mexico.

General Corporate - Net

General corporate - net expenses were $79.7 million in fiscal 
2016 compared to $85.6 million in fiscal 2015.

Income before Income Taxes

Income before income taxes decreased 16 percent from 
$1,127.5 million in 2015 to $943.1 million in 2016, primarily due 
to a decrease in segment operating earnings. Total segment 
operating earnings decreased 13 percent year over year from 
$1,360.5 million in 2015 to $1,188.7 million in 2016, primarily 
due to lower organic sales and unfavorable currency effects.

22  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate in 2016 was 22.6 percent compared to 
26.6 percent in 2015. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate in 2016 
was 23.6 percent compared to 27.0 percent in 2015. The 
decreases in the effective tax rate and the Adjusted Effective 
Tax Rate were primarily due to an incremental benefit from 
the retroactive and permanent extension of the U.S. federal 

research and development tax credit (U.S. research tax credit) 
in the first quarter of 2016, a more favorable geographic mix of 
our pre-tax income and discrete tax items.

See Note 14 in the Financial Statements for a complete 
reconciliation of the United States statutory tax rate to the 
effective tax rate and more information on tax events in 2016 
and 2015 affecting each year’s respective tax rates.

Architecture & Software

(in millions, except percentages)
Sales
Segment operating earnings
Segment operating margin

Sales

Architecture & Software sales decreased 4.2 percent in 2016 
compared to 2015. Organic sales decreased 1.5 percent, the 
effects of currency translation reduced sales by 3.0 percentage 
points, and acquisitions contributed 0.3 percentage points 
to sales growth. Pricing contributed approximately one 
percentage point to growth during the year. All regions 
experienced a decline in sales during the year except EMEA. 
Excluding the impact of currency translation, growth in Latin 
America and EMEA was more than offset by decreases in the 

Control Products & Solutions

(in millions, except percentages)
Sales
Segment operating earnings
Segment operating margin

Sales

Control Products & Solutions sales decreased 8.8 percent in 
2016 compared to 2015. Organic sales decreased 5.8 percent, 
and currency translation reduced sales by 3.0 percentage 
points. Pricing contributed less than one percentage 
point to growth during the year. All regions experienced a 
year-over-year decrease in sales. Excluding the impact of 
currency translation, growth in Latin America was more than 
offset by declines in the remaining regions.

Sales in our solutions and services businesses decreased 
11 percent year over year. Organic sales in our solutions and 
services businesses decreased 8 percent during 2016, and 
currency translation reduced sales by 3 percentage points.

2016
$2,635.2
695.0
26.4%

2015
$2,749.5
808.6
29.4%

Change

$(114.3)
(113.6)

(3.0) pts

remaining regions. Logix sales decreased 7 percent in 2016 
compared to 2015. Logix organic sales decreased 4 percent 
year over year, and currency translation reduced sales 
by 3 percentage points.

Operating Margin

Architecture & Software segment operating earnings decreased 
14 percent. Operating margin was 26.4 percent in 2016 
compared to 29.4 percent in 2015, primarily due to unfavorable 
mix and currency effects as well as lower organic sales. 

2016
$3,244.3
493.7
15.2%

2015
$3,558.4
551.9
15.5%

Change

$(314.1)
(58.2)
(0.3) pts

Product sales decreased 5 percent year over year. Product 
organic sales decreased 2 percent year over year in 2016, and 
currency translation reduced sales by 3 percentage points.

Operating Margin

Control Products & Solutions segment operating earnings 
decreased 11 percent year over year. Segment operating 
margin was 15.2 percent in 2016 compared to 15.5 percent a 
year ago, primarily due to lower organic sales, partially offset 
by productivity.

www.rockwellautomation.com  23

Financial Condition

The following is a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flows (in millions):

Cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Cash (used for) provided by continuing operations

Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016

2017

$1,034.0
(516.7)
(649.6)
16.8
$(115.5)

$947.3
(440.0)
(397.7)
(10.5)
$99.1

$1,187.7
(246.9)
(608.1)
(96.7)
$236.0

The following table summarizes free cash flow (in millions), which is a non-GAAP financial measure:

Cash provided by continuing operating activities
Capital expenditures
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
Free cash flow

Our definition of free cash flow takes into consideration capital 
investments required to maintain our businesses’ operations 
and execute our strategy. Cash provided by continuing 
operating activities adds back non-cash depreciation expense 
to earnings but does not reflect a charge for necessary capital 
expenditures. Our definition of free cash flow excludes the 
operating cash flows and capital expenditures related to our 
discontinued operations, if any. Operating, investing and 
financing cash flows of our discontinued operations, if any, 
are presented separately in our statement of cash flows. In the 
first quarter of fiscal year 2017, we adopted a new share-based 
compensation accounting standard that requires the excess 
income tax benefit from share-based compensation to be 
classified as an operating, rather than as a financing, cash 
flow. In previous periods, we added this benefit back to our 
calculation of free cash flow in order to generally classify 
cash flows arising from income taxes as operating cash flows. 
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, no adjustment 
is necessary as this benefit is already included in operating 
cash flows. In our opinion, free cash flow provides useful 
information to investors regarding our ability to generate cash 
from business operations that is available for acquisitions and 
other investments, service of debt principal, dividends and 
share repurchases. We use free cash flow, as defined, as one 
measure to monitor and evaluate our performance, including 
as a financial measure for our annual incentive compensation. 
Our definition of free cash flow may differ from definitions used 
by other companies.

24  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Year Ended September 30,
2016
2015
$1,187.7
$947.3
(122.9)
(116.9)
12.4
3.3
$1,077.2
$833.7

2017
$1,034.0
(141.7)
—
$892.3

Cash provided by operating activities was $1,034.0 million 
for the year ended September 30, 2017 compared to 
$947.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2016. 
Free cash flow was $892.3 million for the year ended 
September 30, 2017 compared to $833.7 million for the year 
ended September 30, 2016. The year-over-year increases in 
cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow were 
primarily due to lower incentive compensation and income 
tax payments, partially offset by a voluntary contribution of 
$200.0 million to our U.S. qualified pension plan in 2017.

We repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares of our 
common stock under our share repurchase program in 2017 
at a total cost of $336.6 million. In 2016, we repurchased 
approximately 4.6 million shares of our common stock under 
our share repurchase program at a total cost of $500.2 million. 
At September 30, 2017 there were no outstanding common 
stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable. At 
September 30, 2016, there were $5.3 million of outstanding 
common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable 
that did not settle until 2017. Our decision to repurchase 
shares in 2018 will depend on business conditions, free cash 
flow generation, other cash requirements and stock price. 
On April 6, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized us to 
expend an additional $1.0 billion to repurchase shares of our 
common stock. At September 30, 2017 we had approximately 
$608.4 million remaining for share repurchases under our 
existing board authorization. See Part II, Item 5. Market for the 
Company’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters 
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, for additional 
information regarding share repurchases.

We expect future uses of cash to include working capital 
requirements, capital expenditures, additional contributions to 
our retirement plans, acquisitions of businesses, dividends to 
shareowners, repurchases of common stock and repayments 
of debt, including the current portion of long-term debt. We 
expect capital expenditures in 2018 to be about $160 million. 
We expect to fund the $250.0 million current portion of 
long term debt due December 2017 with the issuance of 
commercial paper. We expect to fund future uses of cash 
with a combination of existing cash balances and short-term 
investments, cash generated by operating activities, 
commercial paper borrowings or a new issuance of debt or 
other securities.

Given our extensive international operations, significant 
amounts of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term 
investments (funds) are held by non-U.S. subsidiaries where our 
undistributed earnings are indefinitely reinvested. Generally, 
these funds would be subject to U.S. tax if repatriated. As of 
September 30, 2017, substantially all of our funds were held 
by these non-U.S. subsidiaries. The percentage of these funds 
held by non-U.S. subsidiaries can vary from quarter to quarter 
although substantially all of our funds were held by these 
non-U.S. subsidiaries on average over the past eight quarters. 
We have not encountered and do not expect to encounter any 
difficulty meeting the liquidity requirements of our domestic 
and international operations.

In addition to cash generated by operating activities, we have 
access to existing financing sources, including the public debt 
markets and unsecured credit facilities with various banks. 
Our short-term debt obligations are primarily comprised of 
commercial paper borrowings. Commercial paper borrowings 
outstanding were $350.0 million at September 30, 2017, with 
a weighted average interest rate of 1.26 percent and weighted 
average maturity period of 10 days. Commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding were $448.6 million at September 30, 

2016, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.57 percent and 
weighted average maturity period of 35 days.

At September 30, 2017 and 2016, our total current borrowing 
capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility expiring 
in March 2020 was $1.0 billion. We can increase the aggregate 
amount of this credit facility by up to $350.0 million, subject 
to the consent of the banks in the credit facility. We have not 
borrowed against this credit facility during the years ended 
September 30, 2017 or 2016. In December 2016, we amended 
the financial covenant under this credit facility. The previous 
financial covenant, which limited our debt-to-total-capital ratio 
to 60 percent, was replaced with a minimum EBITDA-to-interest 
ratio of 3.0 to 1.0. The EBITDA-to-interest ratio is defined 
in the amendment as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA (as 
defined in the amendment) for the preceding four quarters to 
consolidated interest expense for the same period. We believe 
the new covenant provides us greater financial flexibility. 
Separate short-term unsecured credit facilities of approximately 
$128.4 million at September 30, 2017 were available to non-U.S. 
subsidiaries. Borrowings under our non-U.S. credit facilities 
at September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were not 
significant. We were in compliance with all covenants under 
our credit facilities at September 30, 2017 and September 30, 
2016. Additional information related to our credit facilities is 
included in Note 5 in the Financial Statements.

Among other uses, we can draw on our credit facility as a 
standby liquidity facility to repay our outstanding commercial 
paper as it matures. This access to funds to repay maturing 
commercial paper is an important factor in maintaining the 
short-term credit ratings set forth in the table below. Under 
our current policy with respect to these ratings, we expect to 
limit our other borrowings under our credit facility, if any, to 
amounts that would leave enough credit available under the 
facility so that we could borrow, if needed, to repay all of our 
then outstanding commercial paper as it matures.

The following is a summary of our credit ratings as of September 30, 2017:

Credit Rating Agency
Standard & Poor’s
Moody’s
Fitch Ratings

Short Term 
Rating

Long Term 
Rating

A-1
P-2
F1

A
A3
A

Outlook
Stable
Stable
Stable

Our ability to access the commercial paper market, and the 
related costs of these borrowings, is affected by the strength 
of our credit ratings and market conditions. We have not 
experienced any difficulty in accessing the commercial paper 
market to date. If our access to the commercial paper market 
is adversely affected due to a change in market conditions 
or otherwise, we would expect to rely on a combination of 
available cash and our unsecured committed credit facility 

to provide short-term funding. In such event, the cost of 
borrowings under our unsecured committed credit facility 
could be higher than the cost of commercial paper borrowings.

We regularly monitor the third-party depository institutions 
that hold our cash and cash equivalents and short-term 
investments. We diversify our cash and cash equivalents and 
short-term investments among counterparties to minimize 

www.rockwellautomation.com  25

exposure to any one of these entities. Our emphasis is 
primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and secondarily on 
maximizing yield on those funds.

We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to 
manage certain foreign currency risks. We enter into these 
contracts to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange 
rate variability in the expected future cash flows associated 
with certain third-party and intercompany transactions 
denominated in foreign currencies forecasted to occur within 
the next two years. We also use these contracts to hedge 
portions of our net investments in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries 
against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the 
translation of foreign currency balances to the U.S. dollar. In 
addition, we use foreign currency forward exchange contracts 
that are not designated as hedges to offset transaction gains 

or losses associated with some of our assets and liabilities 
resulting from intercompany loans or other transactions with 
third parties that are denominated in currencies other than our 
entities’ functional currencies. Our foreign currency forward 
exchange contracts are usually denominated in currencies of 
major industrial countries. We diversify our foreign currency 
forward exchange contracts among counterparties to minimize 
exposure to any one of these entities.

Cash dividends to shareowners were $390.7 million in 2017 
($3.04 per common share), $378.2 million in 2016 ($2.90 per 
common share) and $350.1 million in 2015 ($2.60 per common 
share). Our quarterly dividend rate as of September 30, 2017 is 
$0.76 per common share ($3.04 per common share annually), 
which is determined at the sole discretion of our Board 
of Directors.

A summary of our projected contractual cash obligations at September 30, 2017 is as follows (in millions):

Long-term debt and interest(a)
Minimum operating lease payments
Postretirement benefits(b)
Pension funding contribution(c)
Purchase obligations(d)
Other long-term liabilities(e)
Unrecognized tax benefits(f )

Total

Total
$2,969.3
285.0
77.8
53.8
48.2
83.0
35.1
3,552.2

2018
$314.6
73.3
9.7
53.8
22.2
11.0
—
484.6

Payments by Period
2021
2020
$51.4
$354.0
36.6
52.1
4.9
6.0
—
—
3.1
10.2
—
—
—
—
96.0
422.3

2019
$57.6
62.4
9.3
—
10.0
—
—
139.3

2022
$51.4
25.8
4.7
—
0.6
—
—
82.5

Thereafter
$2,140.3
34.8
43.2
—
2.1
—
—
2,220.4

(a)  The amounts for long-term debt assume that the respective debt instruments will be outstanding until their scheduled maturity dates. The 

amounts include interest but exclude the amounts to be paid or received under interest rate swap contracts, including the $4.6 million fair value 
adjustment recorded for the interest rate swap contracts at September 30, 2017 and the unamortized discount of $44.8 million at September 30, 
2017. The 2018 amount includes the $250.0 million 5.65% notes due in December 2017. See Note 5 in the Financial Statements for more 
information regarding our long-term debt.

(b)  Our postretirement benefit plans are unfunded and are subject to change. Amounts reported are estimates of future benefit payments, to the 

extent estimable.

(c)  Amounts reported for pension funding contributions reflect current estimates of known commitments. Contributions to our pension 

plans beyond 2018 will depend on future investment performance of our pension plan assets, changes in discount rate assumptions and 
governmental regulations in effect at the time. Amounts subsequent to 2018 are excluded from the summary above, as these amounts cannot 
be estimated with certainty. The minimum contribution for our U.S. pension plan as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
(ERISA) is currently zero. We may make additional contributions to this plan at the discretion of management.

(d)  This item includes contractual commitments for capital expenditures, certain materials purchases and long-term obligations under agreements 

with various service providers.

(e)  Other long-term liabilities include environmental remediation costs, conditional asset retirement obligations and indemnification liabilities, net 
of related receivables. Amounts subsequent to 2018 are excluded from the summary above, as we are unable to make a reasonably reliable 
estimate of when the liabilities will be paid.

(f )  Amount for unrecognized tax benefits includes accrued interest and penalties. We are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of when 

the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits will be settled or paid.

26  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Supplemental Sales Information

We translate sales of subsidiaries operating outside of the 
United States using exchange rates effective during the 
respective period. Therefore, changes in currency exchange 
rates affect our reported sales. Sales by acquired businesses 
also affect our reported sales. We believe that organic sales, 
defined as sales excluding the effects of changes in currency 
exchange rates and acquisitions, which is a non-GAAP financial 
measure, provides useful information to investors because it 
reflects regional and operating segment performance from 
the activities of our businesses without the effect of changes 
in currency exchange rates and acquisitions. We use organic 
sales as one measure to monitor and evaluate our regional 

and operating segment performance. We determine the effect 
of changes in currency exchange rates by translating the 
respective period’s sales using the same currency exchange 
rates that were in effect during the prior year. When we acquire 
businesses, we exclude sales in the current period for which 
there are no comparable sales in the prior period. When we 
divest a business, we exclude sales in the prior period for 
which there are no comparable sales in the current period. 
Organic sales growth is calculated by comparing organic sales 
to reported sales in the prior year, excluding divestitures. We 
attribute sales to the geographic regions based on the country 
of destination.

