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Rockwell Automation

rok · NYSE Industrials
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Ticker rok
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Sector Industrials
Industry Industrial - Machinery
Employees 10,000+
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FY2019 Annual Report · Rockwell Automation
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2019
ANNUAL 
REPORT ON 
FORM 10-K

Rockwell Automation, Inc.
1201 South Second Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, USA

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One) 

(cid:53)   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019

OR

(cid:133)   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from _______ to _______

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 Second 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

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock ($1.00 par value)

ROK

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  (cid:53)  No  (cid:133)

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  (cid:133)  No  (cid:53)

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  (cid:53)  No  (cid:133)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes  (cid:53)  No  (cid:133)

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

(cid:53)
(cid:133)

Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company

(cid:133)
(cid:133)
(cid:133)

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. (cid:133)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes  (cid:133)  No  (cid:53)

The aggregate market value of registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of registrant on March 29, 2019 was approximately $21.7 billion.

115,546,942 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding on October 31, 2019.

Certain information contained in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of registrant to be held on February 4, 2020 is 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

ITEM 9.  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS  
WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING  
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 
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 
ITEM 16.   FORM 10-K SUMMARY 

SIGNATURES 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I 

BUSINESS 

ITEM 1.  
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS 
ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 
ITEM 2.  
ITEM 3.  
ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR  
ITEM 4A.  
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

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 

ITEM 8.  

DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND 
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 

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 

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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:

 (cid:122) 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;

 (cid:122) laws,  regulations  and  governmental  policies  affecting  our 
activities in the countries where we do business, including those 
related to tariffs, taxation, and trade controls; 

 (cid:122) the availability and price of components and materials; 

 (cid:122) the successful execution of our cost productivity initiatives; 

 (cid:122) the availability, effectiveness and security of our information 

technology systems; 

 (cid:122) our ability to manage and mitigate the risk related to security 
vulnerabilities and breaches of our products, solutions and 
services; 

 (cid:122) the successful development of advanced technologies and 
demand  for  and  market  acceptance  of  new  and  existing 
hardware and software products; 

 (cid:122) our ability to manage and mitigate the risks associated with our 

solutions and services businesses; 

 (cid:122) competitive hardware and software products, solutions and 
services and pricing pressures, and our ability to provide high 
quality products, solutions and services; 

 (cid:122) disruptions  to  our  distribution  channels  or  the  failure  of 
distributors to develop and maintain capabilities to sell our 
products; 

 (cid:122) the  successful  integration  and  management  of  strategic 
transactions and achievement of the expected benefits of these 
transactions; 

 (cid:122) a disruption of our business due to natural disasters, pandemics, 
acts of war, strikes, terrorism, social unrest or other causes; 

 (cid:122) intellectual property infringement claims by others and the 

ability to protect our intellectual property; 

 (cid:122) the uncertainty of claims by taxing authorities in the various 

jurisdictions where we do business; 

 (cid:122) our ability to attract, develop, and retain qualified personnel; 

 (cid:122) the uncertainties of litigation, including liabilities related to the 
safety and security of the hardware and software products, 
solutions and services we sell; 

 (cid:122) risks associated with our investment in common stock of PTC 
Inc., including the potential for volatility in our reported quarterly 
earnings associated with changes in the market value of such 
stock; 

 (cid:122) our ability to manage costs related to employee retirement and 

health care benefits; and

 (cid:122) 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”) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital 
transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the 
potential of technology  to expand what is humanly possible, 
making the world more productive and more sustainable. Our 
hardware and software 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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

3

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

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 wholly-owned and controlled majority-
owned 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.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

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  4,  2020  (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 Consolidated 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.

We have two operating segments: Architecture & Software and Control Products & Solutions. Both operating segments share a common 
sales organization and supply chain and conduct business globally. Major markets served by both segments consist of discrete end 
markets (e.g., Automotive, Semiconductor, and Warehousing & Logistics), hybrid end markets (e.g., Food & Beverage, and Life Sciences), 
and process end markets (e.g., Oil & Gas, Metals, and Chemicals).

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

We do business in more than 100 countries around the world. The largest sales outside the United States on a country-of-destination 
basis are in China, Canada, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Brazil. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of risks 
associated with our global operations.

COMPETITION

Our competitors range from large diversified corporations that may also have business interests outside of industrial automation to 
smaller companies that offer a limited portfolio of 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 hardware and software products, solutions and services, global presence and price. 
Major competitors 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 2019, 2018 and 2017 were approximately 
10 percent of our total sales.

EMPLOYEES

At September 30, 2019, we had approximately 23,000 employees. Approximately 8,600 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.

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

BACKLOG

Our total order backlog consists of (in millions):

Architecture & Software

Control Products & Solutions

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

September 30,

2019

174.7 $

1,194.7

1,369.4 $

2018

168.5

1,243.5

1,412.0

$

$

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 2020 were approximately $225 million as of September 30, 2019. Backlog was reclassified in 2018 
to conform to our current reportable segments. See Note 17 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Information about the effect of compliance with environmental protection requirements and resolution of environmental claims is 
contained in Note 16 in the Consolidated 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 hardware and software 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. We have received various claims 
of patent infringement and requests for patent indemnification. 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.

SEASONALITY

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 “ControlLogix®” and 
“CompactLogix®” for our control systems, “PowerFlex®” for our 
AC drives, and “Rockwell Software®” and “FactoryTalk®” for our 
software offerings.

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.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We maintain a website at https://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 https://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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

5

PART I
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

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 the Enterprise Risk Management - Integrated Framework (2017) 
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 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.

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.

We are subject to macroeconomic cycles and when recessions 
occur, we may experience reduced, canceled or delayed 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 hardware and software 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.

The  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate  (LIBOR)  is  the  basis  for 
determining the amount of our interest payments on borrowings 
under our $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. In 

6

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

addition, we have outstanding interest rate swaps that contain 
a variable element based on LIBOR. The U.K. Financial Conduct 
Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it intends 
to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. If LIBOR ceases to exist, 
we may need to amend certain agreements that use LIBOR as 
a benchmark and we cannot predict what alternative index or 
other amendments may be negotiated with our counterparties. 
As a result, our interest expense could increase and our available 
cash flow for general corporate requirements may be adversely 
affected. Additionally, uncertainty as to the nature of a potential 
discontinuance or modification of LIBOR, alternative reference 
rates or other reforms may materially adversely affect the trading 
market for securities linked to such benchmarks. For additional 
information, see Financial Condition in MD&A.

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 100 countries around the world. 
Approximately 46 percent of our sales in 2019 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 exports, imports, tariffs, 
embargoes and other trade restrictions, investments, taxation, 
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. The occurrence or 
consequences of these risks may make it more difficult to operate 
our business and increase our costs, which could decrease our 
profitability and have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

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. Our reliance on suppliers involves certain risks, 
including:

 (cid:122) poor quality or an insecure supply chain, which could adversely 
affect the reliability and reputation of our hardware and software 
products;

 (cid:122) changes in the cost of these purchases due to inflation, exchange 
rate fluctuations, taxes, tariffs, commodity market volatility or 
other factors that affect our suppliers;

 (cid:122) embargoes, sanctions and other trade restrictions that may 

affect our ability to purchase from various suppliers;

 (cid:122) intellectual property risks such as challenges to ownership of 

rights or alleged infringement by suppliers; and

PART I
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 (cid:122) shortages of components, commodities or other materials, 
which could adversely affect our manufacturing efficiencies 
and ability to make timely delivery of our products, solutions 
and services.

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 
of, or delivery delays for 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 alternative suppliers and establishing reliable 
supplies could cost more or result in delays and a loss of sales.

FAILURES OR SECURITY BREACHES OF OUR PRODUCTS, 
CONNECTED SERVICES, MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT, 
SUPPLY CHAIN, OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS 
COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.

We rely heavily on information technology (IT) in our hardware 
and  software  products,  solutions  and  services  for  customers, 
manufacturing environment, and in our enterprise infrastructure. 
Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT systems 
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, 
or sabotage. Our systems could be compromised by malware 
(including ransomware), cyber attacks, and other events, ranging 
from widespread, non-targeted, global cyber threats to targeted 
advanced persistent threats. Given that our hardware and software 
products and services are used in critical infrastructure, these 
threats could indicate increased risk for our products, services, 
manufacturing, and IT infrastructure. Recent global cyber attacks 
have been perpetuated by compromising software updates in widely-
used software products, increasing the risk that vulnerabilities or 
malicious content could be inserted into our products. In some cases, 
malware attacks were spread throughout the supply chain, moving 
from one company to the next via authorized network connections.

Our hardware and software products, solutions, and services are 
used by our direct and indirect customers in applications that may 
be subject to information theft, tampering, or sabotage. 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 hardware and software 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, including cloud providers, as 
part of our internal IT infrastructure and our commercial offerings. 
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 design our security 
architecture to reduce the risk that a compromise of our partners’ 
infrastructure, for example a cloud platform, could lead to a 
compromise of our internal systems or customer networks, but 
this risk cannot be eliminated and vulnerabilities at third parties 
could result in unknown risk exposure to our business.

The current cyber threat environment indicates increased risk for all 
companies, including those in industrial automation and information. 
Like other global companies, we have experienced cyber threats 
and incidents, although none have been material or had a material 
adverse effect on our business or financial condition. 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.

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 
hardware and software products that appeal to the changing needs 
and preferences of our customers in the various markets we serve. 
Developing new hardware and software 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 
and emerging technological and broader industry trends, demand 
for our products could decline.

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 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

7

PART I
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

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 do business in certain jurisdictions. 
Changes in these requirements could impact demand for our hardware 
and software products, solutions and services. Compliance with 
state, federal and foreign privacy regulations, such as the European 
Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), could increase 
our operating costs as part of our efforts to protect and safeguard 
our sensitive data and personal information. Failure to maintain 
information privacy could result in legal liability or reputational harm.

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 hardware and software product portfolio and solution and 
service offerings, technology differentiation, the domain expertise 
of our employees and partners, product performance, quality of our 
hardware and software 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 hardware and software 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 
hardware and software 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 RELY ON OUR DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL FOR A 
SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR SALES.

In North America, 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 
hardware and software 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 hardware and software 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.

FAILURE TO IDENTIFY, MANAGE, COMPLETE, AND 
INTEGRATE STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS MAY ADVERSELY 
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS OR WE MAY NOT ACHIEVE THE 
EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THESE TRANSACTIONS.

As part of our strategy, we may pursue strategic transactions, 
including acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, other business 
opportunities and purchases of technology from third parties. In 

order to be successful, we must identify attractive transaction 
opportunities, effectively complete the transaction, and manage 
post-closing matters, such as integration of the acquired business 
or technology (including related personnel) and cooperation with 
our joint venture and other strategic partners. We may not be 
able to identify or complete beneficial transaction opportunities 
given the intense competition for them. Even if we successfully 
identify and complete such transactions, we may not achieve the 
expected benefits of such transactions and we may not be able 
to successfully address risks and uncertainties inherent in such 
transactions, including:

 (cid:122) difficulties in integrating the purchased or new operations, 
technologies, products or services, retaining customers and 
achieving the expected benefits of the transaction, such as 
sales increases, access to technologies, cost savings and 
increases in geographic or product presence, in the desired 
time frames; 

 (cid:122) loss of key employees or difficulties integrating personnel; 

 (cid:122) legal and compliance issues; 

 (cid:122) difficulties implementing and maintaining consistent standards, 
financial systems, internal and other controls, procedures, 
policies and information systems;

 (cid:122) difficulties maintaining relationships with our joint venture 
and other strategic partners (including as a result of such joint 
venture and other strategic partners having differing business 
objectives) and managing disputes with such joint venture and 
other strategic partners that may arise in connection with our 
relationships with them; and 

 (cid:122) diversion  of  management’s  attention  from  other  business 

concerns.

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

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, power outages, fires, 
explosions, equipment failures, sabotage, 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.  Disruptions  to  our  IT 
infrastructure from system failures, shutdowns, power outages, 
telecommunication or utility failures, and other events, including 
disruptions at third party IT and other service providers, could 
also interfere with or disrupt our operations. Although it is not 
possible to predict such events or their consequences, these 
events could decrease demand for our hardware and software 
products, solutions or services, increase our costs, or make it 
difficult or impossible for us to deliver products, solutions or 
services.

8

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART I
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

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 CONDITION.

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 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 condition.

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, and the effective 
implementation of processes and technology to increase employee 
engagement, productivity, and efficiency. The skills, experience 
and industry knowledge of our employees significantly benefit our 
operations and performance. Difficulty attracting, developing, and 
retaining members of our management team and key employees 
with the necessary expertise, including by offering attractive 
compensation, benefits, and development opportunities, could 
have a negative effect on our business, operating results and 
financial condition. We continuously evaluate, modify, and enhance 
our internal processes and technologies to increase employee 
engagement, productivity, and efficiency, and to mitigate failure 
risks from older technologies currently in use. Failure to identify 
and successfully implement new processes and technologies could 
add costs and complications to ongoing operations and negatively 
impact employee engagement, productivity, and efficiency.

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 
hardware and software products, solutions and services we sell, 
employment, contract matters, and environmental remediation.

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 
proceeds make it difficult to predict the ultimate resolution of 
these lawsuits.

Our operations are subject to various environmental regulations 
concerning 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.

WE OWN COMMON STOCK IN PTC INC. AND ARE EXPOSED 
TO THE VOLATILITY, LIQUIDITY AND OTHER RISKS 
INHERENT IN HOLDING THAT STOCK.