The following is a reconciliation of our reported sales by geographic region to organic sales (in millions):

Year Ended September 30, 2017
Sales 
Excluding 
Changes in 
Currency

Effect of 
Changes in 
Currency

Effect of 
Acquisitions

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2016

Organic 
Sales

Sales

$0.5

(2.5)

3.7

6.5

6.9

$3,458.9

340.9

1,197.4

872.9

456.3

$(77.9)

$3,381.0

(0.1)

(6.8)

(2.4)

(0.2)

340.8

1,190.6

870.5

456.1

$3,213.4

316.4

1,147.2

764.4

438.1

United States

Canada

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Sales

$3,458.4

343.4

1,193.7

866.4

449.4

Total Company Sales

$6,311.3

$15.1

$6,326.4

$(87.4)

$6,239.0

$5,879.5

Year Ended September 30, 2016
Sales 
Excluding 
Changes in 
Currency
$3,215.5
341.5
1,196.3
796.1
521.1
$6,070.5

Effect of 
Acquisitions
$(6.9)
—
(1.1)
(1.6)
—
$(9.6)

Effect of 
Changes in 
Currency
$2.1
25.1
49.1
31.7
83.0
$191.0

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2015

Organic 
Sales
$3,208.6
341.5
1,195.2
794.5
521.1
$6,060.9

Sales

$3,446.8
366.6
1,174.0
834.5
486.0
$6,307.9

United States
Canada
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Total Company Sales

Sales
$3,213.4
316.4
1,147.2
764.4
438.1
$5,879.5

www.rockwellautomation.com  27

The following is a reconciliation of our reported sales by operating segment to organic sales (in millions):

Year Ended September 30, 2017
Sales 
Excluding 
Changes in 
Currency
$2,906.4
3,420.0
$6,326.4

Effect of 
Changes in 
Currency
$7.1
8.0
$15.1

Effect of 
Acquisitions
$(22.5)
(64.9)
$(87.4)

Year Ended September 30, 2016
Sales 
Excluding 
Changes in 
Currency
$2,718.9
3,351.6
$6,070.5

Effect of 
Changes in 
Currency
$83.7
107.3
$191.0

Effect of 
Acquisitions
$(9.3)
(0.3)
$(9.6)

Organic 
Sales
$2,883.9
3,355.1
$6,239.0

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2016

Sales

$2,635.2
3,244.3
$5,879.5

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2015

Organic 
Sales
$2,709.6
3,351.3
$6,060.9

Sales

$2,749.5
3,558.4
$6,307.9

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Total Company Sales

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Total Company Sales

Sales
$2,899.3
3,412.0
$6,311.3

Sales
$2,635.2
3,244.3
$5,879.5

Critical Accounting Estimates

We believe the following accounting estimates are the most 
critical to the understanding of our financial statements as they 
could have the most significant effect on our reported results 
and require subjective or complex judgments by management. 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the 
consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses 
during the periods reported. These estimates are based on our 
best judgment about current and future conditions, but actual 
results could differ from those estimates. Refer to Note 1 in the 
Financial Statements for information regarding our significant 
accounting policies.

Retirement Benefits — Pension

Pension costs and obligations are actuarially determined 
and are influenced by assumptions used to estimate these 
amounts, including the discount rate and the expected rate of 
return on plan assets. Changes in any of the assumptions and 
the amortization of differences between the assumptions and 
actual experience will affect the amount of pension expense in 
future periods.

Our global pension expense in 2017 was $175.9 million 
compared to $161.3 million in 2016. Approximately 77 percent 
of our 2017 global pension expense relates to our U.S. pension 

plan. The actuarial assumptions used to determine our 2017 
U.S. pension expense included the following: discount rate of 
3.75 percent (compared to 4.55 percent for 2016) and expected 
rate of return on plan assets of 7.50 percent (compared to 
7.50 percent for 2016).

For 2018 our U.S. discount rate will increase to 3.90 percent 
from 3.75 percent in 2017. The discount rate was set as of our 
September 30 measurement date and was determined by 
modeling a portfolio of bonds that match the expected cash 
flow of our benefit plans.

For 2018 our expected rate of return on U.S. plan assets will 
remain 7.50 percent. In estimating the expected return on plan 
assets, we considered actual returns on plan assets over the 
long term, adjusted for forward-looking considerations, such 
as inflation, interest rates, equity performance and the active 
management of the plan’s invested assets. We also considered 
our current and expected mix of plan assets in setting this 
assumption. The financial markets produced positive returns 
in 2017. The plan’s debt securities return was positive. The 
plan’s equity securities return was above the expected return 
range in 2017, as U.S. and international equity returns were 
positive for the year. The actual return for our portfolio of 
U.S. plan assets was approximately 8.95 percent annualized 
for the 15 years ended September 30, 2017, and was 
approximately 7.45 percent annualized for the 20 years ended 
September 30, 2017.

28  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The target allocations and ranges of long-term expected return 
for our major categories of U.S. plan assets are as follows:

Asset Category

Equity securities

Debt securities

Other

Target 
Allocations

Expected Return

55%

40%

5%

9% – 10%

4% – 6%

6% – 11%

The changes in our discount rate and return on plan assets 
have an inverse relationship with our net periodic benefit cost. 
The change in our discount rate also has an inverse relationship 
with our projected benefit obligation.

The following chart illustrates the estimated change in 
projected benefit obligation and annual net periodic 
benefit cost assuming a change of 25 basis points in the key 
assumptions for our U.S. pension plans (in millions):

Pension Benefits

Change in 
Projected 
Benefit 
Obligation

Change in 
Net Periodic 
Benefit 
Cost(1)

$130.4

—

$12.7

6.7

Discount rate

Return on plan assets

More information regarding our revenue recognition and 
returns, rebates and incentives policies are contained in Note 1 
in the Financial Statements.

Income Taxes — Undistributed 
Earnings

Our annual tax rate depends on the extent earnings are 
indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Indefinite reinvestment 
is determined by management’s judgment about and 
intentions concerning the future operations of the Company. 
We have not provided U.S. deferred taxes for $3,526.0 million 
of undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, 
since these earnings have been determined to be indefinitely 
reinvested outside the U.S. and thus are not subject to 
U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. It is not 
practicable to estimate the amount of additional taxes that may 
be payable upon distribution of these earnings.

More information regarding income taxes is contained in 
Note 14 in the Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting 
Pronouncements

(1)  Change includes both operating and non-operating pension costs.

More information regarding pension benefits is contained in 
Note 12 in the Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition — Customer 
Incentives

We offer various incentive programs that provide distributors 
and direct sale customers with cash rebates, account credits or 
additional products, solutions and services based on meeting 
specified program criteria. Customer incentives are recognized 
as a reduction of sales if distributed in cash or customer 
account credits. Customer incentives are recognized in cost 
of sales for additional products, solutions and services to be 
provided. We record accruals at the time of revenue recognition 
as a current liability within Customer returns, rebates and 
incentives in our Consolidated Balance Sheet or, where a right 
of setoff exists, as a reduction of Receivables.

See Note 1 in the Financial Statements regarding recent 
accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and 
Qualitative Disclosures About 
Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk during the normal course of 
business from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and 
interest rates. We manage exposure to these risks through a 
combination of normal operating and financing activities as 
well as derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts. We sometimes use 
interest rate swap contracts to manage the balance of fixed 
and floating rate debt.

Foreign Currency Risk

Our primary incentive program provides distributors with cash 
rebates or account credits based on agreed amounts that vary 
depending on the customer to whom our distributor ultimately 
sells the product. A critical assumption used in estimating the 
accrual for this program is the time period from when revenue 
is recognized to when the rebate is processed. Our estimate is 
based primarily on historical experience. If the time period were 
to change by 10 percent, the effect would be an adjustment to 
the accrual of approximately $9.7 million.

We are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from normal 
business operations. These risks include the translation of local 
currency balances of foreign subsidiaries, transaction gains 
and losses associated with intercompany loans with foreign 
subsidiaries and transactions denominated in currencies 
other than a location’s functional currency. Our objective is to 
minimize our exposure to these risks through a combination 
of normal operating activities and the use of foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts. Contracts are usually 

www.rockwellautomation.com  29

denominated in currencies of major industrial countries. The 
fair value of our foreign currency forward exchange contracts 
is an asset of $13.5 million and a liability of $36.4 million at 
September 30, 2017. We enter into these contracts with major 
financial institutions that we believe to be creditworthy.

We do not enter into derivative financial instruments 
for speculative purposes. In 2017 and 2016, the relative 
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies had 
an unfavorable impact on our sales and results of operations. 
While future changes in foreign currency exchange rates are 
difficult to predict, our sales and profitability may be adversely 
affected if the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to 2017 levels.

Certain of our locations have assets and liabilities denominated 
in currencies other than their functional currencies. We enter 
into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the 
transaction gains or losses associated with some of these assets 
and liabilities. For such assets and liabilities without offsetting 
foreign currency forward exchange contracts, a 10 percent 
adverse change in the underlying foreign currency exchange 
rates would reduce our pre-tax income by approximately 
$21.4 million.

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value 
regardless of the purpose for holding them. The use of foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts allows us to manage 
transactional exposure to exchange rate fluctuations as the 
gains or losses incurred on these contracts will offset, in whole 
or in part, losses or gains on the underlying foreign currency 
exposure. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges 
for accounting purposes are adjusted to fair value through 
earnings. For derivatives that are hedges, depending on the 
nature of the hedge, changes in fair value are either offset by 
changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or 
firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other 
comprehensive loss until the hedged item is recognized in 
earnings. We recognize the ineffective portion of a derivative’s 
change in fair value in earnings immediately. There was no 
impact on earnings due to ineffective hedges in 2017 or 2016. 
A hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in underlying 
foreign currency exchange rates associated with the hedged 
exposures and related contracts would not be significant to our 
financial condition or results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk

In addition to existing cash balances and cash provided by 
normal operating activities, we use a combination of short-term 
and long-term debt to finance operations. We are exposed to 
interest rate risk on certain of these debt obligations.

Our short-term debt obligations are primarily comprised of 
commercial paper borrowings. Commercial paper borrowings 
outstanding were $350.0 million at September 30, 2017, with 
a weighted average interest rate of 1.26 percent and weighted 
average maturity period of 10 days. Commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding were $448.6 million at September 30, 
2016, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.57 percent 
and weighted average maturity period of 35 days. We have 
issued, and anticipate continuing to issue, additional short-term 
commercial paper obligations as needed. Changes in market 
interest rates on commercial paper borrowings affect our 
results of operations. A hypothetical 50 basis point increase 
in average market interest rates related to our short-term 
debt would not be significant to our results of operations or 
financial condition.

We had outstanding fixed rate long-term debt obligations 
with a carrying value of $1,243.4 million at September 30, 
2017 and $1,516.3 million at September 30, 2016. The fair 
value of this debt was $1,452.6 million at September 30, 2017 
and $1,780.5 million at September 30, 2016. The potential 
reduction in fair value on such fixed-rate debt obligations 
from a hypothetical 50 basis point increase in market interest 
rates would not be significant to the overall fair value of our 
long-term debt. We currently have no plans to repurchase our 
outstanding fixed-rate instruments before their maturity and, 
therefore, fluctuations in market interest rates would not have 
an effect on our results of operations or shareowners’ equity.

In February 2015, we entered into interest rate swap contracts, 
which we designated as fair value hedges. These interest rate 
swaps effectively converted the $600.0 million aggregate 
principal amount of our 2.050 percent notes payable in 
March 2020 (2020 Notes) and 2.875 percent notes payable 
in March 2025 (2025 Notes) to floating rate debt, each at a 
rate based on three-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread. The 
effective floating interest rates were 1.755 percent for the 2020 
Notes and 2.165 percent for the 2025 Notes at September 30, 
2017. The fair value of our interest rate swap contracts at 
September 30, 2017 was a net unrealized loss of $4.6 million. A 
hypothetical 50 basis point increase in average market interest 
rates related to our interest rate swaps would not be significant 
to our results of operations or financial condition.

30  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in millions, except per share amounts)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Receivables
Inventories
Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, net
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Deferred income taxes
Other assets

Total

Current liabilities:

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

Short-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Compensation and benefits
Advance payments from customers and deferred revenue
Customer returns, rebates and incentives
Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt
Retirement benefits
Other liabilities
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 15)
Shareowners’ equity:

Common stock ($1.00 par value, shares issued: 181.4)
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Common stock in treasury, at cost (shares held: 2017, 53.0; 2016, 52.9)

Total shareowners’ equity

Total

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

September 30,
2017

2016

$1,410.9
1,124.6
1,135.5
558.7
191.0
4,420.7
583.9
1,077.7
238.0
443.6
397.8
$7,161.7

$350.4
250.0
623.2
272.6
240.6
188.8
220.2
2,145.8
1,243.4
892.5
216.4

$1,526.4
902.8
1,079.0
526.6
150.2
4,185.0
578.3
1,073.9
255.3
633.9
374.8
$7,101.2

$448.6
—
543.1
145.6
214.5
176.5
447.6
1,975.9
1,516.3
1,430.2
188.7

181.4
1,638.0
6,103.4
(1,179.2)
(4,080.0)
2,663.6
$7,161.7

181.4
1,588.2
5,668.4
(1,538.8)
(3,909.1)
1,990.1
$7,101.2

www.rockwellautomation.com  31

Consolidated Statement of Operations
(in millions, except per share amounts)

Sales

Products and solutions
Services

Cost of sales

Products and solutions
Services

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other income (expense) (Note 13)
Interest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax provision (Note 14)
Net income
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average outstanding shares:
Basic
Diluted

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Year Ended September 30,
2016
2017

2015

$5,628.9
682.4
6,311.3

$5,239.3
640.2
5,879.5

$5,652.2
655.7
6,307.9

(3,254.3)
(432.8)
(3,687.1)
2,624.2
(1,591.5)
80.9
(76.2)
1,037.4
(211.7)
$825.7

$6.42
$6.35

128.4
129.9

(2,982.1)
(421.9)
(3,404.0)
2,475.5
(1,467.4)
6.3
(71.3)
943.1
(213.4)
$729.7

$5.60
$5.56

130.2
131.1

(3,157.2)
(447.6)
(3,604.8)
2,703.1
(1,506.4)
(5.5)
(63.7)
1,127.5
(299.9)
$827.6

$6.15
$6.09

134.5
135.7

32  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss):

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan adjustments (net of tax expense (benefit) 
of $159.3, ($73.7) and ($106.6))
Currency translation adjustments
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges (net of tax (benefit) 
expense of ($2.8), ($6.7) and $4.5)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments

Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Year Ended September 30,
2016
2017
$729.7
$825.7

2015
$827.6

312.8
57.2

(142.7)
(42.5)

(187.7 )
(199.9 )

(10.3)
(0.1)
359.6
$1,185.3

(19.0)
—
(204.2)
$525.5

1.0
—
(386.6 )
$441.0

www.rockwellautomation.com  33

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in millions)

Operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to arrive at cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation
Amortization of intangible assets
Share-based compensation expense
Retirement benefit expense
Pension contributions
Deferred income taxes
Gain on sale of business
Net loss (gain) on disposition of property
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and foreign 
currency adjustments:

Receivables
Inventories
Accounts payable
Advance payments from customers and deferred revenue
Compensation and benefits
Income taxes
Other assets and liabilities

Cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Purchases of investments
Proceeds from maturities of investments
Proceeds from sale of investments
Proceeds from sale of business
Proceeds from sale of property

Cash used for investing activities

Financing activities:
Net (repayment) issuance of short-term debt
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs
Cash dividends
Purchases of treasury stock
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
Other financing activities

Cash used for financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

34  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Year Ended September 30,
2016

2015

2017

$825.7

$729.7

$827.6

138.7
30.2
38.5
176.0
(254.9)
33.8
(60.8)
0.1
—

(53.0)
(30.4)
81.1
21.3
124.7
(22.2)
(14.8)
1,034.0

(141.7)
(1.1)
(1,444.2)
912.6
62.6
94.0
1.1
(516.7)

(98.2)
—
(390.7)
(342.6)
181.9
—
—
(649.6)
16.8
(115.5)
1,526.4
$1,410.9

143.3
28.9
40.5
157.1
(44.3)
(70.5)
—
1.7
(3.3)

(18.9)
4.6
32.3
11.7
(81.1)
(8.9)
24.5
947.3

(116.9)
(139.1)
(1,070.7)
886.3
—
—
0.4
(440.0)

448.6
—
(378.2)
(507.6)
36.2
3.3
—
(397.7)
(10.5)
99.1
1,427.3
$1,526.4

133.1
29.4
41.5
141.3
(41.0)
(29.3)
—
(0.1)
(12.4)

73.4
(2.5)
17.3
20.7
(33.9)
27.3
(4.7)
1,187.7

(122.9)
(21.2)
(867.6)
762.7
—
—
2.1
(246.9)

(325.0)
594.3
(350.1)
(598.4)
60.3
12.4
(1.6)
(608.1)
(96.7)
236.0
1,191.3
$1,427.3

Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity
(in millions, except per share amounts)

Common stock (no shares issued during years)
Additional paid-in capital
Beginning balance
Income tax benefit from share-based compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Shares delivered under incentive plans
Ending balance
Retained earnings
Beginning balance
Net income
Cash dividends (2017, $3.04 per share; 2016, $2.90 per share; 2015, $2.60 per share)
Shares delivered under incentive plans
Ending balance
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Ending balance
Common stock in treasury, at cost
Beginning balance
Purchases
Shares delivered under incentive plans
Ending balance
Total shareowners’ equity

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Year Ended September 30,
2016
$181.4

2017
$181.4

2015
$181.4

1,588.2
—
37.4
12.4
1,638.0

5,668.4
825.7
(390.7)
—
6,103.4

(1,538.8)
359.6
(1,179.2)

(3,909.1)
(337.3)
166.4
(4,080.0)
$2,663.6

1,552.1
3.3
39.5
(6.7)
1,588.2

5,316.9
729.7
(378.2)
—
5,668.4

(1,334.6)
(204.2)
(1,538.8)

(3,459.0)
(500.4)
50.3
(3,909.1)
$1,990.1

1,512.3
12.4
40.7
(13.3)
1,552.1

4,839.6
827.6
(350.1)
(0.2)
5,316.9

(948.0)
(386.6)
(1,334.6)

(2,927.2)
(606.4)
74.6
(3,459.0)
$2,256.8

www.rockwellautomation.com  35

Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements

All service sales recorded in the Consolidated Statement 
of Operations are associated with our Control Products & 
Solutions segment.

1. Basis of Presentation and 
Accounting Policies

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (“Rockwell Automation” or “the 
Company”), a leader in industrial automation and information, 
makes its customers more productive and the world 
more sustainable.

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in 
the United States (U.S. GAAP).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements 
include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned 
and controlled majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany 
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in 
consolidation. Investments in affiliates over which we do not 
have control but exercise significant influence are accounted 
for using the equity method of accounting. These affiliated 
companies are not material individually or in the aggregate to 
our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements 
and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual 
results could differ from those estimates. We use estimates in 
accounting for, among other items, customer returns, rebates 
and incentives; allowance for doubtful accounts; excess and 
obsolete inventory; share-based compensation; acquisitions; 
product warranty obligations; retirement benefits; litigation, 
claims and contingencies, including environmental matters, 
conditional asset retirement obligations and contractual 
indemnifications; and income taxes. We account for changes to 
estimates and assumptions prospectively when warranted by 
factually-based experience.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and 
earned. Product and solution sales consist of industrial 
automation and information solutions; hardware and software 
products; and custom-engineered systems. Service sales 
include multi-vendor customer technical support and repair, 
asset management and optimization consulting and training. 

36  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

For approximately 85 percent of our consolidated sales, we 
record sales when all of the following have occurred: persuasive 
evidence of a sales agreement exists; pricing is fixed or 
determinable; collection is reasonably assured; and products 
have been delivered and acceptance has occurred, as may be 
required according to contract terms, or services have been 
rendered. Within this category, we will at times enter into 
arrangements that involve the delivery of multiple products 
and/or the performance of services, such as installation and 
commissioning. The timing of delivery, though varied based 
upon the nature of the undelivered component, is generally 
short-term in nature. For these arrangements, revenue is 
allocated to each deliverable based on that element’s relative 
selling price, provided the delivered element has value to 
customers on a standalone basis and, if the arrangement 
includes a general right of return, delivery or performance 
of the undelivered items is probable and substantially in our 
control. Relative selling price is obtained from sources such 
as vendor-specific objective evidence, which is based on 
our separate selling price for that or a similar item, or from 
third-party evidence such as how competitors have priced 
similar items. If such evidence is not available, we use our best 
estimate of the selling price, which includes various internal 
factors such as our pricing strategy and market factors.

We recognize substantially all of the remainder of our 
sales as construction-type contracts using either the 
percentage-of-completion or completed contract methods of 
accounting. We record sales relating to these contracts using 
the percentage-of-completion method when we determine 
that progress toward completion is reasonably and reliably 
estimable; we use the completed contract method for all 
others. Under the percentage-of-completion method, we 
recognize sales and gross profit as work is performed using the 
relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated 
costs at completion. Under the percentage-of-completion 
method, we adjust sales and gross profit for revisions of 
estimated total contract costs or revenue in the period the 
change is identified. We record estimated losses on contracts 
when they are identified.

We use contracts and customer purchase orders to determine 
the existence of a sales agreement. We use shipping 
documents and customer acceptance, when applicable, 
to verify delivery. We assess whether the fee is fixed or 
determinable based on the payment terms associated with 
the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to 
refund or adjustment. We assess collectibility based on 
the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by 
credit evaluations and analysis, as well as the customer’s 
payment history.

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included 
in sales and the related costs are included in cost of sales in the 
Consolidated Statement of Operations.

stated net of an allowance for certain customer returns, rebates 
and incentives of $11.9 million at September 30, 2017 and 
$7.9 million at September 30, 2016.

Returns, Rebates and Incentives

Inventories

Our primary incentive program provides distributors with cash 
rebates or account credits based on agreed amounts that vary 
depending on the customer to whom our distributor ultimately 
sells the product. We also offer various other incentive 
programs that provide distributors and direct sale customers 
with cash rebates, account credits or additional products, 
solutions and services based on meeting specified program 
criteria. Certain distributors are offered a right to return product, 
subject to contractual limitations.

We record accruals for customer returns, rebates and incentives 
at the time of revenue recognition based primarily on historical 
experience. Returns, rebates and incentives are recognized 
as a reduction of sales if distributed in cash or customer 
account credits. Rebates and incentives are recognized in 
cost of sales for additional products, solutions and services to 
be provided. Accruals are reported as a current liability in our 
balance sheet or, where a right of setoff exists, as a reduction of 
accounts receivable.

Taxes on Revenue Producing Transactions

Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue 
producing transactions, including sales, value added, excise and 
use taxes, are recorded on a net basis (excluded from revenue).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits, certificates 
of deposit, and other fixed income securities with original 
maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments include time deposits, certificates 
of deposit and other fixed income securities with original 
maturities longer than three months at the time of purchase 
and less than one year from period end. All investments 
meeting the definition of a security are accounted for as 
available-for-sale and stated at fair value. All other investments 
are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Receivables

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on 
customer-specific analysis and general matters such as 
current assessments of past due balances and economic 
conditions. Receivables are stated net of an allowance for 
doubtful accounts of $24.9 million at September 30, 2017 and 
$24.5 million at September 30, 2016. In addition, receivables are 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using 
the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. Market is 
determined on the basis of estimated realizable values.

Property

Property, including internal-use software, is stated at cost. 
We calculate depreciation of property using the straight-line 
method over 5 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, 3 
to 20 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 8 years for 
computer hardware and internal-use software. We capitalize 
significant renewals and enhancements and write off replaced 
units. We expense maintenance and repairs, as well as renewals 
of minor amounts. Property acquired during the year that is 
accrued within accounts payable or other current liabilities 
at year end is considered to be a non-cash investing activity 
and is excluded from cash used for capital expenditures in the 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Capital expenditures 
of $29.6 million, $29.9 million and $27.3 million were accrued 
within accounts payable and other current liabilities at 
September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets generally result from 
business acquisitions. We account for business acquisitions by 
allocating the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values; the excess 
of the purchase price over the allocated amount is recorded 
as goodwill.

We review goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite 
useful lives for impairment annually or more frequently if events 
or circumstances indicate impairment may be present. Any 
excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged 
to results of operations. We perform our annual impairment 
test during the second quarter of our fiscal year.

We amortize certain customer relationships on an accelerated 
basis over the period of which we expect the intangible asset 
to generate future cash flows. We amortize all other intangible 
assets with finite useful lives on a straight-line basis over their 
estimated useful lives. Useful lives assigned range from 3 to 15 
years for trademarks, 8 to 20 years for customer relationships, 
5 to 17 years for technology and 5 to 30 years for other 
intangible assets.

Intangible assets also include costs of software developed 
or purchased by our software business to be sold, leased or 
otherwise marketed. Amortization of these computer software 

www.rockwellautomation.com  37

products is calculated on a product-by-product basis as the 
greater of (a) the unamortized cost at the beginning of the year 
times the ratio of the current year gross revenue for a product 
to the total of the current and anticipated future gross revenue 
for that product or (b) the straight-line amortization over the 
remaining estimated economic life of the product.

the end of the respective period. We translate sales, costs 
and expenses at average exchange rates effective during 
the respective period. We report foreign currency translation 
adjustments as a component of other comprehensive income 
(loss). Currency transaction gains and losses are included in 
results of operations in the period incurred.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Research and Development Expenses

We evaluate the recoverability of the recorded amount of 
long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the recorded amount of an asset may not be fully 
recoverable. Impairment is assessed when the undiscounted 
expected future cash flows derived from an asset are less than 
its carrying amount. If we determine that an asset is impaired, 
we measure the impairment to be recognized as the amount 
by which the recorded amount of the asset exceeds its fair 
value. We report assets to be disposed of at the lower of the 
recorded amount or fair value less cost to sell. We determine 
fair value using a discounted future cash flow analysis.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts to manage certain 
foreign currency risks. We enter into these contracts to hedge 
our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate variability 
in the expected future cash flows associated with certain 
third-party and intercompany transactions denominated in 
foreign currencies forecasted to occur within the next two 
years. We also use these contracts to hedge portions of our 
net investments in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries against the 
effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of 
foreign currency balances to the U.S. dollar. Additionally, we use 
derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swap 
contracts to manage our borrowing costs of certain long-term 
debt. We designate and account for these derivative financial 
instruments as hedges under U.S. GAAP.

Furthermore, we use foreign currency forward exchange 
contracts that are not designated as hedges to offset 
transaction gains or losses associated with some of our 
assets and liabilities resulting from intercompany loans or 
other transactions with third parties that are denominated in 
currencies other than our entities’ functional currencies. It is 
our policy to execute such instruments with global financial 
institutions that we believe to be creditworthy and not to enter 
into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. 
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts are usually 
denominated in currencies of major industrial countries.

Foreign Currency Translation

We translate assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating 
outside of the United States with a functional currency other 
than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at 

38  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

We expense research and development (R&D) costs as incurred; 
these costs were $348.2 million in 2017, $319.3 million in 2016 
and $307.3 million in 2015. We include R&D expenses in cost of 
sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Income Taxes

We account for uncertain tax positions by determining whether 
it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained 
upon examination based on the technical merits of the 
position. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not 
recognition threshold, we determine the amount of benefit 
to recognize in the consolidated financial statements based 
on our assertion of the most likely outcome resulting from an 
examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or 
litigation processes.

Earnings Per Share

We present basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) 
amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing earnings available 
to common shareowners, which is income excluding the 
allocation to participating securities, by the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the year, 
excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted EPS amounts 
are based upon the weighted average number of common 
and common-equivalent shares outstanding during the year. 
We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of 
outstanding share-based compensation awards, which requires 
us to compute total employee proceeds as the sum of the 
amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award 
and the amount of unearned share-based compensation 
costs attributed to future services. Share-based compensation 
awards for which the total employee proceeds of the award 
exceed the average market price of the same award over the 
period have an antidilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, we 
exclude them from the calculation. Antidilutive share-based 
compensation awards for the years ended September 30, 
2017 (0.7 million shares), 2016 (2.2 million shares) and 2015 
(1.4 million shares) were excluded from the diluted EPS 
calculation. U.S. GAAP requires unvested share-based payment 
awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or 
dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, to be treated 
as participating securities and included in the computation 
of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Our 
participating securities are composed of unvested restricted 
stock and non-employee director restricted stock units.

The following table reconciles basic and diluted EPS amounts (in millions, except per share amounts):

Net income
Less: Allocation to participating securities
Net income available to common shareowners
Basic weighted average outstanding shares
Effect of dilutive securities

Stock options
Performance shares

Diluted weighted average outstanding shares
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize share-based compensation expense for equity 
awards on a straight-line basis over the service period of the 
award based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date.

Product and Workers’ Compensation Liabilities

We record accruals for product and workers’ compensation 
claims in the period in which they are probable and reasonably 
estimable. Our principal self-insurance programs include 
product liability and workers’ compensation where we 
self-insure up to a specified dollar amount. Claims exceeding 
this amount up to specified limits are covered by insurance 
policies purchased from commercial insurers. We estimate the 
liability for the majority of the self-insured claims using our 
claims experience for the periods being valued.

Environmental Matters

We record liabilities for environmental matters in the period 
in which our responsibility is probable and the costs can be 
reasonably estimated. We make changes to the liabilities in the 
periods in which the estimated costs of remediation change. 
At third-party environmental sites where more than one 
potentially responsible party has been identified, we record 
a liability for our estimated allocable share of costs related 
to our involvement with the site, as well as an estimated 
allocable share of costs related to the involvement of insolvent 
or unidentified parties. If we determine that recovery from 
insurers or other third parties is probable and a right of setoff 
exists, we record the liability net of the estimated recovery. 
If we determine that recovery from insurers or other third 
parties is probable but a right of setoff does not exist, we 
record a liability for the total estimated costs of remediation 
and a receivable for the estimated recovery. At environmental 

2017
$825.7
(0.9)
$824.8
128.4

1.2
0.3
129.9

2016
$729.7
(0.7)
$729.0
130.2

0.9
—
131.1

2015
$827.6
(0.7)
$826.9
134.5

1.1
0.1
135.7

$ 6.42
$ 6.35

$ 5.60
$ 5.56

$ 6.15
$ 6.09

sites where we are the sole responsible party, we record a 
liability for the total estimated costs of remediation. Ongoing 
operating and maintenance expenditures included in our 
environmental remediation obligations are discounted to 
present value over the probable future remediation period. 
Our remaining environmental remediation obligations are 
undiscounted due to subjectivity of timing and/or amount of 
future cash payments.

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

We record liabilities for costs related to legal obligations 
associated with the retirement of a tangible, long-lived asset 
that results from the acquisition, construction, development 
or the normal operation of the long-lived asset. The obligation 
to perform the asset retirement activity is not conditional even 
though the timing or method may be conditional.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the FASB issued a new standard regarding 
the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement 
benefit costs. This standard requires the service cost 
component to be reported in the income statement in the 
same line item as other compensation costs arising from 
services rendered by the related employees during the period. 
The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required 
to be presented separately from the service cost component 
in either a separate line item or within another appropriate line 
item with disclosure of where those costs are recorded. This 
standard also requires that only the service cost component 
is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This standard is 
effective for us for reporting periods starting October 1, 2018. 
We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this 
standard will have on our consolidated financial statements 
and related disclosures.

www.rockwellautomation.com  39

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) 
issued a new standard on share-based compensation. This 
requirement is effective for us no later than October 1, 2017; 
however, we elected to adopt earlier as of October 1, 2016. 
This standard requires entities to record the excess income 
tax benefit or deficiency from share-based compensation 
within the income tax provision rather than within additional 
paid-in capital. This change reduced our income tax provision 
by $29.0 million in the year ended September 30, 2017. The 
standard also requires this benefit or deficiency to be classified 
as an operating cash flow rather than as a financing cash flow. 
The requirement to record the benefit or deficiency within the 
income tax provision is effective on a prospective basis. We 
have elected to adopt the cash flow presentation requirement 
on a prospective basis. Our adoption of all other requirements 
under the new standard did not have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard on 
accounting for leases that requires lessees to recognize 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for most leases, among 
other changes to existing lease accounting guidance. The new 
standard also requires additional qualitative and quantitative 
disclosures about leasing activities. This standard is effective 
for us for reporting periods beginning October 1, 2019. We are 
currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard 

2. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

will have on our consolidated financial statements and 
related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard on revenue 
recognition related to contracts with customers. This standard 
supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance 
and involves a five-step principles-based approach to 
recognizing revenue. The underlying principle is to recognize 
revenue when promised goods or services are transferred 
to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration 
that is expected to be received for those goods or services. 
The new standard will also require additional qualitative and 
quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, 
significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, 
and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a 
contract. We will adopt this new standard under the modified 
retrospective method in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with the 
cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized 
in retained earnings at the adoption date. We have established 
a project plan and a cross-functional implementation team to 
adopt the new standard. We are in the process of identifying 
and implementing necessary changes to accounting policies, 
processes, controls and systems to enable compliance with 
this new standard. We continue to evaluate the impact the 
adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated 
financial statements and related disclosures.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were (in millions):

Balance as of September 30, 2015
Acquisition of businesses
Translation
Balance as of September 30, 2016
Acquisition of business
Divestiture of business (Note 13)
Translation
Balance as of September 30, 2017

Architecture & 
Software

$388.0
35.0
(8.5)
414.5
—
—
2.7
$417.2

Control 
Products & 
Solutions
$640.8
37.7
(19.1)
659.4
0.8
(10.3)
10.6
$660.5

Total
$1,028.8
72.7
(27.6)
1,073.9
0.8
(10.3)
13.3
$1,077.7

During the year ended September 30, 2016, we recognized 
goodwill of $72.7 million and other intangible assets of 
$57.5 million resulting from three acquisitions. In March 2016, 
we acquired MagneMotion Inc., a manufacturer of intelligent 
conveying systems. In September 2016, we acquired 
Automation Control Products (ACP), a provider of centralized 

thin client, remote desktop and server management software, 
and Maverick Technologies (Maverick), a systems integrator. We 
assigned the full amount of goodwill related to MagneMotion 
Inc. and ACP to our Architecture & Software segment and the 
full amount of goodwill related to Maverick to our Control 
Products & Solutions segment.