We own common stock of PTC Inc. (PTC), a Nasdaq-listed company, 
that we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of approximately 
$1.0 billion. We present this investment on our Consolidated 
Balance  Sheet  at  its  fair  value  at  the  end  of  each  reporting 
period, less a valuation adjustment for periods ending prior to 
the registration of our shares of PTC common stock (Shares) under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on November 28, 2018, 
per a registration rights agreement entered into with PTC. The 
fair value of the Shares is subject to fluctuation in the future due 
to the volatility of the stock market, changes in general economic 
conditions, and the performance of PTC. We will recognize all 
changes in the fair value of the Shares (whether realized or 
unrealized) as gains or losses in our Consolidated Statement of 
Operations. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the Shares 
can materially impact the earnings we report, which introduces 
volatility in our earnings that is not associated with the results of 
our business operations. In particular, significant declines in the 
fair value of the Shares would produce significant declines in our 
reported earnings.

While there is an established trading market for shares of PTC 
common stock, there are limitations on our ability to dispose 
of  some  or  all  of  the  Shares  should  we  wish  to  reduce  our 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

9

PART I
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

investment. Until July 19, 2021, we are subject to contractual 
restrictions  on  our  ability  to  transfer  the  Shares,  subject 
to certain exceptions. In addition, we are subject to certain 
restrictions  on  our  ability  to  transfer  the  Shares  under  the 
securities laws. Further, the reported value of the Shares does 
not necessarily reflect their lowest current market price. If we 
were forced to sell some or all of the Shares in the market, there 
can be no assurance that we would be able to sell them at prices 
equivalent to the value of the Shares that we have reported on 
our Consolidated Balance Sheet, and we may be forced to sell 
them at significantly lower prices.

Finally, our equity position in PTC is a minority position which 
exposes us to further risk as we are not able to exert control 
over PTC.

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 plans depend on factors such as changes in 
market interest rates, the value of plan assets, mortality assumptions 
and healthcare trend rates. Significant unfavorable changes in these 
factors would increase our expenses. Expenses related to employer-
funded healthcare benefits depend on laws and regulations, which 
could change, as well as healthcare cost inflation. An inability 
to control costs related to employee and retiree benefits could 
negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

We  operate  manufacturing  facilities  in  the  United  States 
and multiple other countries. Manufacturing space occupied 
approximately 2.8 million square feet, of which 40 percent was in 
North America. 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, 2019:

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

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

The following table sets forth information regarding the manufacturing square footage of our principal locations as of September 30, 2019:

Location

Monterrey, Mexico

Mequon, Wisconsin, United States

Tecate, Mexico

Aarau, Switzerland

Twinsburg, Ohio, United States

Richland Center, Wisconsin, United States

Cambridge, Canada

Ladysmith, Wisconsin, United States

Katowice, Poland

Harbin, China

Shanghai, China

Jundiai, Brazil

Singapore

Manufacturing Square Footage

607,000

230,000

225,000

223,000

200,000

189,000

165,000

150,000

140,000

138,000

106,000

95,000

74,000

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. The square footage of a given manufacturing facility is not indicative of the sales 
contribution of the products manufactured there.

10

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART I
ITEM 4A. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required by this Item is contained in Note 16 in the Consolidated Financial Statements within the section entitled Other Matters.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4A.  INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

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, 2019 are:

Name, Office and Position, and Principal Occupations and Employment

Blake D. Moret

Chairman of the Board since January 1, 2018, and President and Chief Executive Officer since July 1, 2016; 
previously Senior Vice President

Sujeet Chand

Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Thomas Donato

Senior Vice President since January 1, 2019; previously President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (from 
2015-2018) and Vice President, Canada

David M. Dorgan

Vice President and Controller

Steven W. Etzel

Vice President and Treasurer

Elik I. Fooks

John A. Genovesi

Patrick P. Goris

Rebecca W. House

Karen L. Keegans

Senior Vice President since March 16, 2017; previously Vice President and General Manager, Sensing, 
Safety, and Connectivity Business

Senior Vice President since January 1, 2019; previously Vice President and General Manager, Information 
Software Business

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 7, 2017; previously Vice President, 
Finance, Architecture and Software and (from 2013-2015) Operations and Engineering Services, and (from 
July 2015) Vice President, Investor Relations

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)

Senior Vice President, Human Resources since January 7, 2019; previously Chief Human Resources Officer 
at Pentair PLC (diversified industrial manufacturer) (from 2016-2018) and Chief Human Resources Officer, 
Praxair, Inc. (industrial gas)

Frank C. Kulaszewicz

Senior Vice President

John M. Miller

Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel

Robert B. Murphy

Senior Vice President, Connected Enterprise Consulting since July 2, 2018; previously Senior Vice 
President, Operations and Engineering Services (from May 2016 - July 2018) and 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)

Ernest Nicolas

Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering Services since November 1, 2019; previously Vice 
President, Global Supply Chain (from July 2018 to November 2019), Vice President, Strategic Sourcing and 
Supply Management (from August 2015 to July 2018), Director, Strategic Sourcing (from February 2015 to 
August 2015), and Regional Director, Asia Pacific Manufacturing (January 2013 to February 2015)

Age

56

61

47

55

59

68

56

48

46

54

55

52

60

57

42

Francis S. Wlodarczyk

Senior Vice President since July 2, 2018; previously Vice President, Control and Visualization Business

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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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, $1 par value, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “ROK”, On October 31, 2019, 
there were 15,269 shareowners of record of our common stock.

COMPANY PURCHASES

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, 2019:

Period

July 1 – 31, 2019

August 1 – 31, 2019

September 1 – 30, 2019

TOTAL

Total Number of Shares 
Purchased(1)

Average Price Paid Per 
Share(2)

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

Maximum Approx. Dollar 
Value of Shares that May 
Yet Be Purchased Under the 
Plans or Programs(3)

527,125

461,030

434,830

1,422,985

$

161.25

150.97

161.71

158.06

527,125

461,030

434,830

1,422,985

$

1,248,327,129

1,178,723,296

1,108,405,228

(1)  All of the shares purchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2019 were acquired pursuant to the repurchase programs described in (3) below.
(2)  Average price paid per share includes brokerage commissions.
(3)  On  both  September  6,  2018  and  July  24,  2019,  the  Board  of  Directors  authorized  us  to  expend  $1.0  billion  to  repurchase  shares  of  our  common  stock.  Our 
repurchase programs allow 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.

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 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 (S&P 500 Index) and the 
S&P Electrical Components & Equipment Index for the period of 
five fiscal years from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019, 
assuming in each case a fixed investment of $100 at the respective 
closing prices on September 30, 2014 and reinvestment of all 
dividends.

12

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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

$
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

$167.66
$167.27

$147.68

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Fiscal Year Ended September 30

■

Rockwell Automation

S&P 500 Index

S&P Electrical
Components & Equipment

The cumulative total returns on Rockwell Automation Common Stock and each index as of each September 30, 2014 through 2019 
plotted in the above graph are as follows:

PART II
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

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.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

$

100.00 $

94.51 $

116.98 $

173.79 $

186.37 $

100.00

100.00

2.32

99.39

83.01

2.60

114.72

102.68

2.90

136.07

123.34

3.04

160.44

142.89

3.51

2019

167.66

167.27

147.68

3.88

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 Consolidated Financial Statements. The selected financial data below has been derived from our audited consolidated 
financial statements.

(in millions, except per share data)

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

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

$

6,694.8 $

6,666.0 $

6,311.3 $

5,879.5 $

6,307.9

98.2

695.8

5.88

5.83

3.88

73.0

535.5

4.27

4.21

3.51

76.2

825.7

6.42

6.35

3.04

71.3

729.7

5.60

5.56

2.90

63.7

827.6

6.15

6.09

2.60

$

6,113.0 $

6,262.0 $

7,161.7 $

7,101.2 $

6,404.7

300.5

1,956.4

404.2

551.0

1,225.2

1,617.5

600.4

1,243.4

2,663.6

448.6

1,516.3

1,990.1

$

132.8 $

125.5 $

141.7 $

116.9 $

126.2

26.0

136.4

28.2

138.7

30.2

143.3

28.9

—

1,500.9

2,256.8

122.9

133.1

29.4

(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. During fiscal 2018, we recorded a gain 
of $90 million due to a change in fair value of our investment in PTC, which is included within Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 
During fiscal 2018, we recorded charges of $538.3 million associated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. During fiscal 2019, we recorded 
a loss of $368.5 million due to a change in fair value of our investment in PTC, which is included within Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of 
Operations. Refer to Note 9 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our investment in PTC.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

13

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NON-GAAP MEASURES

LONG-TERM STRATEGY

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 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. is a global leader in industrial automation 
and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people 
with  the  potential  of  technology  to  expand  what  is  humanly 
possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. 
Overall demand for our hardware and software products, solutions 
and services is driven by:

 (cid:122) investments in manufacturing, including upgrades, modifications 
and expansions of existing facilities or production lines and new 
facilities or production lines;

 (cid:122) investments in basic materials production capacity, which may 

be related to commodity pricing levels;

 (cid:122) our customers’ needs for faster time to market, operational 
productivity, asset management and reliability, and enterprise 
risk management;

 (cid:122) our customers’ needs to continuously improve quality, safety 

and sustainability;

 (cid:122) 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;

 (cid:122) levels of global industrial production and capacity utilization;

 (cid:122) regional factors that include local political, social, regulatory 

and economic circumstances; and

 (cid:122) the spending patterns of our customers due to their annual 

budgeting processes and their working schedules.

Our  strategy  is  to  bring  The  Connected  Enterprise  to  life  by 
integrating control and information across the enterprise. We 
deliver customer outcomes by combining advanced industrial 
automation with the latest information technology. Our growth 
and performance strategy seeks to:

 (cid:122) achieve  organic  sales  growth  in  excess  of  the  automation 
market by expanding our served market and strengthening our 
competitive differentiation;

 (cid:122) grow market share of our core platforms;

 (cid:122) drive double digit growth in information solutions and connected 

services; 

 (cid:122) acquire companies that serve as catalysts to organic growth by 
increasing our information solutions and high-value services 
offerings and capabilities, expanding our global presence, or 
enhancing our process expertise;

 (cid:122) enhance our market access by building our channel capability 

and partner network;

 (cid:122) deploy  human  and  financial  resources  to  strengthen  our 
technology leadership and our intellectual capital business model;

 (cid:122) continuously improve quality and customer experience; and

 (cid:122) drive annual cost productivity.

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.

DIFFERENTIATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION 
AND DOMAIN EXPERTISE

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. Our 
information software portfolio, combined with the software made 
available as a result of our strategic alliance with PTC, is the most 

14

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

comprehensive and flexible information platform in the industry.  
Through the combination of this technology and our domain 
expertise we help customers to achieve additional productivity 
benefits, such as reduced unplanned downtime, improved energy 
efficiency, higher quality and increased throughput yield.

Intelligent motor control is one of our core competencies and an 
important aspect of an automation system. These hardware and 
software 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 46 percent of our sales are outside 
the U.S. We continue to expand our footprint in emerging markets.

As we expand in markets with considerable growth potential and 
shift our global footprint, we expect to continue to broaden the 
portfolio of hardware and software 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.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (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, which we group into three broad 
categories: discrete, hybrid, and process.

Discrete

Automotive

Semiconductor

General Industries

Warehousing & Logistics

Printing & Publishing

Marine

Glass

Fiber/Textiles

Airports

Aerospace

Other Discrete

Hybrid

Food & Beverage

Life Sciences

Household & Personal Care

Tire

Eco Industrial

Water / Wastewater

Mass Transit

Renewable Energy

Process

Oil & Gas

Mining, Aggregates & Cement

Metals

Chemicals

Pulp & Paper

Traditional Power

Other Process

OUTSOURCING AND SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS

Demand for our hardware and software 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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

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

In January 2019, we acquired Emulate3D, an innovative engineering 
software developer whose products digitally simulate and emulate 
industrial  automation  systems. This  acquisition  enables  our 
customers to virtually test machine and system designs before 
incurring manufacturing and automation costs and committing 
to a final design.

In 2018, we made several investments, including in shares of PTC 
common stock (the “PTC Shares”). PTC is the leader in the Industrial 
Internet of Things and augmented reality. Our investment in and 
alliance with PTC is accelerating growth for both companies and 
enabling us to be the partner of choice for customers around the 
world who want to transform their physical operations with digital 
technology. The result will be an unmatched integrated information 
solution  that  will  enable  customers  to  achieve  increased 
productivity, heightened plant efficiency, reduced operational risk 
and better system interoperability.

In November 2017, we acquired Odos Imaging Limited, a Scottish 
technology  company  that  provides  three-dimensional,  time-
of-flight sensing systems for industrial imaging applications. 
This acquisition enables us to expand our existing capabilities 
by bringing 3-D time-of-flight sensor technology to industrial 
applications.

We believe these acquisitions and investments 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 drive 
ongoing process improvement, functional streamlining, material 
cost savings and manufacturing productivity. 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.

U. S. INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIC TRENDS

In 2019, sales in the U.S. accounted for approximately 54 percent 
of our total sales. The various indicators we use to gauge the 
direction and momentum of our served U.S. markets include:

 (cid:122) 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.

 (cid:122) 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.

The table below depicts the trends in these indicators from fiscal 2017 
to 2019. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the IP Index improved 
slightly compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter in the 
prior year. PMI is now below 50 and decreased compared to the prior 
quarter and the same quarter in the prior year.

IP Index

PMI

Fiscal 2019 quarter ended:

September 2019

June 2019

March 2019

December 2018

Fiscal 2018 quarter ended:

September 2018

June 2018

March 2018

December 2017

Fiscal 2017 quarter ended:

September 2017

June 2017

March 2017

December 2016

109.5

109.2

109.8

110.3

109.3

107.9

106.7

106.1

104.2

104.4

103.0

102.2

47.8

51.7

55.3

54.3

59.5

60.0

59.3

59.3

60.2

56.7

56.6

54.3

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

NON-U.S. ECONOMIC TRENDS

In  2019,  sales  outside  the  U.S.  accounted  for  approximately 
46  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.