40  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Other intangible assets consist of (in millions):

Amortized intangible assets:

Computer software products
Customer relationships
Technology
Trademarks
Other
Total amortized intangible assets

Allen-Bradley® trademark not subject to amortization
Total

Amortized intangible assets:

Computer software products
Customer relationships
Technology
Trademarks
Other
Total amortized intangible assets

Allen-Bradley® trademark not subject to amortization
Total

September 30, 2017

Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

$194.8
114.5
104.8
32.3
11.4
457.8
43.7
$501.5

$113.2
61.5
57.9
21.1
9.8
263.5
—
$263.5

September 30, 2016

Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

$182.4
112.6
103.9
31.4
11.0
441.3
43.7
$485.0

$103.4
51.9
48.5
17.0
8.9
229.7
—
$229.7

Net

$81.6
53.0
46.9
11.2
1.6
194.3
43.7
$238.0

Net

$79.0
60.7
55.4
14.4
2.1
211.6
43.7
$255.3

Computer software products represent costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed. Computer software 
products amortization expense was $9.8 million in 2017, $11.5 million in 2016 and $9.4 million in 2015.

Estimated amortization expense is $27.5 million in 2018, $24.5 million in 2019, $21.4 million in 2020, $20.6 million in 2021 and 
$18.7 million in 2022.

We performed our annual evaluation of goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets for impairment as required by U.S. GAAP 
during the second quarter of 2017 and concluded that these assets are not impaired.

3. Inventories

4. Property, net

Inventories consist of (in millions):

Property consists of (in millions):

Finished goods
Work in process
Raw materials
Inventories

September 30,
2016
2017
$215.8
$218.7
158.0
168.0
152.8
172.0
$526.6
$558.7

Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Internal-use software
Construction in progress

Total

Less accumulated depreciation
Property, net

September 30,

2017

$5.2
351.6
1,145.8
461.5
131.7
2,095.8
(1,511.9)
$583.9

2016

$4.5
333.7
1,085.1
451.1
108.4
1,982.8
(1,404.5)
$578.3

www.rockwellautomation.com  41

5. Long-term and Short-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of (in millions):

5.65% notes, payable in December 2017
2.050% notes, payable in March 2020
2.875% notes, payable in March 2025
6.70% debentures, payable in 
January 2028
6.25% debentures, payable in 
December 2037
5.20% debentures, payable in 
January 2098
Unamortized discount and other

Total

Less current portion
Long-term debt

September 30,
2016
2017
$250.0
$250.0
305.1
298.7
314.4
296.7

250.0

250.0

250.0

250.0

200.0
(52.0)
1,493.4
(250.0)
$1,243.4

200.0
(53.2)
1,516.3
—
$1,516.3

In February 2015, upon issuance of our notes payable in 
March 2020 (2020 Notes) and March 2025 (2025 Notes), we 
entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts with 
multiple banks that effectively converted the $600.0 million 
aggregate principal amount to floating rate debt, each at a rate 
based on three-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread. The effective 
floating interest rates were 1.755 percent for the 2020 Notes 
and 2.165 percent for the 2025 Notes at September 30, 2017. 
The aggregate fair value of the interest rate swap contracts at 
September 30, 2017 was a net unrealized loss of $4.6 million. 
We have designated these swaps as fair value hedges. The 
individual contracts are recorded in Other liabilities in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet with corresponding adjustments 
to the carrying value of the underlying debt. Additional 
information related to our interest rate swap contracts is 
included in Note 9.

At September 30, 2017 and 2016, our total borrowing capacity 
under our unsecured revolving credit facility expiring in 
March 2020 was $1.0 billion. We can increase the aggregate 
amount of this credit facility by up to $350.0 million, subject 
to the consent of the banks in the credit facility. We have not 
borrowed against this credit facility during the years ended 
September 30, 2017 or 2016. Borrowings under this credit 
facility bear interest based on short-term money market rates 
in effect during the period the borrowings are outstanding. In 
December 2016, we amended the financial covenant under 
this credit facility. The previous financial covenant, which 
limited our debt-to-total-capital ratio to 60 percent, was 
replaced with a minimum EBITDA-to-interest ratio of 3.0 to 
1.0. The EBITDA-to-interest ratio is defined in the amendment 
as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the 
amendment) for the preceding four quarters to consolidated 

interest expense for the same period. We believe the new 
covenant provides us greater financial flexibility. Separate short-
term unsecured credit facilities of approximately $128.4 million 
at September 30, 2017 were available to non-U.S. subsidiaries. 
Borrowings under our non-U.S. credit facilities at September 30, 
2017 and 2016 were not significant. There are no significant 
commitment fees or compensating balance requirements 
under any of our credit facilities.

Our short-term debt obligations are primarily comprised of 
commercial paper borrowings. Commercial paper borrowings 
outstanding were $350.0 million at September 30, 2017 
and $448.6 million at September 30, 2016. The weighted 
average interest rate of the commercial paper outstanding 
was 1.26 percent at September 30, 2017 and 0.57 percent at 
September 30, 2016.

Interest payments were $74.2 million during 2017, $69.2 million 
during 2016 and $60.8 million during 2015.

6. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consist of (in millions):

Unrealized losses on foreign exchange 
contracts (Note 9)
Product warranty obligations (Note 7)
Taxes other than income taxes
Accrued interest
Income taxes payable
Rocky Flats settlement (Note 18)
Other
Other current liabilities

September 30,
2016
2017

$31.3
28.5
42.7
16.9
32.6
—
68.2
$220.2

$15.6
28.0
43.1
16.9
28.6
242.5
72.9
$447.6

7. Product Warranty Obligations

We record a liability for product warranty obligations at the 
time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty 
experience. Most of our products are covered under a warranty 
period that runs for twelve months from either the date of sale 
or installation. We also record a liability for specific warranty 
matters when they become known and reasonably estimable.

Changes in product warranty obligations were (in millions):

Beginning balance
Warranties recorded at time of sale
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties
Settlements of warranty claims
Ending balance

September 30,
2016
2017
$27.9
$28.0
25.0
25.8
1.2
(0.2)
(26.1)
(25.1)
$28.0
$28.5

42  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

8. Investments

We invest in certificates of deposit, time deposits, commercial 
paper and other fixed income securities. All investments meeting 
the U.S. GAAP definition of a security were classified as available-
for-sale as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Unrealized gains 
and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in our 
Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of accumulated 
other comprehensive loss, net of any deferred taxes. Realized 
gains and losses are included in net income.

Our investments consist of (in millions):

Certificates of deposit and time deposits $1,005.3
20.3
Commercial paper
199.4
Corporate debt securities
116.8
Government securities
45.8
Asset-backed securities
$1,387.6
Total

September 30,
2016
2017
$902.8
—
—
—
—
$902.8

Pre-tax gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale 
investments were not material at September 30, 2017. Pre-tax 
gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments 
were not material for the years ended September 30, 2017 
and 2016. At September 30, 2017, there were $1.0 million of 
outstanding purchases of investments recorded in accounts 
payable that did not settle until the next fiscal year.

We evaluated all investments for which the fair value was 
less than amortized cost for impairment on an individual 
security basis at September 30, 2017. This assessment included 
consideration of our intent and ability to hold the security and 
the credit risks specific to each security. We determined that 
the declines in fair value of these investments were not other 
than temporary as of September 30, 2017, and accordingly we 
did not recognize any impairment charges in net income. 

The table below summarizes the contractual maturities of 
our investments as of September 30, 2017 (in millions). Actual 
maturities may differ from the contractual maturities below as 
borrowers may have the right to prepay certain obligations.

Less than one year
Due in one to five years
Total

Fair Value
$1,124.6
263.0
$1,387.6

Classification of our investments as current or noncurrent 
is based on the nature of the investment and when the 
investment is reasonably expected to be realized. These 
investments were included in the following line items within 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

Short-term investments
Other assets
Total

September 30,
2016
2017
$902.8
$1,124.6
—
263.0
$902.8
$1,387.6

Information regarding the fair value of our investments is 
contained in Note 9 in the Financial Statements.

9. Derivative Instruments and Fair 
Value Measurement

We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts and 
foreign currency denominated debt obligations to manage 
certain foreign currency risks. We also use interest rate swap 
contracts to manage risks associated with interest rate 
fluctuations. The following information explains how we use 
and value these types of derivative instruments and how they 
impact our consolidated financial statements.

Additional information related to the impacts of cash flow 
hedges on other comprehensive income (loss) is included in 
Note 10.

Types of Derivative Instruments and Hedging 
Activities

Cash Flow Hedges

We enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts 
to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate 
variability in the expected future cash flows associated 
with certain third-party and intercompany transactions 
denominated in foreign currencies forecasted to occur within 
the next two years (cash flow hedges). We report in other 
comprehensive income (loss) the effective portion of the gain 
or loss on derivative financial instruments that we designate 
and that qualify as cash flow hedges. We reclassify these 
gains or losses into earnings in the same periods when the 
hedged transactions affect earnings. To the extent forward 
exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges are 
ineffective, changes in value are recorded in earnings through 
the maturity date. There was no impact on earnings due to 
ineffective cash flow hedges. At September 30, 2017, we had a 
U.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of $741.2 million 
of foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as 
cash flow hedges.

www.rockwellautomation.com  43

The pre-tax amount of (losses) gains recorded in other 
comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedges that 
would have been recorded in the Consolidated Statement of 
Operations had they not been so designated was (in millions):

The pre-tax amount of (losses) gains recorded in other 
comprehensive income (loss) related to net investment hedges 
that would have been recorded in the Consolidated Statement 
of Operations had they not been so designated was (in millions):

Forward exchange contracts

2017
$(16.1)

2016
$(6.6)

2015
$41.7

The pre-tax amount of gains (losses) reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss into the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations related to derivative forward 
exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, which 
offset the related gains and losses on the hedged items during 
the periods presented, was (in millions):

Sales
Cost of sales
Selling, general and 
administrative expenses
Total

2017
$0.3
(2.8)

2016
$(5.5)
25.5

2015
$(8.4)
44.6

(0.5)
$(3.0)

(0.9)
$19.1

—
$36.2

Approximately $15.4 million of pre-tax net unrealized losses on 
cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2017 will be reclassified 
into earnings during the next 12 months. We expect that these 
net unrealized losses will be offset when the hedged items are 
recognized in earnings.

Net Investment Hedges

We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts and 
foreign currency denominated debt obligations to hedge 
portions of our net investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries (net 
investment hedges) against the effect of exchange rate 
fluctuations on the translation of foreign currency balances to 
the U.S. dollar. For all instruments that are designated as net 
investment hedges and meet effectiveness requirements, the 
net changes in value of the designated hedging instruments 
are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss 
within shareowners’ equity where they offset gains and losses 
recorded on our net investments globally. To the extent 
forward exchange contracts or foreign currency denominated 
debt designated as net investment hedges are ineffective, 
changes in value are recorded in earnings through the maturity 
date. There was no impact on earnings due to ineffective net 
investment hedges. At September 30, 2017, we had a gross 
notional amount of $677.3 million of foreign currency forward 
exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges.

Forward exchange contracts
Foreign currency 
denominated debt

Total

Fair Value Hedges

2017

$(16.3)

2016

$2.3

—

$(16.3)

0.8

$3.1

2015

$(4.4)

1.0

$(3.4)

We use interest rate swap contracts to manage the borrowing 
costs of certain long-term debt. In February 2015, we issued 
$600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes. 
Upon issuance of these notes, we entered into fixed-to-floating 
interest rate swap contracts that effectively convert these notes 
from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt. We designate these 
contracts as fair value hedges because they hedge the changes 
in fair value of the fixed rate notes resulting from changes in 
interest rates. The changes in value of these fair value hedges are 
recorded as gains or losses in interest expense and are offset by 
the losses or gains on the underlying debt instruments, which 
are also recorded in interest expense. There was no impact on 
earnings due to ineffective fair value hedges. At September 30, 
2017, the aggregate notional value of our interest rate swaps 
designated as fair value hedges was $600.0 million.

The pre-tax amount of net (losses) gains recognized within the 
Consolidated Statement of Operations related to derivative 
instruments designated as fair value hedges, which fully 
offset the related net gains and losses on the hedged debt 
instruments during the periods presented, was (in millions):

Interest expense

2017

$(24.1)

2016

$14.1

2015

$5.4

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Certain of our locations have assets and liabilities denominated 
in currencies other than their functional currencies resulting 
from intercompany loans and other transactions with third 
parties denominated in foreign currencies. We enter into foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts that we do not designate 
as hedging instruments to offset the transaction gains or losses 
associated with some of these assets and liabilities. Gains and 
losses on derivative financial instruments for which we do not 
elect hedge accounting are recognized in the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations in each period, based on the change 
in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments. At 
September 30, 2017, we had a U.S. dollar-equivalent gross 
notional amount of $224.9 million of foreign currency forward 
exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments.

44  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The pre-tax amount of (losses) gains from forward exchange 
contracts not designated as hedging instruments recognized in 
the Consolidated Statement of Operations was (in millions):

Cost of sales

Other income (expense)

Total

2017

$(1.8)

(8.6)

2016

2015

$0.9

(11.1)

$—

20.8

$(10.4)

$(10.2)

$20.8

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received 
for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly 
transaction between market participants in the principal or 
most advantageous market for the asset or liability. U.S. GAAP 
also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the 
following hierarchy:

Level 1: 

 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets 
or liabilities.

Level 2: 

 Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or 
liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets 
or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs 
other than quoted prices that are observable for the 
asset or liability.

Level 3:  Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Derivative Instruments

We recognize all derivative financial instruments as either 
assets or liabilities at fair value in the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet. We value our forward exchange contracts using a 
market approach. We use a valuation model based on inputs 
including forward and spot prices for currency and interest 
rate curves. We did not change our valuation techniques 
during fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015. It is our policy to execute such 
instruments with major financial institutions that we believe 
to be creditworthy and not to enter into derivative financial 
instruments for speculative purposes. We diversify our foreign 
currency forward exchange contracts among counterparties 
to minimize exposure to any one of these entities. Our 
foreign currency forward exchange contracts are usually 
denominated in currencies of major industrial countries. The 
U.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of our forward 
exchange contracts totaled $1,643.4 million at September 30, 
2017. Currency pairs (buy/sell) comprising the most significant 
contract notional values were United States dollar (USD)/euro, 
USD/Swiss franc, USD/Canadian dollar and Swiss franc/euro.

We value interest rate swap contracts using a market approach 
based on observable market inputs including publicized 
swap curves.

The fair value of our derivatives and their location in our Consolidated Balance Sheet were (in millions):

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Interest rate swap contracts

Interest rate swap contracts

Total

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Total

Balance Sheet 
Location

Other current assets

Other assets

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

Other assets

Other liabilities

Fair Value (Level 2)

September 30, 
2017

September 30, 
2016

$12.4

0.3

(19.1)

(5.1)

—

(4.6)

$(16.1)

$5.2

0.6

(11.7)

(1.8)

19.5

—

$11.8

Balance Sheet 
Location

Other current assets

Other current liabilities

Fair Value (Level 2)

September 30, 
2017

September 30, 
2016

$0.8

(12.2)

$(11.4)

$4.4

(3.9)

$0.5

www.rockwellautomation.com  45

Investments

We recognize all available-for-sale investments at fair value in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The valuation methodologies 
used for our investments measured at fair value are described 
as follows.

Certificates of deposit and time deposits — These investments are 
stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Commercial paper — These investments are stated at amortized 
cost, which approximates fair value.

Corporate debt securities — Valued at either the yields currently 
available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit 
ratings or valued under a discounted cash flow approach that 
maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar 
instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may 
not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks.

Fair values of our investments were (in millions):

Government securities — Valued at the most recent closing price 
on the active market on which the individual securities are 
traded or, absent an active market, utilizing observable inputs 
such as closing prices in less frequently traded markets.

Asset-backed securities — Valued using a discounted cash flow 
approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current 
yields of benchmark instruments, but includes adjustments 
for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and 
liquidity risks.

The methods described above may produce a fair value 
calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable 
value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while 
we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and 
consistent with other market participants, the use of different 
methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value 
of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair 
value measurement at the reporting date. We did not hold any 
Level 3 investments or have any transfers between levels of fair 
value measurements during the periods presented.

Certificates of deposit and time deposits

Commercial paper

Corporate debt securities

Government securities

Asset-backed securities

Total

Certificates of deposit and time deposits

Commercial paper

Corporate debt securities

Government securities

Asset-backed securities

Total

September 30, 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$— $1,005.3

$— $1,005.3

—

—

98.9

—

20.3

199.4

17.9

45.8

—

—

—

—

20.3

199.4

116.8

45.8

$98.9

$1,288.7

$— $1,387.6

September 30, 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$—

$902.8

$—

$902.8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

$—

$902.8

$—

$902.8

Other Financial Instruments

We also hold financial instruments consisting of cash, short-
term debt and long-term debt. The fair values of our cash 
and short-term debt approximate their carrying amounts as 
reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheet due to the short-
term nature of these instruments.

We base the fair value of long-term debt upon quoted market 
prices for the same or similar issues. The fair value of long-term 
debt below considers the terms of the debt excluding the 
impact of derivative and hedging activity. The carrying amount 
of a portion of our long-term debt is impacted by fixed-to-
floating interest rate swap contracts that are designated as fair 
value hedges.

46  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term debt

Current portion of long-term debt

Long-term debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term debt

Current portion of long-term debt

Long-term debt

September 30, 2017

Fair Value

Carrying 
Amount

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$1,410.9

$1,410.9

$1,299.4

$111.5

350.4

250.0

350.4

251.6

—

—

350.4

251.6

1,243.4

1,452.6

— 1,452.6

$—

—

—

—

September 30, 2016

Fair Value

Carrying 
Amount

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$1,526.4

$1,526.4

$1,480.6

448.6

—

448.6

—

—

—

$45.8

448.6

—

1,516.3

1,780.5

— 1,780.5

$—

—

—

—

www.rockwellautomation.com  47

10. Shareowners’ Equity

Common Stock

At September 30, 2017, the authorized stock of the Company consisted of one billion shares of common stock, par value $1.00 
per share, and 25 million shares of preferred stock, without par value. At September 30, 2017, 10.8 million shares of authorized 
common stock were reserved for various incentive plans.

Changes in outstanding common shares are summarized as follows (in millions):

Beginning balance
Treasury stock purchases
Shares delivered under incentive plans
Ending balance

2017 2016 2015
128.5 132.4 136.7
(5.4)
(4.6)
0.7
1.1
128.4 128.5 132.4

(2.3)
2.2

At September 30, 2017 there were no outstanding common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable. At 
September 30, 2016 there were $5.3 million of outstanding common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable that 
did not settle until 2017.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were 
(in millions):

Pension 
and other 
postretirement 
benefit plan 
adjustments, net 
of tax (Note 12)
$(909.4)

Accumulated 
currency 
translation 
adjustments, 
net of tax

Net unrealized 
gains (losses) 
on cash flow 
hedges,  
net of tax

Net unrealized 
gains (losses) on 
available-for-sale 
investments,  
net of tax

Total 
accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
loss, net of tax
$(948.0)

(420.5)

33.9
(386.6)
$(1,334.6)

(262.6)

58.4
(204.2)
$(1,538.8)

260.0

99.6
359.6
$(1,179.2)

$13.9

36.7

(35.7)
1.0
$14.9

(3.6)

(15.4)
(19.0)
$(4.1)

(12.3)

2.0
(10.3)
$(14.4)

$—

—

—
—
$—

—

—
—
$—

(0.1)

—
(0.1)
$(0.1)

Balance as of September 30, 2014
Other comprehensive (loss) 
income before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other 
comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive (loss) income
Balance as of September 30, 2015
Other comprehensive (loss) 
income before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other 
comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive (loss) income
Balance as of September 30, 2016
Other comprehensive income 
(loss) before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other 
comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance as of September 30, 2017

$(52.5)

(257.3)

(199.9)

69.6
(187.7)
$(1,097.1)

—
(199.9)
$(252.4)

(216.5)

(42.5)

73.8
(142.7)
$(1,239.8)

—
(42.5)
$(294.9)

215.2

57.2

97.6
312.8
$(927.0)

—
57.2
$(237.7)

48  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years 
ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were (in millions):

Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017

Affected Line in the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations

Pension and other postretirement benefit 
plan adjustments:

Amortization of prior service credit
Amortization of net actuarial loss
Settlements

Net unrealized (gains) losses on cash flow hedges:

Forward exchange contracts
Forward exchange contracts
Forward exchange contracts

Total reclassifications

$(9.8)
155.2
2.8
148.2
(50.6)
$97.6

$(0.3)
2.8
0.5
3.0
(1.0)
$2.0
$99.6

$(14.0)
126.8
—
112.8
(39.0)
$73.8

$5.5
(25.5)
0.9
(19.1)
3.7
$(15.4)
$58.4

$(17.2)
123.2

(a)
(a)
— (a)

106.0
(36.4)
$69.6

Income before income taxes
Income tax provision
Net income

$8.4
(44.6)

Sales
Cost of sales

— Selling, general and administrative expenses

(36.2)
0.5
$(35.7)
$33.9

Income before income taxes
Income tax provision
Net income
Net income

(a)  Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. These components 

are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 12 for further information.

11. Share-Based Compensation

During 2017, 2016 and 2015 we recognized $38.5 million, 
$40.5 million and $41.5 million of pre-tax share-based 
compensation expense, respectively. The total income tax 
benefit related to share-based compensation expense was 
$12.3 million, $12.9 million and $13.2 million during 2017, 2016 
and 2015, respectively. We recognize compensation expense 
on grants of share-based compensation awards on a straight-
line basis over the service period of each award recipient. As 
of September 30, 2017, total unrecognized compensation cost 
related to share-based compensation awards was $34.6 million, 
net of estimated forfeitures, which we expect to recognize over 
a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years.

Our 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended (2012 
Plan), authorizes us to deliver up to 11.8 million shares of 
our common stock upon exercise of stock options or upon 
grant or in payment of stock appreciation rights, performance 
shares, performance units, restricted stock units and restricted 
stock. Our 2003 Directors Stock Plan, as amended, authorizes 
us to deliver up to 0.5 million shares of our common stock 
upon exercise of stock options or upon grant of shares of 

our common stock and restricted stock units. Shares relating 
to awards under our 2012 Plan, 2008 Long-Term Incentives 
Plan, as amended, or our 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as 
amended, that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation 
or otherwise without the issuance or delivery of shares will be 
available for further awards under the 2012 Plan. Approximately 
5.6 million shares under our 2012 Plan and 0.2 million shares 
under our 2003 Directors Stock Plan remain available for future 
grant or payment at September 30, 2017. We use treasury stock 
to deliver shares of our common stock under these plans. Our 
2012 Plan does not permit share-based compensation awards 
to be granted after February 7, 2022.

Stock Options

We have granted non-qualified and incentive stock options to 
purchase our common stock under various incentive plans at 
prices equal to the fair market value of the stock on the grant 
dates. The exercise price for stock options granted under the 
plans may be paid in cash, already-owned shares of common 
stock or a combination of cash and such shares. Stock options 
expire ten years after the grant date and vest ratably over 
three years.

www.rockwellautomation.com  49

The per-share weighted average fair value of stock options 
granted during the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 
and 2015 was $25.70, $21.28 and $26.70, respectively. The total 
intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $141.1 million, 
$21.9 million and $46.1 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively. We estimated the fair value of each stock option 
on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model and 
the following assumptions:

Average risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield
Expected volatility
Expected term (years)

2017
2015
2016
1.85% 1.76% 1.61%
2.21% 2.78% 2.25%
31%
29%
5.1
5.1

24%
5.1

The average risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury 
security rates corresponding to the expected term in effect as 
of the grant date. The expected dividend yield is based on the 
expected annual dividend as a percentage of the market value 
of our common stock as of the grant date. We determined 
expected volatility using daily historical volatility of our stock 
price over the most recent period corresponding to the 
expected term as of the grant date. We determined the expected 
term of the stock options using historical data adjusted for the 
estimated exercise dates of unexercised options.

A summary of stock option activity for the year ended September 30, 2017 is:

Outstanding at October 1, 2016
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Canceled
Outstanding at September 30, 2017
Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2017
Exercisable at September 30, 2017

Shares 
(in thousands)
5,098
1,024
(2,168)
(59)
(6)
3,889
2,642
1,847

Wtd. Avg. 
Exercise 
Price

Wtd. Avg. 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Term (years)

Aggregate 
Intrinsic Value 
of In-The-Money 
Options 
(in millions)

$90.96
138.09
81.70
122.45
65.54
108.10
92.07
92.14

7.2
5.7
5.6

$272.6
227.6
158.9

Performance Share Awards

Certain officers and key employees are also eligible to receive 
shares of our common stock in payment of performance share 
awards granted to them. Grantees of performance shares will 
be eligible to receive shares of our common stock depending 
upon our total shareowner return, assuming reinvestment of all 
dividends, relative to the performance of companies in the S&P 
500 Index over a three-year period. The awards actually earned will 
range from zero percent to 200 percent of the targeted number of 
performance shares for the three-year performance periods and 
will be paid, to the extent earned, in the fiscal quarter following the 
end of the applicable three-year performance period.

A summary of performance share activity for the year ended 
September 30, 2017 is as follows:

Performance 
Shares 
(in thousands)
240
42

Wtd. Avg. 
Grant Date 
Share 
Fair Value
$98.73
174.37

(58)
(6)
(28)

108.48
108.48
94.41

190

112.64

Outstanding at October 1, 2016
Granted(1)
Adjustment for performance 
results achieved(2)
Vested and issued
Forfeited
Outstanding at  
September 30, 2017

(1)  Performance shares granted assuming achievement of performance 

goals at target.

(2)  Adjustments were due to the number of shares vested under the 

fiscal 2014 awards at the end of the three-year performance period 
ended September 30, 2016 being lower than the target number 
of shares.

50  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The following table summarizes information about performance 
shares vested during the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 
and 2015:

Percent payout
Shares vested (in thousands)
Total fair value of shares vested 
(in millions)

2017
10%
6

2016

2015
93% 187%
67

154

$0.9

$7.1

$17.2

For the three-year performance period ending September 30, 
2017, the payout will be 187 percent of the target number of 
shares, with a maximum of 139,000 shares to be delivered in 
payment under the awards in December 2017.

The per-share fair value of performance share awards granted 
during the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 
2015 was $174.37, $87.64 and $103.70, respectively, which 
we determined using a Monte Carlo simulation and the 
following assumptions:

Average risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield
Expected volatility

2017
1.35%
2.20%
23%

2016
1.21%
2.75%
22%

2015
0.96%
2.22%
24%

The average risk-free interest rate is based on the three-year 
U.S. Treasury security rate in effect as of the grant date. The 
expected dividend yield is based on the expected annual 
dividend as a percentage of the market value of our common 
stock as of the grant date. The expected volatilities were 
determined using daily historical volatility for the most recent 
three-year period as of the grant date.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

We grant restricted stock and restricted stock units to certain 
employees, and non-employee directors may elect to receive 
a portion of their compensation in restricted stock units. 
Restrictions on employee restricted stock and employee 
restricted stock units generally lapse over periods ranging 
from one to five years. Director restricted stock units generally 
are payable upon retirement. We value restricted stock and 
restricted stock units at the closing market value of our 
common stock on the date of grant. The weighted average 
grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit 
awards granted during the years ended September 30, 2017, 
2016 and 2015 was $138.32, $105.38 and $115.02, respectively. 
The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended 
September 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $7.6 million, 
$7.0 million, and $8.0 million, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity 
for the year ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

Restricted 
Stock and 
Restricted 
Stock Units 
(in thousands)
156
52
(54)
(13)

Wtd. Avg. 
Grant Date 
Share 
Fair Value
$108.63
138.32
109.82
110.51

141

118.87

Outstanding at October 1, 2016
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at  
September 30, 2017

We also granted approximately 8,000 shares of unrestricted 
common stock to non-employee directors during the year 
ended September 30, 2017. The weighted average grant date 
fair value of the unrestricted stock awards granted during the 
years ended September 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $129.68, 
$98.79 and $111.43, respectively.

12. Retirement Benefits

We sponsor funded and unfunded pension plans and other 
postretirement benefit plans for our employees. The pension 
plans cover most of our employees and provide for monthly 
pension payments to eligible employees after retirement. 
Pension benefits for salaried employees generally are based 
on years of credited service and average earnings. Pension 
benefits for hourly employees are primarily based on specified 
benefit amounts and years of service. Effective July 1, 2010 
we closed participation in our U.S. and Canada pension 
plans to employees hired after June 30, 2010. Employees 
hired after June 30, 2010 are instead eligible to participate 
in employee savings plans. The Company contributions are 
based on age and years of service and range from 3% to 7% 
of eligible compensation. Effective October 1, 2010, we also 
closed participation in our U.K. pension plan to employees 
hired after September 30, 2010 and these employees are now 
eligible for a defined contribution plan. Benefits to be provided 
to plan participants hired before July 1, 2010 or October 1, 
2010, respectively, are not affected by these changes. Our 
policy with respect to funding our pension obligations is to 
fund the minimum amount required by applicable laws and 
governmental regulations. We were not required to make 
contributions to satisfy minimum funding requirements in our 
U.S. pension plans. However, we made a voluntary contribution 
of $200.0 million to our U.S. qualified pension plan in 2017. 
We did not make voluntary contributions to our U.S. qualified 
pension plan in 2016 or 2015. Other postretirement benefits 
are primarily in the form of retirement medical plans that cover 
most of our employees in the U.S. and Canada and provide for 
the payment of certain medical costs of eligible employees and 
dependents after retirement.

www.rockwellautomation.com  51

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are (in millions):

Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization:

Prior service credit
Net actuarial loss
Special termination benefit
Settlements
Net periodic benefit cost (income)

Pension Benefits
2016
$88.0
169.5
(218.3)

2017
$97.0
151.6
(225.2)

Other Postretirement 
Benefits
2016
$1.3
3.3
—

2015
$1.5
4.1
—

2017
2015
$1.4
$85.7
167.2
2.5
(223.2) —

(3.7)
152.9
0.5
2.8
$175.9

(2.9)
124.5
0.5
—
$161.3

(2.7)
118.7
—
—
$145.7

(6.1)
2.3
—
—
$0.1

(11.1)
2.3
—
—
$(4.2)

(14.5)
4.5
—
—
$(4.4)

Benefit obligation, plan assets, funded status and net liability information is summarized as follows (in millions):

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement 
Benefits

2017
$4,785.9
97.0
151.6
(221.9)
(6.9)
3.9
(251.9)
0.5
(13.8)
(1.0)
41.6
4,585.0
3,447.9
315.5
254.9
3.9
(251.9)
(13.8)
31.8
3,788.3
$(796.7)

$10.6
(11.7)
(795.6)
$(796.7)

2016
$4,282.2
88.0
169.5
515.4
(10.0)
4.3
(232.0)
0.5
—
—
(32.0)
4,785.9
3,262.5
394.3
44.3
4.3
(232.0)
—
(25.5)
3,447.9
$(1,338.0)

$0.1
(11.6)
(1,326.5)
$(1,338.0)

2017
$86.9
1.4
2.5
(3.8)
—
3.4
(13.4)
—
—
—
0.8
77.8
—
—
10.0
3.4
(13.4)
—
—
—
$(77.8)

$—
(9.5)
(68.3)
$(77.8)

2016
$93.3
1.3
3.3
(0.2)
—
4.0
(14.9)
—
—
—
0.1
86.9
—
—
10.9
4.0
(14.9)
—
—
—
$(86.9)

$—
(10.5)
(76.4)
$(86.9)

Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial (gains) losses
Plan amendments
Plan participant contributions
Benefits paid
Special termination benefit
Settlements
Curtailments
Currency translation and other
Benefit obligation at end of year
Plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Company contributions
Plan participant contributions
Benefits paid
Settlements
Currency translation and other
Plan assets at end of year
Funded status of plans
Net amount on balance sheet consists of:
Other assets
Compensation and benefits
Retirement benefits
Net amount on balance sheet

52  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, at September 30, 2017 and 2016 which have not yet been 
recognized in net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in millions):

Prior service cost (credit)
Net actuarial loss
Total

During 2017, we recognized prior service credits of 
$9.8 million ($6.4 million net of tax) and net actuarial losses of 
$155.2 million ($101.8 million net of tax) in pension and other 
postretirement net periodic benefit cost, which were included 
in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 
2016. In 2018, we expect to recognize prior service credits of 
$4.9 million ($3.5 million net of tax), and net actuarial losses of 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost Assumptions

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement 
 Benefits

2017
$5.3
921.9
$927.2

2016

$4.9
1,235.1
$1,240.0

2017
$(12.2)
12.0
$(0.2)

2016
$(15.9)
15.7
$(0.2)

$115.4 million ($75.2 million net of tax) in pension and other 
postretirement net periodic benefit cost, which are included in 
accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2017.

The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was 
$4,252.2 million and $4,429.1 million at September 30, 2017 
and 2016, respectively.

Significant assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit cost included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for 
the period ended September 30 are (in weighted averages):

U.S. Plans
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Compensation increase rate
Non-U.S. Plans
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Compensation increase rate

Net Benefit Obligation Assumptions

Pension Benefits 
September 30,
2016

4.55%
7.50%
3.75%

2.67%
5.21%
3.11%

2015

4.50%
7.50%
3.75%

3.01%
5.31%
3.16%

2017

3.75%
7.50%
3.50%

1.77%
5.12%
2.86%

Other Postretirement Benefits 
September 30,
2016

2015

2017

3.10%
—
—

2.80%
—
—

3.85%
—
—

3.60%
—
—

3.65%
—
—

3.50%
—
—

Significant assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet are (in 
weighted averages):

U.S. Plans
Discount rate
Compensation increase rate
Health care cost trend rate(1)
Non-U.S. Plans
Discount rate
Compensation increase rate
Health care cost trend rate(1)

Pension Benefits 
September 30,

2017

2016

Other Postretirement Benefits 
September 30,

2017

2016

3.90%
3.50%
—

2.30%
2.99%
—

3.75%
3.50%
—

1.77%
2.86%
—

3.40%
—
6.50%

3.20%
—
4.50%

3.10%
—
6.50%

2.80%
—
4.95%

(1)  The health care cost trend rate reflects the estimated increase in gross medical claims costs. As a result of the plan amendment adopted 
effective October 1, 2002, our effective per person retiree medical cost increase is zero percent beginning in 2005 for the majority of our 
postretirement benefit plans. For our other plans, we assume the gross health care cost trend rate will decrease to 5.50% in 2019 for U.S. Plans 
and will not change in 2018 for Non-U.S. Plans.

www.rockwellautomation.com  53

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, we consider actual returns on plan assets over 
the long term, adjusted for forward-looking considerations, such as inflation, interest rates, equity performance and the active 
management of the plan’s invested assets. We also considered our current and expected mix of plan assets in setting this 
assumption. This resulted in the selection of the weighted average long-term rate of return on assets assumption. Our global 
weighted-average targeted and actual asset allocations at September 30, by asset category, are:

Allocation

Target

September 30,

Range

Allocations

2017

2016

40% – 65%

30% – 50%

0% – 15%

52%

40%

8%

50%

42%

8%

50%

41%

9%

Common collective trusts — Valued at the NAV as determined 
by the custodian of the fund. The NAV is based on the fair value 
of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities 
then divided by the number of units outstanding.