Macroeconomic indicators have slowed during 2019 and are 
projected to slow further in 2020, particularly in IP and gross 
domestic product growth rates. The economic outlook for Europe 
and China has softened further amid slowing global growth, trade 
tension with the U.S., and continued Brexit uncertainty. Overall 
Latin America IP is expected to increase.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In 2019, sales were $6,694.8 million, an increase of 0.4 percent 
year over year. Organic sales increased 2.8 percent. Currency 
translation decreased sales by 2.4 percentage points. Organic 
sales growth was broad-based across regions and was led by 
strength in process end markets.

16

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

 (cid:122) Logix reported sales decreased 2 percent year over year in 
2019 compared to 2018. Organic sales increased 1 percent, and 
currency translation decreased sales by 3 percentage points.

 (cid:122) Process control initiative reported sales increased 1 percent 
year  over  year  in  2019  compared  to  2018.  Organic  sales 
increased 4 percent, and currency translation decreased sales 
by 3 percentage points.

 (cid:122) Sales in emerging countries increased 1 percent year over year 
in 2019 compared to 2018. Organic sales in emerging countries 
increased 6 percent, and currency translation decreased sales 
in emerging countries by 5 percentage points.

The following table reflects our sales and operating results (in millions, except per share amounts):

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 and postretirement benefit credit (cost)

Costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

(Loss) gain on investments

Valuation adjustments related to the registration of PTC Shares

Gain on sale of business(3)

Interest (expense) income, net

Income before income taxes (c)

Income tax provision(4)

NET INCOME

DILUTED EPS

ADJUSTED EPS(5)

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE OUTSTANDING SHARES

Total segment operating margin(2) (b/a)

Pre-tax margin (c/a)

$

$

$

$

$

$

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2017

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,021.9

3,672.9

6,694.8

874.8

598.8

1,473.6

(16.6)

(108.8)

8.4

—

(402.2)

33.7

—

(87.1)

901.0

(205.2)

695.8

5.83

8.67

119.3

22.0%

13.5%

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,050.2

3,615.8

6,666.0

897.9

543.9

1,441.8

(17.4)

(100.0)

(23.8)

(11.2)

123.7

(33.7)

—

(48.6)

1,330.8

(795.3)

535.5

4.21

8.10

126.9

21.6%

20.0%

2,858.6

3,452.7

6,311.3

780.0

448.1

1,228.1

(21.4)

(95.9)

(77.6)

—

—

—

60.8

(56.6)

1,037.4

(211.7)

825.7

6.35

6.73

129.9

19.5%

16.4%

(1)  See Note 17 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the definition of segment operating earnings. Effective October 1, 2018, we realigned our reportable 
segments for a transfer of business activities between our segments. We also reclassified interest income from General corporate - net to Interest (expense) 
income - net. As a result, the prior period presentation of reportable segments has been restated to conform to the current segment reporting structure.

(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  and  postretirement  benefit  credit  (cost),  costs  related  to  the  unsolicited  Emerson  proposals  in 
the  first  quarter  of  fiscal  2018,  gains  and  losses  on  investments,  valuation  adjustments  related  to  the  registration  of  PTC  Shares,  gains  and  losses  from  the 
disposition of businesses, interest (expense) income - net 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)  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.

(4)  During fiscal 2018, we recorded charges of $538.3 million associated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). Refer to Note 15 in 

the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

(5)  Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP earnings measure that excludes non-operating pension and postretirement benefit  cost (credit), costs related to the unsolicited 
Emerson proposals in the first quarter of fiscal 2018,  gains and  losses on investments, and valuation adjustments related to  the registration of PTC Shares, 
including  their  respective  tax  effects  and  the  charges  associated  with  the  enactment  of  the  Tax  Act  in  fiscal  2018.  See  Adjusted  Income,  Adjusted  EPS  and 
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation for more information on this non-GAAP measure.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization and non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost 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 and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Architecture & Software

Control Products & Solutions

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2017

$

$

6.4

9.1

(5.4)

(8.5)

6.3

$

10.1

7.1

11.2

6.4

14.0

27.7

43.4

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 and postretirement benefit (credit) cost, costs related 
to  the  unsolicited  Emerson  proposals  in  the  first  quarter  of 
fiscal  2018,  gains  and  losses  on  investments,  and  valuation 
adjustments related to the registration of PTC Shares, including 
their respective tax effects, and the adjustments related to the 
Tax Act in fiscal 2018.

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.

We have adopted ASU 2017-07, which defines operating and 
non-operating pension and postretirement benefit cost. Under 
this new standard, only the service cost component of pension 
and postretirement benefit cost is an operating cost. All other 
components  of  pension  and  postretirement  benefit  cost  are 
considered to be non-operating costs. These components of net 
periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost primarily relate 
to changes in pension assets and liabilities that are the result of 
market performance; we consider these and other excluded costs 
to be unrelated to the operating performance of our business.

The following are the components of operating and non-operating pension and postretirement benefit cost (in millions):

Service cost

$

Operating pension and postretirement benefit cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

Amortization of prior service credit

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Settlements

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Year Ended September 30,

$

2019

79.1

79.1

160.6

(244.7)

(4.2)

78.7

1.2

(8.4)

$

2018

90.2

90.2

157.7

(244.8)

(4.9)

115.1

0.7

23.8

NET PERIODIC PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COST

$

70.7

$

114.0

$

2017

98.4

98.4

154.1

(225.2)

(9.8)

155.2

3.3

77.6

176.0

18

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following are reconciliations of net income, diluted EPS from net income and effective tax rate to Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS 
and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, respectively (in millions, except per share amounts and percentages):

Net Income

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Tax effect of non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

Tax effect of costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

Change in fair value of investments(1)

Tax effect of change in fair value of investments(1)

Effect of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of net deferred tax asset revaluation due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of withholding taxes on previously taxed foreign earnings due 
to the Tax Act(2)

ADJUSTED INCOME

Diluted EPS from net income

$

$

$

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Tax effect of non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

Tax effect of costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

Change in fair value of investments(1)

Tax effect of change in fair value of investments(1)

Effect of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of net deferred tax asset revaluation due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of withholding taxes on previously taxed foreign earnings due 
to the Tax Act(2)

Year Ended September 30,

2018

$

535.5

$

$

$

23.8

(7.5)

11.2

(3.1)

(90.0)

21.7

395.8

104.4

38.1

1,029.9

4.21

0.18

(0.06)

0.09

(0.02)

(0.71)

0.17

3.12

0.82

0.30

$

$

2019

695.8

(8.4)

1.0

—

—

368.5

(21.7)

—

—

—

1,035.2

5.83

(0.07)

0.01

—

—

3.08

(0.18)

—

—

—

ADJUSTED EPS

Effective tax rate

Tax effect of non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

Tax effect of costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

Tax effect of change in fair value of investments(1)

Effect of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of net deferred tax asset revaluation due to the Tax Act(2)

Effect of withholding taxes on previously taxed foreign earnings due 
to the Tax Act(2)

ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

$

8.67

$

8.10

$

22.8%

0.1%

—%

(5.0)%

—%

—%

—%

17.9%

59.8%

0.3%

0.1%

(0.4)%

(29.8)%

(7.9)%

(2.8)%

19.3%

2017

825.7

77.6

(28.0)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

875.3

6.35

0.60

(0.22)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

6.73

20.4%

1.1%

—%

—%

—%

—%

—%

21.5%

Includes loss (gain) on investments and valuation adjustments related to the registration of PTC Shares.

(1) 
(2)  During fiscal year 2019, the Company completed its analysis of the impact of the Tax Act with no change to the provisional amounts recorded in fiscal year 2018. 

See Note 15 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

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PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2019 COMPARED TO 2018

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Sales

Income before income taxes

Diluted EPS

Adjusted EPS

SALES

2019

2018

$

6,694.8

$

6,666.0

$

901.0

5.83

8.67

1,330.8

4.21

8.10

Change

28.8

(429.8)

1.62

0.57

Sales in fiscal 2019 increased 0.4 percent compared to 2018. Organic sales increased 2.8 percent. Currency translation decreased sales 
by 2.4 percentage points. Including price increases relating to tariffs, pricing contributed less than two percentage points to growth.

The table below presents our sales, attributed to the geographic regions based upon country of destination, for the year ended 
September 30, 2019 and the percentage change from the same period a year ago:

(in millions, except percentages)

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

TOTAL SALES

Year Ended
September 30, 2019

Change vs. 
Year Ended
September 30, 2018

Change in Organic
Sales(1) vs. 
Year Ended
September 30, 2018

$

$

4,014.3

1,249.8

908.6

522.1

6,694.8

1.3%

(2.9)%

(2.6)%

8.4%

0.4%

1.6%

2.9%

1.7%

14.2%

2.8%

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

information on this non-GAAP measure. 

 (cid:122) Sales in North America increased year over year, led by strength 
in process end markets, specifically Oil & Gas, and Pulp & Paper.

 (cid:122) EMEA sales decreased year over year, primarily as a result of 
currency translation. Organic sales increased, led by strength 
in hybrid and process end markets, specifically Life Sciences 
and Tire. 

 (cid:122) Asia Pacific sales decreased year over year, primarily as a 
result of currency translation. Organic sales increased, led by 
strength in process end markets, specifically in Oil & Gas, Mass 
Transit, and Water / Wastewater, partially offset by weakness 
in Semiconductor. 

 (cid:122) Sales in Latin America increased year over year, led by process 

end markets, including Mining and Oil & Gas.

GENERAL CORPORATE - NET

General corporate - net expenses were $108.8 million in fiscal 
2019 compared to $100.0 million in fiscal 2018.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes decreased 32 percent from $1,330.8 
million in 2018 to $901.0 million in 2019, primarily due to gains 
and losses on investments and valuation adjustments related to 

the registration of PTC Shares (“PTC adjustments”). Total segment 
operating earnings increased 2 percent year over year from 
$1,441.8 million in 2018 to $1,473.6 million in 2019.

INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate in 2019 was 22.8 percent compared to 59.8 
percent in 2018. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily 
due to the prior year impact of tax expense related to the transition 
tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings ($395.8 million 
or 29.8 percent), withholding taxes on previously taxed foreign 
earnings ($38.1 million or 2.8 percent), the revaluation of net 
deferred tax assets resulting from the Tax Act ($104.4 million or 
7.9 percent), and the impact of the lower U.S. statutory tax rate 
under the Tax Act.

The  Adjusted  Effective  Tax  Rate  in  2019  was  17.9  percent 
compared to 19.3 percent in 2018. The decrease in the Adjusted 
Effective Tax Rate was primarily due to the lower U.S. statutory 
tax rate under the Tax Act.

See  Note  15  in  the  Consolidated  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 2019 
and 2018 affecting each year’s respective tax rates.

20

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ARCHITECTURE & SOFTWARE

The  Architecture  &  Software  operating  segment  contains  a 
comprehensive portfolio of automation and information platforms, 
including hardware and software. This integrated portfolio is 
capable of controlling our customers’ industrial processes and 
manufacturing, as well as providing connections to enterprise 
business systems.

Our automation platform is multi-discipline and scalable with 
the ability to handle applications in discrete, batch/hybrid and 
continuous  process,  drives  control,  motion  control,  machine 

safety and process safety. Our products include programmable 
automation  controllers,  design,  visualization  and  simulation 
software,  human  machine  interface  products,  networking 
products, industrial computers, sensing devices, machine safety 
devices, motion control products, and independent cart technology 
products.

Our  information  platform  includes  manufacturing  execution 
system software and analytics software that enables customers 
to  improve  operational  productivity  and  meet  regulatory 
requirements. This platform enables enterprise visibility, reduction 
of unplanned downtime, and optimization of processes.

(in millions, except percentages)

Sales

Segment operating earnings

Segment operating margin

SALES

Architecture & Software sales decreased 0.9 percent in 2019 
compared to 2018. Organic sales increased 1.5 percent, the effects 
of currency translation decreased sales by 2.5 percentage points, 
and the current year acquisition increased sales by 0.1 percentage 
points. All regions experienced reported sales declines, except 
for Asia Pacific. Organic sales growth was led by Asia Pacific and 
EMEA. Logix reported sales decreased 2 percent in 2019 compared 
to 2018. Logix organic sales increased 1 percent, and the effects 
of currency translation decreased sales by 3 percentage points.

OPERATING MARGIN

Architecture & Software segment operating earnings decreased 
3 percent. Operating margin was 28.9 percent in 2019 compared 
to 29.4 percent in 2018.

CONTROL PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

The Control Products & Solutions operating segment combines a 
comprehensive portfolio of intelligent motor control and industrial 
control products, value-added solutions and a complete portfolio 

(in millions, except percentages)

Sales

Segment operating earnings

Segment operating margin

SALES

Control Products & Solutions sales increased 1.6 percent in 2019 
compared to 2018. Organic sales increased 3.8 percent, and the 
effects of currency translation decreased sales by 2.2 percentage 
points. Control Products & Solutions experienced reported and 
organic sales growth, led by North America and Latin America.

Product sales decreased 1 percent year over year. Product organic 
sales increased 1 percent, and currency translation decreased 
sales by approximately 2 percentage points.