Private equity and alternative equity — Valued at the estimated 
fair value, as determined by the respective fund manager, 
based on the NAV of the investment units held at year end, 
which is subject to judgment.

Real estate funds — Consists of the real estate funds, which 
provide an indirect investment into a diversified and multi-
sector portfolio of property assets. Publicly-traded real estate 
funds are valued at the most recent closing price reported 
on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The remainder is valued at the 
estimated fair value, as determined by the respective fund 
manager, based on the NAV of the investment units held at 
year end, which is subject to judgment.

Insurance contracts — Valued at the aggregate amount of 
accumulated contribution and investment income less 
amounts used to make benefit payments and administrative 
expenses which approximates fair value.

Other — Consists of other fixed income investments and 
common collective trusts with a mix of equity and fixed 
income underlying assets. Other fixed income investments 
are valued at the most recent closing price reported in the 
markets in which the individual securities are traded, which 
may be infrequently.

The methods described above may produce a fair value 
calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or 
reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe 
our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with 
other market participants, the use of different methodologies 
or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial 
instruments could result in a different fair value measurement 
at the reporting date. Refer to Note 9 for further information 
regarding levels in the fair value hierarchy.

Asset Category

Equity securities

Debt securities

Other

The investment objective for pension funds related to our 
defined benefit plans is to meet the plan’s benefit obligations, 
while maximizing the long-term growth of assets without 
undue risk. We strive to achieve this objective by investing 
plan assets within target allocation ranges and diversification 
within asset categories. Target allocation ranges are guidelines 
that are adjusted periodically based on ongoing monitoring by 
plan fiduciaries. Investment risk is controlled by rebalancing to 
target allocations on a periodic basis and ongoing monitoring 
of investment manager performance relative to the investment 
guidelines established for each manager.

As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, our pension plans do not 
directly own our common stock.

In certain countries where we operate, there are no legal 
requirements or financial incentives provided to companies to 
pre-fund pension obligations. In these instances, we typically 
make benefit payments directly from cash as they become due, 
rather than by creating a separate pension fund.

The valuation methodologies used for our pension plans’ 
investments measured at fair value are described as follows. 
There have been no changes in the methodologies used at 
September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Common stock — Valued at the closing price reported on the 
active market on which the individual securities are traded.

Mutual funds — Valued at the net asset value (NAV) reported by 
the fund.

Corporate debt — Valued at either the yields currently available 
on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or 
valued under a discounted cash flow approach that maximizes 
observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, 
but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be 
observable such as credit and liquidity risks.

Government securities — Valued at the most recent closing price 
on the active market on which the individual securities are 
traded or, absent an active market, utilizing observable inputs 
such as closing prices in less frequently traded markets.

54  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

In accordance with ASC Subtopic 820-10, certain investments 
that are measured at fair value using the NAV (or its equivalent) 
practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value 
hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are 
intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy 
to the line items presented in the consolidated financial 

statements. The guidance under this subtopic was effective 
for us starting in fiscal 2017 and is required to be adopted on 
a retrospective basis. Accordingly, certain investments which 
were classified in the fair value hierarchy in the prior year are 
now presented as a single fair value outside of the hierarchy.

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2017:

U.S. Plans

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
Mutual funds
Common stock
Common collective trusts

Fixed income securities:
Corporate debt
Government securities
Common collective trusts

Other types of investments:
Insurance contracts

Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy
U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV:

Private equity
Alternative equity

Total U.S. Plans investments
Non-U.S. Plans

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:

Common stock
Common collective trusts

Fixed income securities:
Corporate debt
Government securities
Common collective trusts

Other types of investments:

Real estate funds
Insurance contracts
Other

Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy
Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV:

Real estate funds
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments
Total investments measured at fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$1.1

$—

$—

$1.1

230.1
911.7
—

—
247.0
—

—
—
411.2

663.7
109.4
204.1

—
—
—

—
—
—

—
$1,389.9

—
$1,388.4

0.9
$0.9

230.1
911.7
411.2

663.7
356.4
204.1

0.9
2,779.2

49.9
61.0
2,890.1

$3.3

57.3
—

—
1.2
—

—
—
—
$61.8

$—

$—

3.3

—
311.1

37.0
14.8
301.1

86.6
—
—
$750.6

—
—

—
—
—

—
71.5
4.8
$76.3

57.3
311.1

37.0
16.0
301.1

86.6
71.5
4.8
888.7

9.5
898.2
$3,788.3

www.rockwellautomation.com  55

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2016:

U.S. Plans

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
Mutual funds
Common stock
Common collective trusts

Fixed income securities:
Corporate debt
Government securities
Common collective trusts

Other types of investments:
Insurance contracts

Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy
U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV:

Private equity
Alternative equity

Total U.S. Plans investments
Non-U.S. Plans

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:

Common stock
Common collective trusts

Fixed income securities:
Corporate debt
Government securities
Common collective trusts

Other types of investments:

Real estate funds
Insurance contracts
Other

Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy
Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV: 

Real estate funds
Total Non-U.S. Plans investments
Total investments measured at fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$2.9

$—

$—

$2.9

203.6
705.9
—

—
252.6
—

—
—
483.6

591.8
99.5
161.4

—
—
—

—
—
—

—
$1,165.0

—
$1,336.3

0.9
$0.9

203.6
705.9
483.6

591.8
352.1
161.4

0.9
2,502.2

57.1
56.9
2,616.2

$1.9

48.6
—

—
10.0
—

—
—
—
$60.5

$—

$—

1.9

—
279.3

34.1
7.6
271.1

85.4
—
—
$677.5

—
—

—
—
—

—
79.7
4.8
$84.5

48.6
279.3

34.1
17.6
271.1

85.4
79.7
4.8
822.5

9.2
831.7
$3,447.9

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in fair market value of our pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the year ended 
September 30, 2017:

U.S. Plans

Insurance contracts

Non-U.S. Plans

Insurance contracts

Other

Balance 
October 1, 
2016

Realized 
Gains (Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2017

$0.9

79.7

4.8

$85.4

$—

—

—

$—

$—

(13.4)

—

$(13.4)

$—

5.2

—

$5.2

$0.9

71.5

4.8

$77.2

56  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in fair market value of our pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the year ended 
September 30, 2016:

U.S. Plans

Insurance contracts

Non-U.S. Plans

Insurance contracts

Other

Balance 
October 1, 
2015

Realized 
Gains (Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2016

$0.9

63.8

4.4

$69.1

$—

—

—

$—

$—

14.5

—

$14.5

$—

1.4

0.4

$1.8

$0.9

79.7

4.8

$85.4

Estimated Future Payments

Defined Contribution Savings Plans

We expect to contribute $53.8 million related to our worldwide 
pension plans and $9.7 million to our postretirement benefit 
plans in 2018.

The following benefit payments, which include employees’ 
expected future service, as applicable, are expected to be paid 
(in millions):

We also sponsor certain defined contribution savings plans 
for eligible employees. Expense related to these plans was 
$41.5 million in 2017, $38.6 million in 2016 and $46.3 million 
in 2015.

13. Other Income (Expense)

The components of other income (expense) are (in millions):

Gain on sale of business
Interest income
Royalty income
Legacy product liability and 
environmental charges
Other
Other income (expense)

2017
$60.8
19.6
8.9

(8.3)
(0.1)
$80.9

2016

2015
$— $—
10.7
12.7
2.9
2.9

(12.7)
3.4
$6.3

(19.8)
0.7
$(5.5)

In September 2017, we sold W Interconnections, Inc. and 
subsidiaries, which was included within our Control Products 
& Solutions segment, for approximately $94.0 million. We 
recorded a pre-tax gain of $60.8 million as a result of this 
divestiture, which is included within Other Income (Expense) in 
the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023 – 2027

Pension 
Benefits

$267.1

258.3

272.7

289.0

305.8

1,451.6

Other  
Postretirement 
Benefits

$9.7

9.3

6.0

4.9

4.7

20.2

Other Postretirement Benefits

A one percentage point change in assumed health care 
cost trend rates would not have a material impact on our 
service and interest cost components or postretirement 
benefit obligation.

Pension Benefits

Information regarding our pension plans with accumulated 
benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets 
(underfunded plans) at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as 
follows (in millions):

Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

2017
$4,280.9
3,956.8
3,473.6

2016
$4,784.5
4,428.0
3,446.5

www.rockwellautomation.com  57

14. Income Taxes

Selected income tax data (in millions):

Components of income before income taxes:

United States
Non-United States
Total

Components of the income tax provision:

Current:

United States
Non-United States
State and local

Total current
Deferred:

United States
Non-United States
State and local

Total deferred
Income tax provision

Total income taxes paid

Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation

The reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory rate and our effective tax rate was:

Statutory tax rate
State and local income taxes
Non-United States taxes
Tax effect of foreign dividends
Foreign currency transaction loss
Share-based compensation
Research and development tax credit
Change in valuation allowances
Domestic manufacturing deduction
Adjustments for prior period tax matters
Other
Effective income tax rate

2017

2016

2015

$547.2
490.2
$1,037.4

$512.1
431.0
$943.1

$660.5
467.0
$1,127.5

$67.3
109.9
0.7
177.9

44.6
(14.1)
3.3
33.8
$211.7
$211.9

$175.9
91.7
16.3
283.9

(53.7)
(8.8)
(8.0)
(70.5)
$213.4
$299.8

2017
35.0%
0.7
(9.3)
0.5
(1.9)
(2.8)
(0.6)
0.1
(0.9)
(0.4)
—
20.4%

2016
35.0%
0.6
(8.6)
0.1
(0.8)
—
(2.0)
(0.6)
(1.2)
0.4
(0.3)
22.6%

$238.6
73.6
17.0
329.2

(30.3)
2.6
(1.6)
(29.3)
$299.9
$313.1

2015
35.0%
0.9
(7.9)
(0.2)
—
—
(0.6)
(0.5)
(1.2)
0.5
0.6
26.6%

We operate in certain non-U.S. tax jurisdictions under government-sponsored tax incentive programs, which may be extended 
if certain additional requirements are met. The program which generates the primary benefit will expire in 2022. The tax benefit 
attributable to these programs was $43.4 million ($0.33 per diluted share) in 2017, $33.9 million ($0.26 per diluted share) in 2016 
and $36.5 million ($0.27 per diluted share) in 2015.

58  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Deferred Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to our net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) at September 30, 2017 and 
2016 were (in millions):

Deferred income tax assets:

Compensation and benefits
Inventory
Returns, rebates and incentives
Retirement benefits
Environmental remediation and other site-related costs
Share-based compensation
Other accruals and reserves
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards
Capital loss carryforwards
Other
Subtotal
Valuation allowance
Net deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities:

Property
Intangible assets
Other
Deferred income tax liabilities
Total net deferred income tax assets

We have not provided U.S. deferred taxes for $3,526.0 million 
of undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, 
since these earnings have been determined to be indefinitely 
reinvested outside the U.S. and thus are not subject to 
U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. It is not 
practicable to estimate the amount of additional taxes that may 
be payable upon distribution of these earnings.

2017

2016

$18.8
20.2
45.9
305.5
33.4
32.4
71.3
20.4
15.3
10.3
11.1
584.6
(18.6)
566.0

$16.2
18.0
55.1
493.6
34.8
40.6
60.5
24.4
13.7
9.9
11.4
778.2
(17.3)
760.9

(74.0)
(45.9)
(2.5)
(122.4)
$443.6

(63.5)
(54.9)
(8.6)
(127.0)
$633.9

We believe it is more likely than not that we will realize our 
deferred tax assets through the reduction of future taxable 
income, other than for the deferred tax assets reflected below.

Tax attributes and related valuation allowances at September 30, 2017 were (in millions):

Tax Attribute to be Carried Forward
Non-United States net operating loss carryforward
Non-United States net operating loss carryforward
Non-United States capital loss carryforward
United States net operating loss carryforward
United States tax credit carryforward
State and local net operating loss carryforward
State tax credit carryforward
Total

Tax Benefit 
Amount
$6.2
4.7
10.3
1.2
2.2
8.3
13.1
46.0

Valuation 
Allowance
$5.8
1.7
10.3
—
—
0.2
0.6
18.6

Carryforward 
Period Ends
2018 - 2027
Indefinite
Indefinite
2019 - 2033
2018 - 2037
2018 - 2037
2019 - 2032

www.rockwellautomation.com  59

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of our gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in millions):

Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities
Reductions related to lapses of statute of limitations
Effect of foreign currency translation
Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year

The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits that would 
reduce our effective tax rate if recognized was $31.1 million, 
$32.4 million and $43.9 million at September 30, 2017, 2016 
and 2015, respectively.

Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax 
benefits were $4.0 million and $5.2 million at September 30, 
2017 and 2016, respectively. We recognize interest and 
penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income 
tax provision. Benefits (expense) recognized were 
$1.2 million, ($0.1) million and $2.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 
2015, respectively.

2017
$32.4
1.9
10.8
(0.1)
(7.7)
(6.3)
0.1
$31.1

2016
$43.9
2.3
14.9
—
(27.1)
(1.6)
—
$32.4

2015
$38.9
2.1
11.6
(1.0)
(4.3)
(1.6)
(1.8)
$43.9

We believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of 
gross unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to 
$9.5 million in the next 12 months as a result of the resolution 
of tax matters in various global jurisdictions and the lapses of 
statutes of limitations. If all of the unrecognized tax benefits 
were recognized, the net reduction to our income tax 
provision, including the recognition of interest and penalties 
and offsetting tax assets, could be up to $4.4 million.

We conduct business globally and are routinely audited by the 
various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. We are no longer 
subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 
2014 and are no longer subject to state, local and non-U.S. 
income tax examinations for years before 2003.

60  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

15. Commitments and Contingent 
Liabilities

Obligations and expected recoveries related to environmental 
remediation costs, conditional asset retirement obligations and 
other recorded indemnification matters as of September 30, 
2017 and 2016 are as follows:

Environmental remediation costs
Conditional asset retirement obligations
Indemnification liabilities
Total recorded liabilities
Recorded probable expected recoveries
Net recorded liabilities

2017
$67.6
21.2
12.0
100.8
(17.8)
$83.0

2016
$73.9
20.6
17.0
111.5
(22.5)
$89.0

As of September 30, 2017, we have estimated the total 
reasonably possible costs we could incur from these 
environmental remediation and indemnification liabilities to be 
$121.3 million ($98.4 million, net of related receivables).

Environmental Matters

Federal, state and local requirements relating to the discharge 
of substances into the environment, the disposal of hazardous 
wastes and other activities affecting the environment have 
and will continue to have an effect on our manufacturing 
operations. Thus far, compliance with environmental 
requirements and resolution of environmental claims have 
been accomplished without material effect on our business, 
financial condition or results of operations.

We have been designated as a potentially responsible party 
at 13 Superfund sites, excluding sites as to which our records 
disclose no involvement or as to which our potential liability 
has been finally determined and assumed by third parties. 
In addition, various other lawsuits, claims and proceedings 
have been asserted against us seeking remediation of 
alleged environmental impairments, principally at previously 
owned properties.

Environmental remediation cost liabilities and related expected 
recoveries at September 30, 2017 are as follows (in millions):

Other current liabilities
Other liabilities
Total recorded environmental remediation costs(1)
Receivables
Other assets
Total recorded probable expected recoveries
Net environmental remediation costs

2017
$10.7
56.9
67.6
(1.2)
(10.1)
(11.3)
$56.3

(1)  Includes $47.5 million related to discounted ongoing operating and 

maintenance expenditures.

Based on our assessment, we believe that our expenditures for 
environmental capital investment and remediation necessary 
to comply with present regulations governing environmental 
protection and other expenditures for the resolution of 
environmental claims will not have a material effect on 
our business, financial condition or results of operations. 
We cannot assess the possible effect of compliance with 
future requirements.

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

We accrue for costs related to a legal obligation associated 
with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results 
from the acquisition, construction, development or the normal 
operation of the long-lived asset. The obligation to perform 
the asset retirement activity is not conditional even though the 
timing or method may be conditional. Identified conditional 
asset retirement obligations include asbestos abatement 
and remediation of soil contamination beneath current and 
previously divested facilities. We estimate conditional asset 
retirement obligations using site-specific knowledge and 
historical industry expertise.

Conditional asset retirement obligations and related expected 
recoveries at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows 
(in millions):

Other current liabilities
Other liabilities
Total recorded conditional asset  
retirement obligations
Receivables
Other assets
Total recorded probable expected recoveries
Net conditional asset retirement obligations

2017 2016
$0.7
$0.7
19.9
20.5

21.2
(0.1)
(0.2)
(0.3)
$20.9

20.6
(0.1)
(0.2)
(0.3)
$20.3

There have been no significant changes in liabilities incurred, 
liabilities settled, accretion expense or revisions in estimated 
cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2017 and 
2016, respectively.

Other Matters

Various other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been 
or may be instituted or asserted against us relating to the 
conduct of our business, including those pertaining to product 
liability, environmental, safety and health, intellectual property, 
employment and contract matters. Although the outcome of 
litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and some lawsuits, 
claims or proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably to us, 
we believe the disposition of matters that are pending or have 
been asserted will not have a material effect on our business, 
financial condition or results of operations.

www.rockwellautomation.com  61

We (including our subsidiaries) have been named as a 
defendant in lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of 
exposure to asbestos that was used in certain components 
of our products many years ago. Currently there are a few 
thousand claimants in lawsuits that name us as defendants, 
together with hundreds of other companies. In some cases, 
the claims involve products from divested businesses, and 
we are indemnified for most of the costs. However, we have 
agreed to defend and indemnify asbestos claims associated 
with products manufactured or sold by our former Dodge 
mechanical and Reliance Electric motors and motor repair 
services businesses prior to their divestiture by us, which 
occurred on January 31, 2007. We are also responsible for 
half of the costs and liabilities associated with asbestos cases 
against our former Rockwell International Corporation's 
divested measurement and flow control business. But in all 
cases, for those claimants who do show that they worked with 
our products or products of divested businesses for which we 
are responsible, we nevertheless believe we have meritorious 
defenses, in substantial part due to the integrity of the 
products, the encapsulated nature of any asbestos-containing 
components, and the lack of any impairing medical condition 
on the part of many claimants. We defend those cases 
vigorously. Historically, we have been dismissed from the vast 
majority of these claims with no payment to claimants.

We have maintained insurance coverage that we believe covers 
indemnity and defense costs, over and above self-insured 
retentions, for claims arising from our former Allen-Bradley 
subsidiary. Following litigation against Nationwide Indemnity 
Company (Nationwide) and Kemper Insurance (Kemper), the 
insurance carriers that provided liability insurance coverage 
to Allen-Bradley, we entered into separate agreements on 
April 1, 2008 with both insurance carriers to further resolve 
responsibility for ongoing and future coverage of Allen-Bradley 
asbestos claims. In exchange for a lump sum payment, Kemper 
bought out its remaining liability and has been released from 
further insurance obligations to Allen-Bradley. Nationwide 
entered into a cost share agreement with us to pay the 
substantial majority of future defense and indemnity costs for 
Allen-Bradley asbestos claims. We believe that this arrangement 
with Nationwide will continue to provide coverage for 
Allen-Bradley asbestos claims throughout the remaining life of 
the asbestos liability.

We also have rights to historic insurance policies that provide 
indemnity and defense costs, over and above self-insured 
retentions, for claims arising out of certain asbestos liabilities 
relating to the divested measurement and flow control 

business. We initiated litigation against several insurers to 
pursue coverage for these claims, subject to each carrier's 
policy limits, and the case is now pending in Los Angeles 
County Superior Court. In September 2016, we entered into 
settlement agreements with certain insurance company 
defendants. In exchange for a lump sum payment, Lamorak 
Insurance Company bought out its remaining liability and 
has been released from further insurance obligations relating 
to the measurement and flow control business. Certain 
Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London and certain London Market 
Insurance Companies entered into a cost share agreement 
to pay a portion of future defense and indemnity costs for 
measurement and flow control asbestos claims. We believe 
this arrangement will continue to provide partial coverage 
for these asbestos claims throughout the remaining life of 
asbestos liability.

The uncertainties of asbestos claim litigation make it difficult 
to predict accurately the ultimate outcome of asbestos claims. 
That uncertainty is increased by the possibility of adverse 
rulings or new legislation affecting asbestos claim litigation 
or the settlement process. Subject to these uncertainties and 
based on our experience defending asbestos claims, we do 
not believe these lawsuits will have a material effect on our 
business, financial condition or results of operations.

We have, from time to time, divested certain of our businesses. 
In connection with these divestitures, certain lawsuits, claims 
and proceedings may be instituted or asserted against us 
related to the period that we owned the businesses, either 
because we agreed to retain certain liabilities related to these 
periods or because such liabilities fall upon us by operation of 
law. In some instances the divested business has assumed the 
liabilities; however, it is possible that we might be responsible 
to satisfy those liabilities if the divested business is unable to 
do so.

In connection with the spin-offs of our former automotive 
business, semiconductor systems business and Rockwell 
Collins avionics and communications business, the spun-off 
companies have agreed to indemnify us for substantially all 
contingent liabilities related to the respective businesses, 
including environmental and intellectual property matters.

In conjunction with the sale of our Dodge mechanical and 
Reliance Electric motors and motor repair services businesses, 
we agreed to indemnify Baldor Electric Company for costs and 
damages related to certain legal, legacy environmental and 
asbestos matters of these businesses arising before January 31, 
2007, for which the maximum exposure would be capped at 
the amount received for the sale.

62  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Indemnification liabilities and related expected recoveries at 
September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in millions):

16. Business Segment Information

Other current liabilities
Other liabilities
Total recorded indemnification liabilities
Receivables
Other assets
Total recorded probable expected recoveries
Net indemnification liabilities

2017 2016
$4.9
$2.5
12.1
9.5
17.0
12.0
(3.5)
(1.6)
(7.3)
(4.6)
(10.8)
(6.2)
$6.2
$5.8

Rockwell Automation, a leader in industrial automation and 
information, makes its customers more productive and the 
world more sustainable. We determine our operating segments 
based on the information used by our chief operating decision 
maker, our Chief Executive Officer, to allocate resources 
and assess performance. Based upon this information, we 
organize our products, solutions and services into two 
operating segments: Architecture & Software and Control 
Products & Solutions.

Included in the above are certain environmental 
indemnification liabilities that are substantially indemnified by 
ExxonMobil Corporation for which we have recorded a liability 
of $6.6 million and $11.0 million, and a related receivable of 
$6.2 million and $10.8 million, as of September 30, 2017 and 
2016, respectively.

In many countries we provide a limited intellectual property 
indemnity as part of our terms and conditions of sale. We also 
at times provide limited intellectual property indemnities in 
other contracts with third parties, such as contracts concerning 
the development and manufacture of our products. As of 
September 30, 2017, we were not aware of any material 
indemnification claims that were probable or reasonably 
possible of an unfavorable outcome. Historically, claims that 
have been made under the indemnification agreements have 
not had a material impact on our business, financial condition 
or results of operations; however, to the extent that valid 
indemnification claims arise in the future, future payments by 
us could be significant and could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition or results of operations in a 
particular period.

Lease Commitments

Rental expense was $115.1 million in 2017, $115.5 million in 
2016 and $117.0 million in 2015. As of September 30, 2017, 
minimum future rental commitments under operating leases 
having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are 
payable as follows (in millions):

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Beyond 2022
Total

$73.3
62.4
52.1
36.6
25.8
34.8
$285.0

Commitments from third parties under sublease agreements 
having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were 
not significant as of September 30, 2017. Most leases contain 
renewal options for varying periods, and certain leases include 
options to purchase the leased property.

Architecture & Software

The Architecture & Software segment contains all of the 
hardware, software and communication components of our 
integrated control and information architecture which are 
capable of controlling the customer’s industrial processes 
and connecting with their business enterprise. Architecture & 
Software has a broad portfolio of products including:

•  Control platforms that perform multiple control disciplines 
and monitoring of applications, including discrete, batch 
and continuous process, drives control, motion control 
and machine safety control. Our platform products 
include controllers, electronic operator interface devices, 
electronic input/output devices, communication and 
networking products and industrial computers. The 
information-enabled Logix controllers provide integrated 
multi-discipline control that is modular and scalable.

• 

Software products that include configuration and 
visualization software used to operate and supervise 
control platforms, advanced process control software, 
manufacturing execution systems (MES) and information 
solutions software that enables customers to improve 
operational productivity and meet regulatory requirements.

•  Other products, including sensors, machine safety 
components and linear motion control products.

Control Products & Solutions

The Control Products & Solutions segment combines a 
comprehensive portfolio of intelligent motor control and 
industrial control products, application expertise and 
project management capabilities. This comprehensive 
portfolio includes:

• 

Low and medium voltage electro-mechanical and 
electronic motor starters, motor and circuit protection 
devices, AC/DC variable frequency drives, push buttons, 
signaling devices, termination and protection devices, 
relays and timers.

www.rockwellautomation.com  63

• 

Value-added solutions ranging from packaged solutions 
such as configured drives and motor control centers to 
automation and information solutions where we provide 
design, integration and start-up services for custom-
engineered hardware and information software.

• 

Services designed to help maximize a customer’s 
automation investment and provide total life-cycle support, 
including technical support and repair, asset management, 
training, predictive and preventative maintenance, and 
safety and network consulting.

The following tables reflect the sales and operating results of our reportable segments for the years ended September 30, 2017, 
2016 and 2015 (in millions):

Sales:

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

Total

Segment operating earnings:
Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions

Total

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization
General corporate-net
Non-operating pension costs
Gain on sale of business
Interest expense
Income before income taxes

Among other considerations, we evaluate performance 
and allocate resources based upon segment operating 
earnings before income taxes, interest expense, costs related 
to corporate offices, non-operating pension costs, certain 
nonrecurring corporate initiatives, gains and losses from 
the disposition of businesses and purchase accounting 
depreciation and amortization. Depending on the product, 

2017

2016

2015

$2,899.3
3,412.0
$6,311.3

$781.5
451.6
1,233.1
(21.4)
(76.3)
(82.6)
60.8
(76.2)
$1,037.4

$2,635.2
3,244.3
$5,879.5

$695.0
493.7
1,188.7
(18.4)
(79.7)
(76.2)
—
(71.3)
$943.1

$2,749.5
3,558.4
$6,307.9

$808.6
551.9
1,360.5
(21.0)
(85.6)
(62.7)
—
(63.7)
$1,127.5

intersegment sales within a single legal entity are either at cost 
or cost plus a mark-up, which does not necessarily represent a 
market price. Sales between legal entities are at an appropriate 
transfer price. We allocate costs related to shared segment 
operating activities to the segments using a methodology 
consistent with the expected benefit.

The following tables summarize the identifiable assets at September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the provision for depreciation 
and amortization and the amount of capital expenditures for property for the years then ended for each of the reportable 
segments and Corporate (in millions):

Identifiable assets:

Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Corporate

Total

Depreciation and amortization:
Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Corporate

Total

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization

Total

Capital expenditures for property:
Architecture & Software
Control Products & Solutions
Corporate

Total

64  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

2017

2016

2015

$2,482.8
2,078.2
2,600.7
$7,161.7

$2,054.3
2,034.6
3,012.3
$7,101.2

$1,790.5
2,078.1
2,536.1
$6,404.7

$69.3
75.0
3.2
147.5
21.4
$168.9

$30.0
42.1
69.6
$141.7

$75.0
77.3
1.5
153.8
18.4
$172.2

$24.7
41.5
50.7
$116.9

$69.7
70.3
1.5
141.5
21.0
$162.5

$29.4
56.8
36.7
$122.9

Identifiable assets at Corporate consist principally of cash, net 
deferred income tax assets, prepaid pension and property. 
Property shared by the segments and used in operating 
activities is also reported in Corporate identifiable assets 
and Corporate capital expenditures. Corporate identifiable 
assets include shared net property balances of $259.3 million, 
$264.8 million and $266.8 million at September 30, 2017, 2016 

and 2015, respectively, for which depreciation expense has 
been allocated to segment operating earnings based on the 
expected benefit to be realized by each segment. Corporate 
capital expenditures include $69.6 million, $50.7 million and 
$36.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that will be 
shared by our operating segments.

We conduct a significant portion of our business activities outside the United States. The following tables present sales and 
property by geographic region (in millions):

United States
Canada
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Total

2017
$3,458.4
343.4
1,193.7
866.4
449.4
$6,311.3

Sales
2016
$3,213.4
316.4
1,147.2
764.4
438.1
$5,879.5

2015
$3,446.8
366.6
1,174.0
834.5
486.0
$6,307.9

Property
2016
$445.4
7.3
49.9
37.4
38.3
$578.3

2017
$443.4
8.8
52.5
40.0
39.2
$583.9

2015
$472.1
7.3
50.4
41.9
33.9
$605.6

We attribute sales to the geographic regions based on the 
country of destination.

In most countries, we sell primarily through independent 
distributors in conjunction with our direct sales force. In other 
countries, we sell through a combination of our direct sales 

force and to a lesser extent, through independent distributors. 
We sell large systems and service offerings principally through 
our direct sales force, though opportunities are sometimes 
identified through distributors. Sales to our largest distributor in 
2017, 2016 and 2015, which are attributable to both segments, 
were approximately 10 percent of our total sales.

17. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Sales
Gross profit
Income before income taxes
Net income
Earnings per share:

Basic
Diluted

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Sales
Gross profit
Income before income taxes
Net income
Earnings per share:

Basic
Diluted

2017 Quarters

First
$1,490.3
642.3
257.6
214.7

Second
$1,554.3
656.5
230.3
189.5

Third
$1,599.2
677.7
276.0
216.9

Fourth
$1,667.5
647.7
273.5
204.6

2017
$6,311.3
2,624.2
1,037.4
825.7

1.67
1.65

1.47
1.45

1.69
1.67

1.59
1.57

6.42
6.35

2016 Quarters

First
$1,426.6
612.7
236.9
185.5

Second
$1,440.3
594.1
217.0
168.0

Third
$1,474.0
616.8
252.3
191.0

Fourth
$1,538.6
651.9
236.9
185.2

2016
$5,879.5
2,475.5
943.1
729.7

1.41
1.40

1.29
1.28

1.47
1.46

1.44
1.43

5.60
5.56

Note: The sum of the quarterly per share amounts will not necessarily equal the annual per share amounts presented.

www.rockwellautomation.com  65

18. Rocky Flats Settlement

From 1975 to 1989, Rockwell International Corporation (RIC) 
operated the Rocky Flats facility in Colorado for the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DoE). In 1990, a class of landowners 
near Rocky Flats sued RIC and Dow Chemical, another former 
operator of the facility. In May 2016, the parties agreed to settle 
this case and the DoE authorized the settlement. Under the 
court approved settlement agreement, we and Dow Chemical 
agreed to pay $375.0 million in the aggregate to resolve the 
claims. Under RIC’s contract with the DoE and federal law, RIC 
was entitled to indemnification by the DoE for its portion of the 
settlement amount, which was $243.75 million. When RIC was 

acquired by Boeing in 1996, we agreed to indemnify Boeing for 
RIC’s liabilities related to Rocky Flats and received the benefits 
of RIC’s corresponding indemnity rights against the DoE. 
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, in fiscal 2016, RIC paid 
an initial amount of $1.25 million to the plaintiff class escrow 
fund. In January 2017, the DoE fulfilled its indemnification 
obligation by paying $243.75 million, and the full amount 
of RIC's obligation under the settlement agreement has 
now been transferred to the plaintiff class escrow fund. As a 
result, we were not required to make any payment under the 
settlement agreement.

66  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT 
REGISTERED PUBLIC 
ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareowners of

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets of Rockwell Automation, Inc. and subsidiaries (the 
“Company”) as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, 
cash flows, and shareowners’ equity for each of the three years 
in the period ended September 30, 2017. Our audits also 
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index 
at Item 15(a)(2). We also have audited the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017, 
based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated 
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s 
management is responsible for these financial statements and 
financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included 
in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control 
over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on these financial statements and financial statement 
schedule and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards 
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement and 
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial 
statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence 
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating 
the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of 
internal control over financial reporting included obtaining 
an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, 
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing 
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of 
internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also 
included performing such other procedures as we considered 
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits 
provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is 
a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the 
company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, 
or persons performing similar functions, and effected by 
the company’s board of directors, management, and other 
personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal 
control over financial reporting includes those policies and 
procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records 
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; 
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded 
as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 
that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only in accordance with authorizations of management and 
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over 
financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion 
or improper management override of controls, material 
misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or 
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation 
of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial 
reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies 
or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred 
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of Rockwell Automation, Inc. and subsidiaries as 
of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their 
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended September 30, 2017, in conformity 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial 
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the 
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, 
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set 
forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, 
in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of September 30, 2017, based on the criteria 
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

November 15, 2017

www.rockwellautomation.com  67

Item 9. Changes in and 
Disagreements with 
Accountants on Accounting 
and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and 
Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls 
and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our 
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness, 
as of September 30, 2017, of our disclosure controls and 
procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) 
of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded 
that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of 
September 30, 2017.