2019

2018

$

3,021.9

$

3,050.2

$

874.8

28.9%

897.9

29.4%

Change

(28.3)

(23.1)

(0.5) pts

of professionally delivered lifecycle services. This comprehensive 
portfolio includes:

 (cid:122) Low and medium voltage electro-mechanical and electronic 
motor starters and AC/DC variable frequency drives, motor 
control and circuit protection devices, operator devices, signaling 
devices, termination and protection devices, relays and timers 
and electrical control accessories.

 (cid:122) Value-added solutions ranging from pre-configured line to 
load power solutions, packaged drives, motor control centers, 
intelligent packaged power and engineered to order automation 
equipment solutions. 

 (cid:122) Professional lifecycle services combine technology and domain 
expertise to help maximize customers’ automation investment 
and  provide  total  lifecycle  support  as  they  design,  build, 
sustain and optimize their automation investments. This broad 
portfolio includes safety, security and digital transformation 
consulting, global automation and information project delivery 
capabilities, plant network, cloud, and cybersecurity services, 
asset management and predictive analytics, and remote, on-site 
and managed support services. 

2019

2018

$

3,672.9

$

3,615.8

$

598.8

16.3%

543.9

15.0%

Change

57.1

54.9

1.3 pts

Sales  in  our  solutions  and  services  businesses  increased 
approximately 3 percent year over year. Organic sales in our 
solutions and services businesses increased 6 percent during 
2019, and currency translation decreased sales by approximately 
3 percentage points.

OPERATING MARGIN

Control  Products  &  Solutions  segment  operating  earnings 
increased 10 percent year over year. Segment operating margin 
was 16.3 percent in 2019 compared to 15.0 percent a year ago, 
primarily due to higher sales.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

21

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2018 COMPARED TO 2017

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Sales

Income before income taxes

Diluted EPS

Adjusted EPS

SALES

2018

2017

Change

$

6,666.0

$

6,311.3

$

1,330.8

4.21

8.10

1,037.4

6.35

6.73

354.7

293.4
(2.14)

1.37

Sales in fiscal 2018 increased 5.6 percent compared to 2017. Organic sales increased 5.5 percent. Currency translation increased 
sales by 1.4 percentage points, and the 2017 divestiture reduced sales by 1.3 percentage points. Pricing contributed about half of 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, 2018 and the percentage change from the same period a year ago:

(in millions, except percentages)

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

TOTAL SALES

Year Ended
September 30, 2018

Change vs.
Year Ended
September 30, 2017

Change in Organic
Sales(1) vs.
Year Ended
September 30, 2017

$

$

3,964.1

1,286.8

933.3

481.8

6,666.0

4.3%

7.8%

7.7%

7.2%

5.6%

6.0%

0.8%

5.4%

14.3%

5.5%

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

information on this non-GAAP measure.

 (cid:122) Sales in North America increased year over year, led by strength 

in heavy industries.

 (cid:122) EMEA  sales  increased  year  over  year,  led  by  consumer 

industries.

 (cid:122) Asia  Pacific  sales  increased  year  over  year,  led  by  heavy 

industries. 

 (cid:122) Sales in Latin America increased year over year, led by the food 

and beverage and mining industries. 

GENERAL CORPORATE - NET

General corporate - net expenses were $100.0 million in fiscal 
2018 compared to $95.9 million in fiscal 2017.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes increased 28 percent from $1,037.4 
million in 2017 to $1,330.8 million in 2018, primarily due to PTC 
adjustments,  higher  sales,  and  lower  restructuring  charges, 
partially offset by the absence of the gain on the 2017 divestiture. 
Total segment operating earnings increased 17 percent year over 
year from $1,228.1 million in 2017 to $1,441.8 million in 2018, 
primarily due to higher sales.

INCOME TAXES

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted. The Tax Act 
significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering 

the statutory corporate income tax rate, implementing a modified 
territorial tax system, and imposing a one-time transition tax on 
accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were previously 
deferred from U.S. tax (“transition tax”). As a fiscal year taxpayer, 
certain provisions of the Tax Act impacted us in fiscal year 2018, 
including the change in the federal statutory rate and the transition 
tax, while other provisions were effective in fiscal year 2019, 
including the tax on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”) of 
foreign subsidiaries, the deduction of foreign derived intangible 
income (“FDII”), and the elimination of the domestic manufacturing 
deduction.

The effective tax rate in 2018 was 59.8 percent compared to 
20.4  percent  in  2017.  The  increase  in  the  effective  tax  rate 
was due to provisional expense related to the transition tax on 
deemed repatriation of foreign earnings ($395.8 million or 29.8 
percent), withholding taxes on previously taxed foreign earnings 
($38.1 million or 2.8 percent), and the revaluation of net deferred 
tax assets ($104.4 million or 7.9 percent).

The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate in 2018 was 19.3 percent compared 
to 21.5 percent in 2017. The decrease in the Adjusted Effective Tax 
Rate was primarily due to the lower U.S. statutory tax rate under 
the Tax Act partially offset by lower discrete tax items in 2018.

See  Note  15  in  the  Consolidated  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 2018 
and 2017 affecting each year’s respective tax rates.

22

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ARCHITECTURE & SOFTWARE

(in millions, except percentages)

Sales

Segment operating earnings

Segment operating margin

SALES

Architecture & Software sales increased 6.7 percent in 2018 
compared to 2017. Organic sales increased 5.1 percent, the effects 
of currency translation increased sales by 1.6 percentage points. 
All regions experienced reported and organic sales growth. The 

OPERATING MARGIN

2018

2017

$

3,050.2

$

2,858.6

$

897.9

29.4%

780.0

27.3%

Change

191.6

117.9

2.1 pts

United States was the strongest performing region. Logix reported 
sales increased 8 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Logix organic 
sales increased 7 percent, and the effects of currency translation 
increased sales by 1 percentage point.

Architecture & Software segment operating earnings increased 15 percent. Operating margin was 29.4 percent in 2018 compared to 
27.3 percent in 2017, primarily due to higher sales.

CONTROL PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

(in millions, except percentages)

Sales

Segment operating earnings

Segment operating margin

SALES

Control Products & Solutions sales increased 4.7 percent in 2018 
compared to 2017. Organic sales increased 5.8 percent, the effect 
of currency translation increased sales by 1.3 percentage points, 
and the 2017 divestiture reduced sales by 2.4 percentage points. 
All regions experienced reported and organic sales growth, except 
for EMEA. The United States was the strongest performing region.

Product sales decreased 2 percent year over year. Product organic 
sales increased 2 percent, currency translation increased sales 
by approximately 1 percentage point, and the 2017 divestiture 
reduced sales by approximately 5 percentage points.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

2018

2017

$

3,615.8

$

3,452.7

$

543.9

15.0%

448.1

13.0%

Change

163.1

95.8

2.0 pts

Sales  in  our  solutions  and  services  businesses  increased 
approximately 10 percent year over year. Organic sales in our 
solutions and services businesses increased 9 percent during 
2018, and currency translation contributed 1 percentage point to 
sales growth.

OPERATING MARGIN

Control  Products  &  Solutions  segment  operating  earnings 
increased 21 percent year over year. Segment operating margin 
was 15.0 percent in 2018 compared to 13.0 percent in 2017, 
primarily due to higher sales.

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 PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2017

$

$

1,182.0

$

1,300.0

$

1,034.0

225.0

(985.9)

(21.5)

(170.4)

(1,888.9)

(32.8)

399.6

$

(792.1)

$

(516.7)

(649.6)

16.8

(115.5)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

23

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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

Cash provided by continuing operating activities

Capital expenditures

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 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.

Cash provided by operating activities was $1,182.0 million for the 
year ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1,300.0 million for the 
year ended September 30, 2018. Free cash flow was $1,049.2 million  
for the year ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1,174.5 
million for the year ended September 30, 2018. The year-over-
year decreases in cash provided by operating activities and free 
cash flow were primarily due to an increase in working capital, 
a payment due to settlement of treasury locks, and higher tax 
payments, including a payment for taxes under the Tax Act related 
to deemed repatriation of foreign earnings.

We repurchased approximately 6.1 million shares of our common 
stock under our share repurchase program in 2019 at a total cost 
of $1.0 billion. In 2018, we repurchased approximately 8.3 million 
shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program 
at a total cost of $1.5 billion. At September 30, 2019, there were 
$9.3 million of outstanding common stock share repurchases 
recorded in accounts payable that did not settle until 2020. At 
September 30, 2018, there were $18.3 million of outstanding 
common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable 
that did not settle until 2019. Our decision to repurchase shares 
in  2020  will  depend  on  business  conditions,  free  cash  flow 
generation, other cash requirements and stock price. On both 
September 6, 2018 and July 24, 2019, the Board of Directors 
authorized us to expend an additional $1.0 billion to repurchase 
shares of our common stock. At September 30, 2019, we had 
approximately $1,108.4 million remaining for share repurchases 
under our existing board authorizations. See Part II, Item 5. Market 
for the Company’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and 

Year Ended September 30,

2019

1,182.0

(132.8)

1,049.2

$

$

2018

1,300.0

(125.5)

1,174.5

$

$

$

$

2017

1,034.0

(141.7)

892.3

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 and other inorganic 
investments, dividends to shareowners, repurchases of common 
stock and repayments of debt. We expect capital expenditures in 
2020 to be about $160 million. 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.

At September 30, 2019, approximately half of our cash and cash 
equivalents were held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. As a result of 
the broad changes to the U.S. international tax system under the 
Tax Act, in fiscal year 2018 the Company began to account for 
substantially all of its non-U.S. subsidiaries as being immediately 
subject to tax, while still concluding that earnings are indefinitely 
reinvested for a limited number of subsidiaries.

During fiscal 2019, we repatriated approximately $767.3 million to 
the U.S. from our foreign subsidiaries. The source of these funds 
was cash and cash equivalents and from the liquidation of short 
and long-term investments.

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.

In March 2019, we issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount 
of long-term notes in a registered public offering. The offering 
consisted of $425.0 million of 3.500% notes due in March 2029 
(“2029 Notes”) and $575.0 million of 4.200% notes due in March 
2049 (“2049 Notes”), both issued at a discount. Net proceeds to 
the Company from the debt offering were $987.6 million. We used 
these net proceeds primarily to repay our outstanding commercial 
paper, with the remaining proceeds used for general corporate 
purposes.

Our  short-term  debt  obligations  are  primarily  comprised  of 
commercial paper borrowings. There were no commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2019. Commercial 
paper borrowings were $550.0 million at September 30, 2018. 
The weighted average interest rate of the commercial paper 
outstanding was 2.27 percent at September 30, 2018.

On  November  13,  2018,  we  replaced  our  former  five-year 
$1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a new five-
year $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility expiring in 

24

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

November 2023. We can increase the aggregate amount of this 
credit facility by up to $750.0 million, subject to the consent of 
the banks in the credit facility. We did not incur early termination 
penalties in connection with the termination of the former credit 
facility. We did not borrow against either facility during the periods 
ended September 30, 2019 or 2018. Borrowings under the new 
credit facility bear interest based on short-term money market 
rates in effect during the period the borrowings are outstanding. 
This credit facility contains covenants under which we agree to 
maintain an EBITDA-to-interest ratio of at least 3.0 to 1.0. The 
EBITDA-to-interest ratio is defined in the credit facility as the ratio 
of consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the facility) for the preceding 
four quarters to consolidated interest expense for the same period.

LIBOR is the basis for determining interest payments on borrowings 
under  our  $1.25  billion  credit  facility.  In  addition,  we  have 
outstanding interest rate swaps that contain a variable element 
based on LIBOR. Banks currently reporting information used to 
set LIBOR will stop doing so after 2021. Various parties, including 
government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate to 
replace LIBOR. We are monitoring their efforts, and we will likely 

amend contracts to accommodate any replacement rate where it 
is not already provided.

Separate short-term unsecured credit facilities of approximately 
$217.1 million at September 30, 2019 were available to non-U.S. 
subsidiaries. Borrowings under our non-U.S. credit facilities at 
September 30, 2019 and 2018 were not significant. We were 
in  compliance  with  all  covenants  under  our  credit  facilities 
at  September  30,  2019  and  2018.  There  are  no  significant 
commitment fees or compensating balance requirements under 
our credit facilities.

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, 2019:

Credit Rating Agency

Standard & Poor’s

Moody’s

Fitch Ratings

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 exposure to any 
one of these entities. In February 2017, we began investing in 
investment-grade fixed income securities, including corporate 
debt and government obligations, to provide further diversification. 
Refer to Note 9 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for 
further discussion of these investments. 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 

Short Term Rating

Long Term Rating

Outlook

A-1

P-2

F1

A

A3

A

Stable

Stable

Stable

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 $459.8 million in 2019 ($3.88 
per common share), $440.8 million in 2018 ($3.51 per common 
share) and $390.7 million in 2017 ($3.04 per common share). 
Our quarterly dividend rate as of September 30, 2019 is $0.97 
per common share ($3.88 per common share annually), which is 
determined at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

25

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

A summary of our projected contractual cash obligations at September 30, 2019 is as follows (in millions):

Total

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

Payments by Period

Long-term debt and interest(a)

$

4,461.3 $

394.5 $

92.0 $

92.0 $

92.0 $

92.0 $

3,698.8

Minimum operating lease payments

Postretirement benefits(b)

Pension funding contribution(c)

Purchase obligations(d)

Other long-term liabilities(e)

Transition tax(f)

Unrecognized tax benefits(g)

341.9

60.7

32.2

448.1

98.0

355.9

23.2

90.6

7.4

32.2

361.8

9.6

28.7

—

72.6

6.2

—

60.0

—

31.2

—

51.8

5.9

—

13.4

—

31.2

—

36.7

26.4

5.6

—

5.6

—

31.1

—

5.3

—

5.5

—

58.4

—

63.8

30.3

—

1.8

—

175.3

—

TOTAL

$ 5,821.3 $

924.8 $

262.0 $

194.3 $

171.0 $

187.6 $

3,970.0

(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 $7.0 million fair value adjustment recorded for the 
interest rate swap contracts at September 30, 2019 and the unamortized discount of $46.6 million at September 30, 2019. See Note 6 in the Consolidated 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  2020  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  2020  are  excluded  from  the  summary  above,  as  we  are  unable  to  make  a  reasonably  reliable  estimate  of  these  amounts. 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. Included in this amount is $250 million paid to Schlumberger in connection with the formation of Sensia on October 1, 2019. 