Management’s Report on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 
internal control over financial reporting, as defined in 
Rule 13a-15(f ) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control 
over financial reporting is a process designed to provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. Under the supervision and with 
the participation of our management, including the Chief 

Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the 
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting 
based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated 
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based 
upon that evaluation, management has concluded that our 
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of 
September 30, 2017.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting 
as of September 30, 2017 has been audited by Deloitte & 
Touche LLP, as stated in their report that is included on the 
previous two pages.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over 
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future 
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of the changes in conditions, or that 
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures 
may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control Over 
Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over 
financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act 
Rule 13a-15(f )) during the fiscal quarter to which this report 
relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. In 
connection with our adoption of the new revenue recognition 
standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we expect to 
implement additional functionality within our enterprise-wide 
information technology system which could result in 
enhancements and modifications to related internal controls 
over financial reporting during fiscal 2018.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

68  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive 
Officers and Corporate 
Governance

Other than the information below, the information required by 
this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled 
Election of Directors and Stock Ownership Information in the 
Proxy Statement.

No nominee for director was selected pursuant to any 
arrangement or understanding between the nominee and 
any person other than the Company pursuant to which such 
person is or was to be selected as a director or nominee. See 
also the information about executive officers of the Company 
under Item 4A of Part I.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our 
executive officers, including the principal executive officer, 
principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. 
A copy of our Code of Conduct is posted on our Internet 
site at http://www.rockwellautomation.com under the 
“Investors” link. In the event that we amend or grant any 
waiver from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to 
the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or 
principal accounting officer and that requires disclosure under 
applicable SEC rules, we intend to disclose such amendment or 
waiver and the reasons therefor on our Internet site.

Item 11. Executive 
Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by 
reference to the sections entitled Executive Compensation, 
Election of Directors and Compensation Committee Report in 
the Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership 
of Certain Beneficial Owners 
and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Other than the information below, the information required by 
this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled 
Stock Ownership Information in the Proxy Statement.

The following table provides information as of September 30, 
2017 about our common stock that may be issued upon the 
exercise of options, warrants and rights granted to employees, 
consultants or directors under all of our existing equity 
compensation plans, including our 2012 Long-Term Incentives 
Plan, 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, 2000 Long-Term 
Incentives Plan and 2003 Directors Stock Plan.

Number of 
Securities to 
be issued upon 
Exercise of 
Outstanding 
Options, 
Warrants and 
Rights 
(a)

Weighted  
Average Exercise  
Price of 
Outstanding 
Options,  
Warrants and 
Rights 
(b)

4,292,975(1)

$108.10(2)

—
4,292,975

n/a
$108.10

Number of Securities 
Remaining Available for 
Future Issuance under 
Equity Compensation Plans  
(excluding Securities 
reflected in Column (a)) 
(c)

5,814,821(3)

—
5,814,821

Plan Category
Equity compensation plans  
approved by shareowners
Equity compensation plans not  
approved by shareowners
Total

(1)  Represents outstanding options and shares issuable in payment of outstanding performance shares (at maximum payout) and restricted stock 

units under our 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan, 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan and 2003 Directors Stock Plan.

(2)  Represents the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options and does not take into account the performance shares and 

restricted units.

(3)  Represents 5,584,383 and 230,438 shares available for future issuance under our 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan and our 2003 Directors Stock 

Plan, respectively.

www.rockwellautomation.com  69

Item 13. Certain 
Relationships and Related 
Transactions, and Director 
Independence

Item 14. Principal Accountant 
Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by 
reference to the section entitled Audit Matters in the 
Proxy Statement.

The information required by this Item is incorporated by 
reference to the sections entitled Election of Directors in the 
Proxy Statement.

70  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule

(a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedule and Exhibits

(1) Financial Statements (all financial statements listed below are those of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries)

Consolidated Balance Sheet, September 30, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statement of Operations, years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity, years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(2) Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

31
32
33
34
35
36
66

Page
S-1

Schedules not filed herewith are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the 
information called for is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits

3-a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 

10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.

3-b By-Laws of the Company, as amended and restated effective June 8, 2016, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K dated June 10, 2016, are hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-1 Indenture dated as of December 1, 1996 between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. 

(formerly JPMorgan Chase, successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, successor to Mellon Bank, N.A.), as Trustee, filed as 
Exhibit 4-a to Registration Statement No. 333-43071, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-2 Form of certificate for the Company’s 6.70% Debentures due January 15, 2028, filed as Exhibit 4-b to the Company’s 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-3 Form of certificate for the Company’s 5.20% Debentures due January 15, 2098, filed as Exhibit 4-c to the Company’s 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-4 Form of certificate for the Company’s 5.65% Notes due December 31, 2017, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-5 Form of certificate for the Company’s 6.25% Debentures due December 31, 2037, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-6 Form of certificate for the Company’s 2.050% Notes due March 1, 2020, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K dated February 17, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4-a-7 Form of certificate for the Company’s 2.875% Notes due March 1, 2025, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K dated February 17, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-a-1 Copy of the Company’s 2003 Directors Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 4-d to the Company’s Registration Statement on 

Form S-8 (No. 333-101780), is hereby incorporated by reference.

www.rockwellautomation.com  71

*10-a-2 Memorandum of Amendments to the Company’s 2003 Directors Stock Plan approved and adopted by the Board of 
Directors of the Company on April 25, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended June 30, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-a-3 Memorandum of Amendments to the Company’s 2003 Directors Stock Plan approved and adopted by the Board of 

Directors of the Company on November 7, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-a-4 Memorandum of Amendments to the Company’s 2003 Directors Stock Plan approved and adopted by the Board 

of Directors of the Company on September 3, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10-b-16 to the Company’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-a-5 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Section 6 of the Company’s 2003 Director’s Stock Plan, as amended, 

filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, is hereby 
incorporated by reference.

*10-a-6 Copy of the Company’s Directors Deferred Compensation Plan approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the 
Company on November 5, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended December 31, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-a-7 Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation and Benefits as of October 1, 2017, filed as Exhibit 10 to the 

Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-1 Copy of the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended through February 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10-e-1 

to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

*10-b-2 Memorandum of Proposed Amendments to the Rockwell International Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan 

approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on June 6, 2001, in connection with the spinoff 
of Rockwell Collins, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10-e-4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
September 30, 2001, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-3 Forms of Stock Option Agreements under the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10-e-6 to the 
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002, are hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-4 Memorandum of Amendments to the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to 

the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 7, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-5 Memorandum of Amendments to the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to 

the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 4, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-6 Memorandum of Proposed Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as 

amended, approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on November 7, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.4 
to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

*10-b-7 Forms of Stock Option Agreement under the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, for options 

granted to executive officers of the Company after December 1, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-b-8 Copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted December 5, 2007 and effective February 6, 
2008, amending the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-1 Copy of the Company’s 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended and restated through June 4, 2010, filed as 

Exhibit 99 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 10, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-2 Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Company’s 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the 

Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.

72  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

*10-c-3 Forms of Stock Option Agreement under the Company’s 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan for options granted to 

executive officers of the Company after December 1, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-4 Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Company’s 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, for options 

granted to executive officers of the Company after December 6, 2010, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-5 Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Company’s 2008 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended, for options 

granted to executive officers of the Company after November 30, 2011, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-6 Copy of the Company's 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan, as amended and restated through February 2, 2016, filed 

as Exhibit 4-c to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-209706), is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

*10-c-7 Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Company's 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan for options granted to 

executive officers of the Company after December 5, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-8 Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Company's 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan for shares of restricted 
stock awarded to executive officers of the Company after December 5, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-c-9 Form of Performance Share Agreement under the Company's 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan for performance shares 
awarded to executive officers of the Company after December 5, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-d Copy of resolutions of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors of 
the Company, adopted February 5, 2003, regarding the Corporate Office vacation plan, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-e-1 Copy of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated September 6, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10-f 
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

*10-e-2 Memorandum of Proposed Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan approved 
and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on November 7, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-f-1 Copy of the Company’s Annual Incentive Compensation Plan for Senior Executive Officers, as amended December 3, 
2003, filed as Exhibit 10-i-1 to the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2004, is hereby 
incorporated by reference.

*10-f-2 Copy of the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K 

dated September 7, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-g-1 Change of Control Agreement dated as of September 30, 2016 between the Company and Blake D. Moret, filed as 

Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 4, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-g-2 Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and each of Patrick P. Goris, Theodore D. Crandall, 

Frank C. Kulaszewicz and John P. McDermott and certain other corporate officers filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 4, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-g-3 Letter Agreement dated September 3, 2009 between the Company and Keith D. Nosbusch, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the 

Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 8, 2009, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-g-4 Letter Agreement dated September 3, 2009 between Registrant and Theodore D. Crandall, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the 

Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 8, 2009, is hereby incorporated by reference.

www.rockwellautomation.com  73

*10-g-5 Letter Agreement dated July 1, 2016 between Registrant and Blake D. Moret, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.

*10-g-6 Letter Agreement dated February 7, 2017 between Registrant and Patrick P. Goris, filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-h-1 Agreement and Plan of Distribution dated as of December 6, 1996, among Rockwell International Corporation 

(renamed Boeing North American, Inc.), the Company (formerly named New Rockwell International Corporation), 
Allen-Bradley Company, Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc., Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, Inc., Rockwell Light Vehicle 
Systems, Inc. and Rockwell Heavy Vehicle Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit l0-b to the Company’s Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-h-2 Post-Closing Covenants Agreement dated as of December 6, 1996, among Rockwell International Corporation 

(renamed Boeing North American, Inc.), The Boeing Company, Boeing NA, Inc. and the Company (formerly named 
New Rockwell International Corporation), filed as Exhibit 10-c to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarter ended December 31, 1996, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-h-3 Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of December 6, 1996, among Rockwell International Corporation (renamed Boeing 
North American, Inc.), the Company (formerly named New Rockwell International Corporation) and The Boeing 
Company, filed as Exhibit 10-d to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 
1996, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-i-l Distribution Agreement dated as of September 30, 1997 by and between the Company and Meritor Automotive, 

Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 1997, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

10-i-2 Employee Matters Agreement dated as of September 30, 1997 by and between the Company and Meritor Automotive, 

Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 1997, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

10-i-3 Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of September 30, 1997 by and between the Company and Meritor Automotive, 

Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 1997, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

10-j-1 Distribution Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998 by and between the Company and Conexant Systems, Inc., 

filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 1999, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

10-j-2 Amended and Restated Employee Matters Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998 by and between the Company 

and Conexant Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 1999, is 
hereby incorporated by reference.

10-j-3 Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998 by and between the Company and Conexant Systems, 

Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 1999, is hereby incorporated 
by reference.

10-k-1 Distribution Agreement dated as of June 29, 2001 by and among the Company, Rockwell Collins, Inc. and Rockwell 

Scientific Company LLC, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2001, is hereby 
incorporated by reference.

10-k-2 Employee Matters Agreement dated as of June 29, 2001 by and among the Company, Rockwell Collins, Inc. and 

Rockwell Scientific Company LLC, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2001, 
is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-k-3 Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of June 29, 2001 by and between the Company and Rockwell Collins, Inc., filed as 

Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2001, is hereby incorporated by reference.

74  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

10-l-1 $1,000,000,000 Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of March 24, 2015 among the Company, the Banks listed on the 

signature pages thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman 
Sachs Bank USA, as Syndication Agents, and The Bank of New York Mellon, BMO Harris Bank N.A., Citibank, N.A., 
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., The Northern Trust Company, PNC Bank National Association, U.S. Bank National 
Association, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agents, filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 27, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-l-2 First Amendment to Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of December 12, 2016 among the Company, the Banks 

signatory thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-m Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of August 24, 2005 by and between the Company and First Industrial 
Acquisitions, Inc., including the form of Lease Agreement attached as Exhibit I thereto, together with the First 
Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 and the Second Amendment to 
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 31, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10-p to the Company’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-n-1 Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2006, by and among Rockwell Automation, Inc., Rockwell Automation 
of Ohio, Inc., Rockwell Automation Canada Control Systems, Grupo Industrias Reliance S.A. de C.V., Rockwell 
Automation GmbH (formerly known as Rockwell International GmbH) and Baldor Electric Company, contained in the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 9, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference.

10-n-2 First Amendment to Purchase Agreement dated as of January 24, 2007 by and among Rockwell Automation, Inc., 

Rockwell Automation of Ohio, Inc., Rockwell Automation Canada Control Systems, Grupo Industrias Reliance S.A. de 
C.V., Rockwell Automation GmbH and Baldor Electric Company, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.

12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Five Years Ended September 30, 2017.

21 List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

24 Powers of Attorney authorizing certain persons to sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of certain directors 

and officers of the Company.

31.1 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act 

of 1934.

31.2 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act 

of 1934.

32.1 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 

of 2002.

32.2 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 

of 2002.

101

Interactive Data Files.

*  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

www.rockwellautomation.com  75

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to 
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

By 

/s/ PATRICK P. GORIS
Patrick P. Goris 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

Dated: November 15, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on the 15th day of 
November 2017 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

By

By

/s/ Patrick P. Goris
Patrick P. Goris 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ DaviD M. DorGan
David M. Dorgan 
Vice President and Controller 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Blake D. Moret*
President and 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 
and Director
Keith D. Nosbusch*
Chairman of the Board
Betty C. Alewine*
Director
J. Phillip Holloman*
Director
Steven R. Kalmanson*
Director
James P. Keane*
Director
Lawrence D. Kingsley*
Director
William T. McCormick, Jr.*
Director
Donald R. Parfet *
Director
Lisa A. Payne*
Director
Thomas W. Rosamilia*
Director
Patricia A. Watson*
Director

76  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

*By

/s/ Rebecca W. House
Rebecca W. House, Attorney-in-fact**

**By authority of powers of attorney filed herewith

SCHEDULE II

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years Ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(in millions)
Description
*Year ended September 30, 2017
Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
*Year ended September 30, 2016
Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
*Year ended September 30, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Additions

Balance at 
Beginning 
of Year

Charged to 
Costs and 
Expenses

Charged to 
Other 
Accounts

Deductions(b)

Balance at 
End of 
Year

$24.5
17.3

$24.8
22.2

$22.2
27.8

$5.0
1.5

$10.9
1.0

$8.1
2.5

$—
0.4

$—
0.6

$—
—

$4.6
0.6

$11.2
6.5

$5.5
8.1

$24.9
18.6

$24.5
17.3

$24.8
22.2

(a)  Includes allowances for current and other long-term receivables.

(b)  Consists of amounts written off for the allowance for doubtful accounts and adjustments resulting from our ability to utilize foreign tax credits, 

capital losses, or net operating loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance had previously been recorded.

*  Amounts reported relate to continuing operations in all periods presented.

www.rockwellautomation.com S-1(This page intentionally left blank.)INDEX TO EXHIBITS*

Exhibit No. Exhibit

12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Five Years Ended September 30, 2017.

21 List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

24 Powers of Attorney authorizing certain persons to sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of certain 

directors and officers of the Company.

31.1 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange 

Act of 1934.

31.2 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange 

Act of 1934.

32.1 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 

of 2002.

32.2 Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 

of 2002.

101 Interactive Data Files.

*  See Part IV, Item 15(a)(3) for exhibits incorporated by reference.

www.rockwellautomation.com  E-1

Exhibit 31.1

I, Blake D. Moret, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockwell Automation, Inc.;

CERTIFICATION

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 

fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f ) and 15d-15(f )) for the registrant and have:

a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 

under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, 
is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this 
report based on such evaluation; and

d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 

the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has 
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting 
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 15, 2017

/s/ Blake D. Moret
Blake D. Moret 
President and Chief  
Executive Officer

E-2  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

Exhibit 31.2

I, Patrick P. Goris, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockwell Automation, Inc.;

CERTIFICATION

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 

fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f ) and 15d-15(f )) for the registrant and have:

a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 

under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, 
is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this 
report based on such evaluation; and

d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 

the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has 
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting 
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 15, 2017

/s/ Patrick P. Goris
Patrick P. Goris 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

www.rockwellautomation.com  E-3

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, Blake D. Moret, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (the “Company”) certify, pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)  the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2017 (the “Report”) fully complies with 

the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of 

Exhibit 32.1

operations of the Company.

Date: November 15, 2017 

/s/ Blake D. Moret
Blake D. Moret 
President and Chief 
Executive Officer

E-4  ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 2017 Annual Report

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, Patrick P. Goris, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (the “Company”) certify, pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)  the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2017 (the “Report”) fully complies with 

the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of 

Exhibit 32.2

operations of the Company.

Date: November 15, 2017 

/s/ Patrick P. Goris
Patrick P. Goris 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

www.rockwellautomation.com  E-5

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