(e)  Other long-term liabilities include environmental remediation costs, conditional asset retirement obligations and indemnification liabilities. Amounts subsequent 

to 2020 are excluded from the summary above, as we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of when the liabilities will be paid.

(f)  Under the Tax Act, the Company may elect to pay the transition tax interest-free over eight years, with 8% due in each of the first five years, 15% in year six, 20% 

in year seven, and 25% in year eight. 

(g)  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.

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.

26

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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

Year Ended September 30, 2019

Year Ended September 30, 2018

Effect of
Changes in
Currency

Sales

Sales
Excluding
Changes in
Currency

North America

$ 4,014.3 $

13.7 $

4,028.0 $

Europe, Middle East and Africa

1,249.8

Asia Pacific

Latin America

908.6

522.1

74.7

40.7

28.2

1,324.5

949.3

550.3

Effect of
Acquisitions

Organic
Sales
(1.5) $ 4,026.5
(0.4)
(0.3)

1,324.1

949.0

—

550.3

Sales

Effect of 
Divestitures

Sales 
Excluding 
Divestitures

$ 3,964.1 $

— $

3,964.1

1,286.8

933.3

481.8

—

—

—

1,286.8

933.3

481.8

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$ 6,694.8 $

157.3 $

6,852.1 $

(2.2) $ 6,849.9

$ 6,666.0 $

— $

6,666.0

Year Ended September 30, 2018

Year Ended September 30, 2017

Effect of
Changes in
Currency

Sales

Sales
Excluding
Changes in
Currency

North America

$ 3,964.1 $

Europe, Middle East and Africa

1,286.8

Asia Pacific

Latin America

933.3

481.8

(9.6) $
(83.7)
(19.8)

22.9

3,954.5 $

1,203.1

913.5

504.7

Effect of
Acquisitions

Organic
Sales

Sales

Effect of 
Divestitures

— $ 3,954.5

$ 3,801.8 $

(69.8) $

—

—

—

1,203.1

1,193.7

913.5

504.7

866.4

449.4

—

—
(8.0)

Sales 
Excluding 
Divestitures

3,732.0

1,193.7

866.4

441.4

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$ 6,666.0 $

(90.2) $

6,575.8 $

— $ 6,575.8

$ 6,311.3 $

(77.8) $

6,233.5

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

Year Ended September 30, 2019

Year Ended September 30, 2018

Effect of
Changes in
Currency

Sales

Sales
Excluding
Changes in
Currency

Effect of
Acquisitions

Organic
Sales

Sales

Effect of 
Divestitures

Sales 
Excluding 
Divestitures

Architecture & Software

$ 3,021.9 $

76.5 $

3,098.4 $

(2.2) $ 3,096.2

$ 3,050.2 $

— $

3,050.2

Control Products & Solutions

3,672.9

80.8

3,753.7

—

3,753.7

3,615.8

—

3,615.8

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$ 6,694.8 $

157.3 $

6,852.1 $

(2.2) $ 6,849.9

$ 6,666.0 $

— $

6,666.0

Year Ended September 30, 2018

Year Ended September 30, 2017

Effect of
Changes in
Currency

Sales

Sales
Excluding
Changes in
Currency

Effect of
Acquisitions

Organic
Sales

Sales

Effect of 
Divestitures

Sales 
Excluding 
Divestitures

Architecture & Software

$ 3,050.2 $

Control Products & Solutions

3,615.8

(46.1) $
(44.1)

3,004.1 $

3,571.7

— $ 3,004.1

$ 2,858.6 $

— $

2,858.6

—

3,571.7

3,452.7

(77.8)

3,374.9

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$ 6,666.0 $

(90.2) $

6,575.8 $

— $ 6,575.8

$ 6,311.3 $

(77.8) $

6,233.5

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 Consolidated Financial Statements 
for information regarding our significant accounting policies.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

27

PART II
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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 2019 was $72.0 million compared to 
$114.1 million in 2018. Approximately 76 percent of our 2019 global 

pension expense and global projected benefit obligation relates 
to our U.S. pension plan. The discount rate used to determine our 
2019 U.S. pension expense was 4.35 percent, compared to 3.90 
percent for 2018.

For 2020, our U.S. discount rate will decrease to 3.30 percent 
from  4.35  percent  in  2019.  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.

The changes in our discount rate has an inverse relationship with our net periodic benefit cost and 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 discount rate for our U.S. pension plans (in millions):

Discount rate

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

Pension Benefits

Change in  
Projected 
Benefit  
Obligation

Change in Net  
Periodic 
Benefit  
Cost(1)

$

141.1

$

14.7

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

returns, rebates and incentives in our Consolidated Balance Sheet 
or, where a right of setoff exists, as a reduction of Receivables.

REVENUE RECOGNITION — CUSTOMER INCENTIVES

We offer various incentive programs that provide distributors 
and direct sale customers with cash rebates, account credits or 
additional hardware and software 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 hardware and software products, 
solutions and services to be provided. We record accruals at the 
time of revenue recognition as a current liability within Customer 

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 $12.0 million.

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

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 in the Consolidated 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.

28

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

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 denominated 
in currencies of major industrial countries. The fair value of 
our foreign currency forward exchange contracts is an asset of 
$28.1 million and a liability of $5.6 million at September 30, 2019. 
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 2019, the relative strengthening of the 
U.S. dollar against foreign currencies had an unfavorable impact 
on  our  sales  and  results  of  operations.  In  2018,  the  relative 
weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies had a 
favorable 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 2019 levels.

Certain of our locations have assets and liabilities denominated 
in currencies other than their functional currencies. We enter 

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. There were no commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2019. Commercial 
paper borrowings were $550.0 million at September 30, 2018, 
with  a  weighted  average  interest  rate  of  2.27  percent  and 
weighted average maturity period of 26 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.

We had outstanding fixed rate long-term and current portion of 
long-term debt obligations with a carrying value of $2,256.9 million 
at September 30, 2019 and $1,225.2 million at September 30, 2018. 
The fair value of this debt was approximately $2,680.9 million 
at September 30, 2019 and $1,391.3 million at September 30, 
2018. The potential increase in fair value on such fixed-rate debt 

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 $23 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 2019, 2018 or 2017. 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.

obligations from a hypothetical 50 basis point decrease in market 
interest rates would not be significant to our results of operations 
or financial condition. 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 
2.576 percent for the 2020 Notes and 2.986 percent for the 2025 
Notes at September 30, 2019. The fair value of our interest rate 
swap contracts at September 30, 2019 was a net unrealized gain 
of $7.0 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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

29

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

Long-term investments

Other assets

TOTAL

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Short-term debt

Current portion of long-term debt

Accounts payable

Compensation and benefits

Contract liabilities

Customer returns, rebates and incentives

Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Retirement benefits

Other liabilities

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 16)

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: 2019, 65.7; 2018, 60.3)

Total shareowners’ equity

TOTAL

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

30

September 30,

2019

2018 

$

1,018.4

$

39.6

1,178.7

575.7

173.3

2,985.7

571.9

1,071.1

194.1

364.1

793.9

132.2

618.8

290.9

1,190.1

581.6

149.3

2,830.7

576.8

1,075.5

215.2

179.6

1,288.0

96.2

$

6,113.0

$

6,262.0

$

— $

551.0

300.5

694.6

239.0

275.6

199.2

227.9

1,936.8

1,956.4

1,231.9

583.7

181.4

1,709.1

6,440.2

(1,488.0)

(6,438.5)

404.2

—

713.4

289.4

249.9

206.6

226.6

2,236.9

1,225.2

605.1

577.3

181.4

1,681.4

6,198.1

(941.9)

(5,501.5)

1,617.5

$

6,113.0

$

6,262.0

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 14)

Interest expense

Income before income taxes

Income tax provision (Note 15)

NET INCOME

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average outstanding shares:

Basic

Diluted

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018 

2017

$

5,938.5

$

5,930.5

$

5,628.9

756.3

6,694.8

(3,313.6)

(481.1)

(3,794.7)

2,900.1

(1,538.5)

(362.4)

(98.2)

901.0

(205.2)

695.8

5.88

5.83

118.3

119.3

$

$

$

735.5

6,666.0

(3,327.5)

(453.6)

(3,781.1)

2,884.9

(1,587.9)

106.8

(73.0)

1,330.8

(795.3)

535.5

4.27

4.21

125.4

126.9

$

$

$

682.4

6,311.3

(3,216.2)

(427.2)

(3,643.4)

2,667.9

(1,557.6)

3.3

(76.2)

1,037.4

(211.7)

825.7

6.42

6.35

128.4

129.9

$

$

$

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

31

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN MILLIONS)

Net income

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan adjustments  
(net of tax benefit (expense) of $150.0, ($87.2) and ($159.3))

Currency translation adjustments

Net change in cash flow hedges (net of tax benefit (expense) of $5.5, ($6.6) and $2.8)

Net change in available-for-sale investments

Other comprehensive (loss) income

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018 

$

695.8

$

535.5

$

2017

825.7

(475.6)

268.9

312.8

(55.3)

(17.4)

2.2

(546.1)

(48.3)

18.8

(2.1)

237.3

57.2

(10.3)

(0.1)

359.6

$

149.7

$

772.8

$

1,185.3

32

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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
Change in fair value of investments

Share-based compensation expense
Retirement benefit expense
Pension contributions
Deferred income taxes
Gain on sale of business
Net loss on disposition of property
Settlement of treasury locks
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and foreign 
currency adjustments:

Receivables
Inventories
Accounts payable
Contract liabilities
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 provided by (used for) investing activities

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

Cash used for financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Increase (decrease) 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.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018 

2017

$

695.8

$

535.5

$

825.7

126.2
26.0
368.5

43.1
70.7
(30.9)
(29.0)
—
1.8
(35.7)

(10.4)
(4.9)
14.5
12.1
(45.2)
(18.8)
(1.8)
1,182.0

(132.8)
(20.7)
(5.1)
312.8
66.3
—
4.5
225.0

(551.0)
987.6
—
(459.8)
(1,009.0)
47.4
(1.1)
(985.9)
(21.5)
399.6
618.8
1,018.4

$

136.4
28.2
(90.0)

38.5
114.0
(50.3)
170.5
—
2.5
—

(91.7)
(37.4)
67.2
12.9
22.4
426.7
14.6
1,300.0

(125.5)
(9.9)
(1,296.9)
1,106.1
155.3
—
0.5
(170.4)

200.6
—
(250.0)
(440.8)
(1,482.3)
81.8
1.8
(1,888.9)
(32.8)
(792.1)
1,410.9
618.8

$

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

$

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

33

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Common 
stock

Additional 
paid-in 
capital

Retained 
earnings

Accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
income/(loss)

Common 
stock in 
treasury, at 
cost

Total 
shareowners’ 
equity

Balance at September 30, 2016

$

181.4

$

1,588.2

$

5,668.4

$

(1,538.8)

$

(3,909.1)

$

1,990.1

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued (including share 
based compensation impact)

Treasury stock/other
Cash dividends declared(1)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

49.8

—

—

825.7

—

—

—

(390.7)

—

359.6

—

—

—

—

—

166.4

(337.3)

—

825.7

359.6

216.2

(337.3)

(390.7)

Balance at September 30, 2017

$

181.4

$

1,638.0

$

6,103.4

$

(1,179.2)

$

(4,080.0)

$

2,663.6

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued (including share 
based compensation impact)

Treasury stock/other
Cash dividends declared(1)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

43.4

—

—

535.5

—

—

—

(440.8)

—

237.3

—

—

—

—

—

79.0

535.5

237.3

122.4

(1,500.5)

—

(1,500.5)

(440.8)

Balance at September 30, 2018

$

181.4

$

1,681.4

$

6,198.1

$

(941.9)

$

(5,501.5)

$

1,617.5

—

(546.1)

—

—

—

—

—

63.0

695.8

(546.1)

90.7

(1,000.0)

(1,000.0)

—

(459.8)

6.1

404.2

—
(1,488.0)

$

—
(6,438.5)

$

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued (including share 
based compensation impact)

Treasury stock/other
Cash dividends declared(1)

Adoption of accounting standard

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

27.7

—

—

—

695.8

—

—

—

(459.8)

6.1

Balance at September 30, 2019

$

181.4

$ 1,709.1

$

6,440.2

$

(1)  Cash dividends were $3.88 per share in 2019; $3.51 per share in 2018; and $3.04 per share in 2017.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

34

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Rockwell  Automation,  Inc.  (“Rockwell  Automation”  or  “the 
Company”) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital 
transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the 
potential of technology  to expand what is humanly possible, 
making the world more productive and 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; 
discount valuation of PTC Inc. (“PTC”) common stock; 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

On October 1, 2018, we adopted the new standard on revenue from 
contracts with customers using the modified retrospective method 
applied to contracts that were not completed as of October 1,  
2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 
2018 are presented under the new standard, while prior period 
amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in 
accordance with the previous standard. See Note 2 for our revenue 
recognition policy under the new standard. Our policy under the 
previous standard is as follows:

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

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 hardware and software 
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 hardware and 
software 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 or 
service, 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 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

35

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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.

RETURNS, REBATES AND INCENTIVES

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 hardware and software 
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 are presented on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet as a right of return asset and refund liability. Incentives in 
the form of rebates are estimated at the individual customer level 
and are recorded as a reduction of sales. Accruals for incentives in 
the form of additional hardware and software products, solutions 
and services are accounted for as an increase to other cost of 
sales and may accelerate or defer our revenue recognition.

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.

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  recorded  net  of  an  allowance  for  doubtful 
accounts of $17.4 million at September 30, 2019 and $17.1 million 
at September 30, 2018. In addition, receivables are recorded 
net of an allowance for certain customer returns, rebates and 
incentives of $12.4 million at September 30, 2019 and $8.7 million 
at September 30, 2018.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are recorded 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.

36

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

INVESTMENTS

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

PROPERTY

Property, including internal-use software, is recorded 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 10 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 $26.4 million, $43.2 million and $29.6 million 
were accrued within accounts payable and other current liabilities 
at September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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 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.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

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 and use treasury locks to manage our potential change in 
interest rates in anticipation of our fixed rate 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.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We record various financial instruments recorded at fair value. 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:

Level 2:

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets 
or liabilities.

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.

We hold financial instruments consisting of cash and short-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 also hold financial instruments consisting of long-term debt, 
investments and derivatives. The valuation methodologies for 
these financial instruments are described in Notes 6, 9, 10, and 13.  
The methods described in these Notes 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.

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 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.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

We expense research and development (R&D) costs as incurred; 
these costs were $378.9 million in 2019, $371.8 million in 2018 
and $348.2 million in 2017. 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 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

37

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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, 2019 (1.8 million shares), 2018 
(0.9 million shares) and 2017 (0.7 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

$

$

2019

695.8

(0.7)

695.1

118.3

0.9

0.1

119.3

$

$

2018

535.5

(0.5)

535.0

125.4

1.3

0.2

126.9

5.88

5.83

$

$

4.27

4.21

$

$

2017

825.7

(0.9)

824.8

128.4

1.2

0.3

129.9

6.42

6.35

$

$

$

$

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 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.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING 
PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) 
issued a new standard, referred to as Accounting Standards 
Codification  (ASC)  606,  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 

38

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

services. The new standard also requires 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  adopted  the  new  revenue  standard  using  the  modified 
retrospective transition method, which resulted in an adjustment 
to the opening balance of retained earnings as of October 1, 2018, 
our adoption date. The information for periods prior to our adoption 
date has not been restated and continues to be reported under 
the accounting standards in effect for the period presented. See 
Note 2 for additional accounting policies and transition disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued a new standard regarding the 
presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit 

cost. 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. 
We adopted the new standard as of October 1, 2018, and applied 
the standard retrospectively. As a result of applying the pension 
standard retrospectively, the following adjustments were made to 
the Consolidated Statement of Operations (in millions):

Year Ended September 30, 2018

Year Ended September 30, 2017

As  
Reported

Impact of 
adoption

As  
Restated

As 
Reported

Impact of 
adoption

As  
Restated

Cost of sales

Products and solutions

$

(3,338.6) $

11.1 $

(3,327.5)

$

(3,254.3) $

38.1 $

(3,216.2)

Services

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Other income (expense)

(455.2)

(3,793.8)

2,872.2

(1,599.0)

130.6

1.6

12.7

12.7

11.1

(23.8)

(453.6)

(3,781.1)

2,884.9

(1,587.9)

106.8

(432.8)

(3,687.1)

2,624.2

(1,591.5)

80.9

5.6

43.7

43.7

33.9

(427.2)

(3,643.4)

2,667.9

(1,557.6)

(77.6 )

3.3

Effective October 1, 2018, we realigned our reportable segments 
for a transfer of business activities between our segments. We 
also reclassified interest income from General corporate - net 
to Interest (expense) income - net. As a result, the prior period 
presentation of reportable segments has been restated to conform 
to the current segment reporting structure. These changes did not 
impact the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 17 for 
additional information about the restatements.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING 
PRONOUNCEMENTS

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. We adopted the new standard using 

the modified retrospective transition method, which resulted 
in  a  cumulative-effect  adjustment  to  the  opening  balance  of 
retained earnings as of October 1, 2019, our adoption date. The 
cumulative impact of adopting the new standard is expected to 
be immaterial. The estimated amount of lease right-of-use assets 
and corresponding lease liabilities expected to be recorded in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet upon adoption is approximately 
$305 million to $335 million. We have implemented necessary 
changes to accounting policies, processes, controls and systems 
to enable compliance with this new standard.

In February 2018, the FASB issued a new standard regarding the 
reporting of comprehensive loss, which gives entities the option 
to reclassify tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 
(the “Tax Act”) stranded in accumulated other comprehensive loss 
into retained earnings. We adopted the new standard as of October 1,  
2019  and  elected  to  reclassify  tax  effects  of  approximately 
$147 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss into 
retained earnings.

NOTE 2.  REVENUE RECOGNITION

ADOPTION

On October 1, 2018, we adopted the new standard on revenue from contracts with customers using the modified retrospective method 
applied to contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2018 are 
presented under the new standard, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with 
the previous standard.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

39

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

As a result of applying the modified retrospective method, the following adjustments were made to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as 
of October 1, 2018 (in millions):

September 30, 2018

Impact of Adoption

October 1, 2018

ASSETS

Current assets:

Receivables

Other current assets

Deferred income taxes

Other assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Contract liabilities

Customer returns, rebates and incentives

Other current liabilities

Shareowners’ equity:

Retained earnings

$

$

1,190.1

$

4.5

$

149.3

179.6

96.2

17.7

1.2

11.4

249.9

$

18.7

$

206.6

226.6

6,198.1

4.4

5.6

6.1

1,194.6

167.0

180.8

107.6

268.6

211.0

232.2

6,204.2

We  recorded  a  net  increase  to  opening  retained  earnings  of 
$6.1 million as of October 1, 2018, which reflects the cumulative 
impact of adopting the new standard. The primary drivers of the 
impact to retained earnings were changes to the capitalization and 
deferral of certain contract costs and the timing of revenue, net 
of costs, for software licenses bundled with services and projects 
previously accounted for on a completed contract basis. This 
impact was partially offset by a deferral of revenue, net of costs, 
related to the allocation of revenue to hardware and software 
products and services provided to our customers free of charge 
as incentives.

NATURE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Substantially all of our revenue is from contracts with customers. 
We recognize revenue as promised products are transferred to, or 
services are performed for, customers in an amount that reflects 
the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange 
for those products and services. Our offerings consist of industrial 
automation and information products, solutions and services. Our 
products include hardware and software. Our solutions include 
engineered-to-order  and  custom-engineered  systems.  Our 
services include customer technical support and repair, asset 
management and optimization consulting, and training. Also 
included in our services is a portion of revenue related to spare 
parts that are managed within our services offering.

Our operations are comprised of the Architecture & Software 
segment and the Control Products & Solutions segment. See 
Note 17 for more information.

In  North  America,  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.

PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS

We  use  executed  sales  agreements  and  purchase  orders  to 
determine the existence of a customer contract.

For each customer contract, we determine if the products and 
services promised to the customer are distinct performance 
obligations. A product or service is distinct if both of the following 
criteria are met at contract inception: (i) the customer can benefit 
from the product or service on its own or together with other 
readily available resources, and (ii) our promise to transfer the 
product or perform the service is separately identifiable from 
other promises in the contract. The fact that we regularly sell a 
product or service separately is an indicator that the customer can 
benefit from a product or service on its own or with other readily 
available resources.

The objective when assessing whether our promises to transfer 
products or perform services are distinct within the context of 
the contract is to determine whether the nature of the promise 
is to transfer each of those products or perform those services 
individually, or whether the promise is to transfer a combined 
item or items to which the promised products or services are 
inputs. If a promised product or service is not distinct, we combine 
that product or service with other promised products or services 
until it comprises a bundle of products or services that is distinct, 
which may result in accounting for all the products or services in 
a contract as a single performance obligation.

For each performance obligation in a contract, we determine 
whether the performance obligation is satisfied over time. A 
performance obligation is satisfied over time if it meets any of 
the following criteria: (i) the customer simultaneously receives 
and consumes the benefits provided by our performance as we 
perform, (ii) our performance creates or enhances an asset that 
the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced, or 

40

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

(iii) our performance does not create an asset for which we have 
an alternative use and we have an enforceable right to payment 
for performance completed to date. If one or more of these criteria 
are met, then we recognize revenue over time using a method that 
depicts performance. If none of the criteria are met, then control 
transfers to the customer at a point in time and we recognize 
revenue at that point in time.

Our products represent standard, catalog products for which 
we have an alternative use, and therefore we recognize revenue 
at a point in time when control of the product transfers to the 
customer. For the majority of our products, control transfers 
upon shipment, though for some contracts control may transfer 
upon delivery. Our product revenue also includes revenue from 
software licenses. When these licenses are determined to be 
distinct  performance  obligations,  we  recognize  the  related 
revenue at a point in time when the customer is provided the 
right to use the license. Product-type contracts are generally 
one year or less in length.

We offer a wide variety of solutions and services to our customers, 
for which we recognize revenue over time or at a point in time 
based on the contract as well as the type of solution or service. 
If one or more of the three criteria above for over-time revenue 
recognition are met, we recognize revenue over time as cost 
is incurred, as work is performed, or based on time elapsed, 
depending on the type of customer contract. If none of these 
criteria are met, we recognize revenue at a point in time when 
control of the asset being created or enhanced transfers to the 
customer, typically upon delivery. More than half of our solutions 
and services revenue is from contracts that are one year or less 
in length. For certain solutions and services offerings, when 
we have the right to invoice our customers in an amount that 
corresponds to our performance completed to date, we apply the 
practical expedient to measure progress and recognize revenue 
based on the amount for which we have the right to invoice the 
customer.

When assessing whether we have an alternative use for an asset, 
we consider both contractual and practical limitations. These 
include: (i) the level and cost of customization of the asset that is 
required to meet a customer’s needs, (ii) the activities, cost, and 
profit margin after any rework that would be required before the 
asset could be directed for another use, and (iii) the portion of the 
asset that could not be reworked for an alternative use.

At times we provide products and services free of charge to our 
customers as incentives when the customers purchase other 
products  or  services.  These  represent  distinct  performance 
obligations. As such, we allocate revenue to them based on relative 
standalone selling price.

Most of our global warranties are assurance in nature and do 
not represent distinct performance obligations. See Note 8 for 
additional information and disclosures. We occasionally offer 
extended warranties to our customers that are considered a 
distinct performance obligation, to which we allocate revenue 
which is recognized over the extended warranty period.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

We account for shipping and handling activities performed after 
control of a product has been transferred to the customer as a 
fulfillment cost. As such, we have applied the practical expedient 
and we accrue for the costs of shipping and handling activities if 
revenue is recognized before contractually agreed shipping and 
handling activities occur.

UNFULFILLED PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS

As of September 30, 2019, we expect to recognize approximately 
$485  million  of  revenue  in  future  periods  from  unfulfilled 
performance obligations from existing contracts with customers. 
We expect to recognize revenue of approximately $310 million of 
our remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months 
with the remaining balance recognized thereafter.

We have applied the practical expedient to exclude the value of 
remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original 
term of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize 
revenue in proportion to the amount we have the right to invoice 
for services performed. The amounts above also do not include 
the impact of contract renewal options that are unexercised as of 
September 30, 2019.

TRANSACTION PRICE

The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which we 
expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring products to, or 
performing services for, a customer. We estimate the transaction 
price at contract inception, and update the estimate each reporting 
period for any changes in circumstances. In some cases a contract 
may involve variable consideration, including rebates, credits, 
allowances  for  returns  or  other  similar  items  that  generally 
decrease the transaction price. We use historical experience to 
estimate variable consideration, including any constraint.

The  transaction  price  (including  any  discounts  and  variable 
consideration) is allocated between separate products and services 
based on their relative standalone selling prices. The standalone selling 
prices are determined based on the prices at which we separately 
sell each good or service. For items that are not sold separately, we 
estimate the standalone selling price using available information such 
as market reference points and other observable data.

We have elected the practical expedient to exclude sales taxes and 
other similar taxes from the measurement of the transaction price.

SIGNIFICANT PAYMENT TERMS

Our standard payment terms vary globally but do not result in 
a significant delay between the timing of invoice and payment. 
We  occasionally  negotiate  other  payment  terms  during  the 
contracting  process.  We  do  not  typically  include  significant 
financing components in our contracts with customers. We have 
elected the practical expedient to not adjust the transaction price 
for the period between transfer of products or performance of 
services and customer payment if expected to be one year or less.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

41

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

For most of our products, we invoice at the time of shipment and 
we do not typically have significant contract balances. For our 
solutions and services as well as some of our products, timing may 
differ between revenue recognition and billing. Depending on the 
terms agreed to with the customer, we may invoice in advance of 
performance or we may invoice after performance. When revenue 
recognition exceeds billing we recognize a receivable, and when 
billing exceeds revenue recognition we recognize a contract liability.

DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE

The following series of tables present our revenue disaggregation 
by geographic region and types of products or services, and also 
present these disaggregation categories for our two operating 
segments. We attribute sales to the geographic regions based on 
the country of destination.

The following reflects the disaggregation of our revenues by operating segment and by geographic region (in millions):

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Asia Pacific

Latin America

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

Year Ended September 30, 2019

Architecture & 
Software

Control 
Products & 
Solutions

$

1,752.1

$

2,262.2

$

654.2

426.4

189.2

595.6

482.2

332.9

Total

4,014.3

1,249.8

908.6

522.1

$

3,021.9

$

3,672.9

$

6,694.8

The following reflects the disaggregation of our revenues by operating segment and by major types of products or services (in millions):

Products

Solutions & Services

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

CONTRACT BALANCES

Year Ended September 30, 2019

Architecture & 
Software

Control 
Products & 
Solutions

$

$

3,021.9

—

3,021.9

$

$

1,469.1

2,203.8

3,672.9

$

$

Total

4,491.0

2,203.8

6,694.8

Contract liabilities primarily relate to consideration received in advance of performance under the contract. We do not have significant 
contract assets as of September 30, 2019.

Below is a summary of our contract liabilities balance:

Balance as of beginning of fiscal year

Balance as of end of period

September 30, 2019

$

268.6

275.6

The most significant changes in our contract liabilities balance 
during the twelve months ended September 30, 2019 were due 
to amounts billed, partially offset by revenue recognized that 
was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning 
of the period.

In the twelve months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized 
revenue of approximately $248.0 million that was included in the 
opening contract liabilities balance. We did not have a material 
amount  of  revenue  recognized  in  the  twelve  months  ended 
September 30, 2019 from performance obligations satisfied or 
partially satisfied in previous periods.

COSTS TO OBTAIN AND FULFILL A CONTRACT

We capitalize and amortize certain incremental costs to obtain 
and fulfill contracts. These costs primarily consist of incentives 
paid to sales personnel, which are considered incremental costs 
to obtain customer contracts. We elected the practical expedient to 
expense incremental costs to obtain a contract when the contract 
has a duration of one year or less. Our capitalized contract costs, 
which are included in other assets in our Consolidated Balance 
Sheet, are not significant. There was no impairment loss in relation 
to capitalized costs in the period.

42

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

DUAL REPORTING

In accordance with ASC 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption to the Consolidated Balance Sheet was as follows (in millions):

ASSETS

Current assets:

Receivables

Other current assets

Deferred income taxes

Other assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Contract liabilities

Customer returns, rebates and incentives

Other current liabilities

Shareowners’ equity:

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

September 30, 2019

As reported

Impact of 
Adoption

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
ASC 606

$

1,178.7

$

(3.0)

$

1,175.7

173.3

364.1

132.2

(15.9)

(1.2)

(10.2)

$

275.6

$

(19.7)

$

199.2

227.9

6,440.2

(1,488.0)

(1.7)

(4.0)

(5.3)

0.4

157.4

362.9

122.0

255.9

197.5

223.9

6,434.9

(1,487.6)

In accordance with ASC 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption to the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows 
(in millions):

Sales

Products and solutions

Services

Cost of sales

Products and solutions

Services

Income tax provision

Year Ended September 30, 2019

As reported

Impact of 
Adoption

$

5,938.5

$

7.1

$

756.3

(16.1)

(3,313.6)

(481.1)

(205.2)

(8.3)

18.6

(0.5)

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
ASC 606

5,945.6

740.2

(3,321.9)

(462.5)

(205.7)

In accordance with ASC 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was as 
follows (in millions):

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Currency translation adjustments

Year Ended September 30, 2019

As reported

Impact of 
Adoption

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
ASC 606

$

695.8

$

0.8

$

696.6

(55.3)

0.4

(54.9)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

43

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

In accordance with ASC 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows was as follows 
(in millions):

Operating activities:

Net income

Deferred income taxes

Receivables

Contract liabilities

Income taxes

Other assets and liabilities

Year Ended September 30, 2019

As reported

Impact of 
Adoption

$

695.8

$

(29.0)

(10.4)

12.1

(18.8)

(1.8)

0.8

0.1

(1.5)

(2.6)

(2.1)

5.3

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
ASC 606

$

696.6

(28.9)

(11.9)

9.5

(20.9)

3.5

In accordance with ASC 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption to the Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity was as 
follows (in millions):

Retained earnings

Beginning balance

Net income

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income

NOTE 3.   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were (in millions):

Balance as of September 30, 2017

Acquisition of businesses

Translation

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

Acquisition of business

Translation

Year Ended September 30, 2019

As reported

Impact of 
Adoption

$

6,204.2

$

(6.1)

$

695.8

(1,488.0)

0.8

0.4

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
ASC 606

6,198.1

696.6

(1,487.6)

Architecture &
Software

Control
Products &
Solutions

Total

$

417.2

$

660.5

$

1,077.7

6.8

(1.7)

422.3

14.6

(4.6)

—

(7.3)

653.2

—

(14.4)

6.8

(9.0)

1,075.5

14.6

(19.0)

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

$

432.3

$

638.8

$

1,071.1

44

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

September 30, 2019

Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$

190.6

$

128.3

$

110.5

110.4

31.4

10.6

453.5

43.7

69.2

69.5

26.4

9.7

303.1

—

TOTAL

$

497.2

$

303.1

$

Amortized intangible assets:

Computer software products

Customer relationships

Technology

Trademarks

Other

Total amortized intangible assets

Allen-Bradley® trademark not subject to amortization

September 30, 2018

Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$

190.9

$

118.1

$

112.9

106.8

32.0

11.2

453.8

43.7

66.2

64.0

24.0

10.0

282.3

—

TOTAL

$

497.5 $

282.3 $

Net

62.3

41.3

40.9

5.0

0.9

150.4

43.7

194.1

Net

72.8

46.7

42.8

8.0

1.2

171.5

43.7

215.2

Computer  software  products  represent  costs  of  computer 
software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed. Computer 
software products amortization expense was $10.4 million in 2019, 
$11.8 million in 2018 and $9.8 million in 2017.

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 2019 and concluded that these assets are 
not impaired.

Estimated  amortization  expense  is  $23.4  million  in  2020, 
$22.6  million in 2021, $19.9 million in 2022, $18.7 million in 2023 
and $16.8 million in 2024.

NOTE 4. 

INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of (in millions):

Finished goods

Work in process

Raw materials

INVENTORIES

September 30,

2019

223.7

$

178.4

173.6

575.7 $

2018

224.3

180.0

177.3

581.6

$

$

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

45

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTE 5.  PROPERTY, NET

Property consists of (in millions):

Land

Buildings and improvements

Machinery and equipment

Internal-use software

Construction in progress

Total

Less accumulated depreciation

PROPERTY, NET

NOTE 6.  LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of (in millions):

2.050% notes, payable in March 2020

2.875% notes, payable in March 2025

6.70% debentures, payable in January 2028

3.500% notes, payable in March 2029

6.25% debentures, payable in December 2037

4.200% notes, payable in March 2049

5.20% debentures, payable in January 2098

Unamortized discount, capitalized lease obligations and other

Total

Less current portion

LONG-TERM DEBT

In March 2019, we issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount 
of long-term notes in a registered public offering. The offering 
consisted of $425.0 million of 3.500% notes due in March 2029 
(“2029 Notes”) and $575.0 million of 4.200% notes due in March 
2049 (“2049 Notes”), both issued at a discount. Net proceeds to the 
Company from the debt offering were $987.6 million. We used these 
net proceeds primarily to repay our outstanding commercial paper, 
with the remaining proceeds used for general corporate purposes.

We entered into treasury locks to manage the potential change 
in interest rates in anticipation of the issuance of $1.0 billion of 
fixed rate debt in March 2019. Treasury locks are accounted for as 
cash flow hedges. The effective differentials paid on these treasury 
locks was initially recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Loss, net of tax effect.

As a result of the changes in the interest rates on the treasury 
locks between the time we entered into the treasury locks and 
the time we priced and issued the 2029 Notes and 2049 Notes, 

46

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

September 30,

2019

$

4.1

$

373.8

1,154.5

489.5

116.0

2,137.9

(1,566.0)

2018

5.3

359.6

1,164.2

497.8

111.3

2,138.2

(1,561.4)

$

571.9 $

576.8

September 30,

2019

$

299.4

$

307.6

250.0

425.0

250.0

575.0

200.0

(50.1)

2,256.9
(300.5)

2018

294.6

281.4

250.0

—

250.0

—

200.0

(50.8)

1,225.2
—

$

1,956.4 $

1,225.2

the Company made a payment of $35.7 million to the counterparty 
on March 1, 2019. The $35.7 million loss on the settlement of the 
treasury locks was recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Loss and is being amortized over the term of the 2029 Notes and 
2049 Notes, and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense 
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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 of 2020 Notes and 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 2.576 percent 
for  the  2020  Notes  and  2.986  percent  for  the  2025  Notes  at 
September 30, 2019. The aggregate fair value of the interest rate 
swap contracts at September 30, 2019 was a net unrealized gain 
of $7.0 million. We have designated these swaps as fair value 

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

hedges. The individual contracts are recorded in Other assets and 
Other current 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 10.

On  November  13,  2018,  we  replaced  our  former  five-year  
$1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a new five-
year $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility expiring in 
November 2023. We can increase the aggregate amount of this 
credit facility by up to $750.0 million, subject to the consent of 
the banks in the credit facility. We did not incur early termination 
penalties in connection with the termination of the former credit 

facility. We did not borrow against either facility during the periods 
ended September 30, 2019 or 2018. Borrowings under the new 
credit facility bear interest based on short-term money market 
rates in effect during the period the borrowings are outstanding. 
This credit facility contains covenants under which we agree to 
maintain an EBITDA-to-interest ratio of at least 3.0 to 1.0. The 
EBITDA-to-interest ratio is defined in the credit facility as the ratio 
of consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the facility) for the preceding 
four quarters to consolidated interest expense for the same period.

Interest payments were $97.5 million during 2019, $75.5 million 
during 2018 and $74.2 million during 2017.

Long-term debt is not measured at fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term 
debt not measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

Current portion of long-term debt

$

300.5 $

300.1

$

— $

—

Long-term debt

1,956.4

2,380.8

1,225.2

1,391.3

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2018

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

We base the fair value of long-term debt upon quoted market 
prices for the same or similar issues and therefore consider this 
a Level 2 fair value measurement. The fair value of long-term 
debt 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. Refer to 
Note 1 for further information regarding levels in the fair value 
hierarchy.

NOTE 7.  OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities consist of (in millions):

Unrealized losses on foreign exchange contracts (Note 10)

Product warranty obligations (Note 8)

Taxes other than income taxes

Accrued interest

Income taxes payable

Other

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Our  short-term  debt  obligations  are  primarily  comprised  of 
commercial paper borrowings. There were no commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2019. Commercial 
paper borrowings were $550.0 million at September 30, 2018. 
The weighted average interest rate of the commercial paper 
outstanding was 2.27 percent at September 30, 2018.

September 30,

2019

$

5.4

$

25.2

43.8

15.5

62.9

75.1

2018

6.2

27.9

40.9

12.3

74.4

64.9

$

227.9

$

226.6

NOTE 8.  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.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

47

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

NOTE 9. 

INVESTMENTS

Our investments consist of (in millions):

Fixed income securities

Equity securities

Other

Total investments

Less short-term investments

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

September 30,

$

2019

27.9

21.3

(5.6)

(18.4)

25.2

$

2018

28.5

25.5

(2.6)

(23.5)

27.9

$

$

September 30,

2019

$

43.9

$

721.5

68.1

833.5

(39.6)

2018

419.0

1,090.0

69.9

1,578.9

(290.9)

$

793.9

$

1,288.0

We record investments in fixed income and equity securities, classified as available-for-sale investments or trading investments, at 
fair value.

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENTS

We invest in certificates of deposit, time deposits, commercial paper and other fixed income securities which are classified as 
available-for-sale. 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 available-for-sale investments consist of (in millions):

Certificates of deposit and time deposits

Corporate debt securities

Government securities

Asset-backed securities

TOTAL

September 30,

2019

0.6

$

31.8

6.3

5.2

43.9

$

2018

169.6

158.4

65.8

25.2

419.0

$

$

Pre-tax gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments 
were not material as of September 30, 2019. Pre-tax gross realized 
gains and losses on available-for-sale investments were not 
material for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. At 
September 30, 2019, there were no outstanding purchases of 
available-for-sale investments recorded in accounts payable.

We evaluated all available-for-sale investments for which the 
fair value was less than amortized cost for impairment on an 
individual security basis at September 30, 2019. 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, 2019, and accordingly we did not 
recognize any impairment charges in net income.

48

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The table below summarizes the contractual maturities of our investments as of September 30, 2019 (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

39.6

4.3

43.9

$

$

Classification of our available-for-sale 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

Long-term investments

TOTAL

EQUITY SECURITIES

On July 19, 2018, we purchased 10,582,010 shares of PTC common 
stock (the “PTC Shares”) in a private placement at a purchase 
price of $94.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of 
approximately  $1.0  billion  (the  “Purchase”).  The  PTC  Shares 
are considered equity securities. For a period of approximately 
3  years  after  the  Purchase  we  are  subject  to  entity-specific 
transfer restrictions subject to certain exceptions. Since the first 
anniversary of the Purchase, the Company has had the ability to 
transfer, in the aggregate in any 90-day period, a number of Shares 
equal to up to 1.0% of PTC’s total outstanding shares of common 
stock as of the first day in such 90-day period, but no more than 
2.0% of PTC’s total outstanding shares of common stock in each 
of the second year and the third year after the Purchase.

The PTC Shares are recorded at fair value. At September 30, 2019, the 
fair value of the PTC Shares was $721.5 million, which was recorded 
in long-term investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For 
the year ended September 30, 2019, a loss of $368.5 million related 
to the PTC Shares was recorded in other income (expense) in the 
Consolidated Statement of Operations. During fiscal 2019, the PTC 
Shares were registered by PTC under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, and the discount for lack of marketability was reversed.

FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

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

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

September 30,

2019

39.6

$

4.3

43.9

$

2018

290.9

128.1

419.0

$

$

Commercial paper — These investments are recorded 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.

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.

Equity securities — Prior to their registration, the PTC Shares 
were valued using the most recent closing price of PTC common 
stock  quoted  on  Nasdaq,  less  a  temporary  discount  for  lack 
of  marketability.  The  discount  for  lack  of  marketability  was 
calculated using a put-option model which included observable 
and unobservable inputs and was categorized as Level 3 in the fair 
value hierarchy. As a result of the registration of the PTC Shares 
and reversal of the discount during fiscal 2019, these securities 
are now valued using the most recent closing price as quoted on 
Nasdaq and were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1.

Refer to Note 1 for further information regarding levels in the 
fair value hierarchy. We did not have any other transfers between 
levels of fair value measurements during the periods presented.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

49

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Fair values of our investments were (in millions):

Certificates of deposit and time deposits

Corporate debt securities

Government securities

Asset-backed securities

Equity securities

TOTAL

Certificates of deposit and time deposits

Corporate debt securities

Government securities

Asset-backed securities

Equity securities

TOTAL

September 30, 2019

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

— $

0.6 $

— $

—

6.3

—

721.5

31.8

—

5.2

—

—

—

—

—

$

727.8 $

37.6 $

— $

September 30, 2018

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

— $

169.6 $

— $

—

55.7

—

—

158.4

10.1

25.2

—

—

—

—

$

55.7 $

363.3 $

1,090.0 $

1,509.0

1,090.0

1,090.0

Total

0.6

31.8

6.3

5.2

721.5

765.4

Total

169.6

158.4

65.8

25.2

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of our Level 3 investments (in millions):

Balance September 30, 2018

Unrealized loss

Transfer to Level 1 upon registration of PTC Shares on November 28, 2018

BALANCE SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Fair Value

1,090.0

(149.0)

(941.0)

—

$

$

NOTE 10.  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

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 and 
treasury locks 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 11.

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, 2019, we had 
a U.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of $774.0 million 
of foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as 
cash flow hedges. We entered into treasury locks to manage the 
potential change in interest rates in anticipation of the issuance 
of $1.0 billion of fixed rate debt in March 2019. Treasury locks are 
accounted for as cash flow hedges since they hedge the risk of an 
increase in treasury rates for the forecasted interest payments of 
an anticipated fixed-rate debt issuance.

50

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The pre-tax amount of gains (losses) 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):

Forward exchange contracts

Treasury locks

2019

2018

$

29.5

$

11.8

$

(35.7)

—

2017

(16.1)

—

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

Interest expense

TOTAL

2019

2018

1.0

$

2.4

$

18.2

(1.3)

(1.2)

(17.2)

1.2

—

16.7

$

(13.6)

$

2017

0.3

(2.8)

(0.5)

—

(3.0)

$

$

Approximately $15.7 million of pre-tax net unrealized gains on 
cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2019 will be reclassified 
into earnings during the next twelve months. We expect that these 
net unrealized gains 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, 2019, we had a gross 
notional amount of $110.3 million of foreign currency forward 
exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges.

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

FAIR VALUE HEDGES

We use interest rate swap contracts to manage the borrowing 
costs of certain long-term debt. In February 2015, we issued 
$600.0 million 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 

Interest income (expense)

2019
(4.9)

$

2018

1.1

$

2017

(16.3)

$

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, 
2019, the aggregate notional value of our interest rate swaps 
designated as fair value hedges was $600.0 million.

The  pre-tax  amount  of  net  gains  (losses)  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):

2019

2018

$

30.9

$

(19.3)

$

2017

(24.1)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

51

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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, 
2019, we had a U.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of 
$318.1 million of foreign currency forward exchange contracts 
not designated as hedging instruments.

The pre-tax amount of gains (losses) 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

2019

(0.4)

$

1.6

1.2

$

2018

1.0

(0.1)

0.9

$

$

2017

(1.8)

(8.6)

(10.4)

$

$

FAIR VALUE OF 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 2019, 2018 or 2017. 
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 $1,202.4 million at September 30, 2019. Currency 
pairs (buy/sell) comprising the most significant contract notional 
values were Euro/United States dollar (USD), USD/Canadian dollar, 
USD/Swiss franc, and USD/Singapore dollar. Refer to Note 1 for 
further information regarding levels in the fair value hierarchy.

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

Balance Sheet Location

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2018

Fair Value (Level 2)

Other current assets

$

20.3

$

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Interest rate swap contracts

Interest rate swap contracts

Interest rate swap contracts

TOTAL

Other assets

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

Other assets

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Balance Sheet Location

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

TOTAL

Other current assets

Other assets

Other current liabilities

52

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

15.8

1.9

(5.1)

(0.7)

—

—

(24.0)

(12.1)

3.0

(4.5)

(0.4)

7.6

(0.6)

—

25.4

$

Fair Value (Level 2)

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2018

$

4.8

—

(0.9)

3.9

$

3.4

0.6
(1.1)

2.9

$

$

$

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTE 11.  SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

COMMON STOCK

At September 30, 2019, 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, 2019, 8.7 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

Common stock issued (including share based compensation impact)

ENDING BALANCE

2019

121.0

(6.1)

0.8

115.7

2018

128.4

(8.3)

0.9

121.0

2017

128.5

(2.3)

2.2

128.4

At September 30, 2019 and 2018, there were $9.3 million and $18.3 million, of outstanding common stock share repurchases recorded 
in accounts payable, respectively

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were (in millions):

Pension and other 
postretirement 
benefit plan 
adjustments, net 
of tax (Note 13)

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

Balance as of September 30, 2016

$

(1,239.8) $

(294.9)

$

(4.1)

$

— $

(1,538.8)

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

215.2

97.6

312.8

57.2

—

57.2

(12.3)

2.0

(10.3)

(0.1)

—

(0.1)

260.0

99.6

359.6

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 $

(927.0) $

(237.7)

$

(14.4)

$

(0.1)

$

(1,179.2)

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

188.4

80.5

268.9

(48.3)

—

(48.3)

8.7

10.1

18.8

(2.1)

—

(2.1)

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 $

(658.1) $

(286.0)

$

4.4

$

(2.2)

$

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss

(532.1)

(55.3)

56.5

—

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(475.6)

(55.3)

(5.3)

(12.1)

(17.4)

2.2

—

2.2

146.7

90.6

237.3

(941.9)

(590.5)

44.4

(546.1)

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 $

(1,133.7) $

(341.3)

$

(13.0)

$

— $

(1,488.0)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

53

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to the Consolidated Statement of Operations were (in millions):

Year Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2017

Affected Line in the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan 
adjustments:

Amortization of prior service credit

$

(4.2)

$

(4.9)

$

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Settlements

Net unrealized (gains) losses on cash flow hedges:

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Treasury locks related to 2019 debt issuance

TOTAL RECLASSIFICATIONS

78.7

1.2

75.7

(19.2)

56.5

(1.0)
(18.2)

1.3

1.2
(16.7)

4.6
(12.1)

44.4

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

115.1

0.7

110.9

(30.4)

(9.8)

155.2

2.8

(a)

(a)

(a)

148.2

Income before income taxes

(50.6)

Income tax provision

80.5

$

97.6

Net income

(2.4)

$

(0.3) Sales

17.2

(1.2)

—

13.6

(3.5)

10.1

90.6

2.8

0.5

Cost of sales

Selling, general and 
administrative expenses

— Interest expense

3.0

Income before income taxes

(1.0)

Income tax provision

$

$

2.0

Net income

99.6

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 13 for further information.

NOTE 12.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

During  2019,  2018  and  2017,  we  recognized  $43.1  million, 
$38.5  million  and  $38.5  million  of  pre-tax  share-based 
compensation expense, respectively. The total income tax benefit 
related to share-based compensation expense was $6.9 million, 
$9.6  million  and  $12.3  million  during  2019,  2018  and  2017, 
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, 
2019,  total  unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to  
share-based compensation awards was $43.1 million, net of 
estimated  forfeitures,  which  we  expect  to  recognize  over  a 
weighted average period of approximately 1.9 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, upon grant, or in payment 
of stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance 
units, restricted stock units or 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, upon 
grant, or in payment of restricted stock units. Shares relating to 

awards under our 2012 Plan, or 2008 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 
3.4 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, 2019. 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.

54

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The per-share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017 
was $32.46, $35.29 and $25.70, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $35.8 million, $71.0 million and 
$141.1 million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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)

2019

2.79%

2.27%

23%

5.0

2018

2.14%

1.75%

22%

5.0

2017

1.85%

2.21%

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, 2019 is:

Outstanding at October 1, 2018

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Canceled

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2019

Exercisable at September 30, 2019

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 

Shares
(in thousands)

3,914

$

969

(481)

(91)

(13)

4,298

3,129

2,520

Wtd. Avg.
Exercise
Price

127.50

171.15

98.43

171.53

173.07

139.53

115.01

116.75

Wtd. Avg.
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

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

$

6.7

5.4

5.5

108.6

155.8

121.1

dividends, relative to the performance of companies in the S&P 
500 Index over a three-year period. The number of shares 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, 2019 is as follows:

Outstanding at October 1, 2018

Granted(1)

Adjustment for performance results achieved(2)

Vested and issued

Forfeited

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Performance
Shares
(in thousands)

Wtd. Avg.
Grant Date
Share Fair Value

150

$

57

72

(145)

(7)

127

143.94

155.04

178.06

132.85

190.37

178.40

(1)  Performance shares granted assuming achievement of performance goals at target.
(2)  Adjustments were due to the number of shares vested under fiscal 2016 awards at the end of the three-year performance period ended September 30, 2018 being 

higher than the target number of shares.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

55

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following table summarizes information about performance shares vested during the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 
2017:

Percent payout

Shares vested (in thousands)

Total fair value of shares vested (in millions)

$

2019

200%

145

25.8

$

2018

187%

139

26.5

$

2017

10%

6

0.9

For the three-year performance period ending September 30, 2019, the payout will be 77 percent of the target number of shares, with 
a maximum of approximately 28,000 shares to be delivered in payment under the awards in December 2019.

The per-share fair value of performance share awards granted during the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 
$155.04, $219.04 and $174.37, respectively, which we determined using a Monte Carlo simulation and the following assumptions:

Average risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Expected volatility

2019

2.77%

2.24%

23%

2018

1.88%

1.72%

22%

2017

1.35%

2.20%

23 %

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  four 
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 fair value of restricted stock and 
restricted stock unit awards granted during the years ended 
September  30,  2019,  2018  and  2017  was  $170.75,  $188.41 
and $138.32, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested 
during the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was 
$7.8 million, $7.2 million, and $7.6 million, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the year ended September 30, 2019 is as follows:

Outstanding at October 1, 2018

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Restricted
Stock and
Restricted
Stock Units
(in thousands)

$

146

48

(44)

(8)

Wtd. Avg.
Grant Date
Share
Fair Value

141.35

170.75

108.40

167.94

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

142

$

160.14

We also granted approximately 6,000 shares of unrestricted common stock to non-employee directors during the year ended September 30, 
2019. The weighted average grant date fair value of the unrestricted stock awards granted during the years ended September 30, 2019, 
2018, and 2017 was $182.39, $183.76 and $129.68, respectively.

56

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTE 13.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

We  sponsor  funded  and  unfunded  pension  plans  and  other 
postretirement benefit plans for our employees. The pension plans 
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 defined 
contribution plans. 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 at a minimum 
the  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 in 2019, 
2018 or 2017. We did not make voluntary contributions to our 
U.S. qualified pension plan in 2019 or 2018. We made a voluntary 
contribution of $200.0 million to our U.S. qualified pension plan 
in 2017.

We  sponsor  various  defined  contribution  savings  plans  that 
allow eligible employees to contribute a portion of their income 
in accordance with plan specific guidelines. We contribute to 
savings plans and/or will match a percentage of the employee 
contributions up to certain limits. The Company contributions to 
defined contribution plans are based on age and years of service 
and range from 3% to 7% of eligible compensation. Expense 
related to these plans was $53.1 million in 2019, $47.0 million in 
2018 and $41.5 million in 2017.

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.

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

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

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

Service cost

Interest cost

$

2019

78.2

158.3

$

2018

88.9

155.3

$

2017

97.0

151.6

$

Expected return on plan assets

(244.7)

(244.8)

(225.2)

Amortization:

Prior service cost (credit)

Net actuarial loss

Settlements

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST (INCOME)

$

1.2

77.8

1.2

72.0

0.6

113.4

0.7

(3.7)

152.9

3.3

$

2019

0.9

2.3

—

(5.4)

0.9

—

$

2018

1.3

2.4

—

(5.5)

1.7

—

2017

1.4

2.5

—

(6.1)

2.3

—

0.1

$

114.1

$

175.9

$

(1.3)

$

(0.1)

$

The service cost component is included in Cost of sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement 
of Operations. All other components are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Significant assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit cost (income) 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

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

4.35%

7.50%

3.50%

2.48%

5.22%

3.02%

3.90%

7.50%

3.50%

2.30%

5.19%

2.99%

3.75%

7.50%

3.50%

1.77%

5.12%

2.86%

4.15%

3.40%

3.10%

—

—

—

—

—

—

3.30%

3.20%

2.80%

—

—

—

—

—

—

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

57

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NET BENEFIT OBLIGATION

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

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$

4,259.5

$

4,585.0

$

62.4

$

2019

2018

2019

2018

77.8

1.3

2.4

(8.5)

—

3.4

(13.5)

—

—
(0.5)

62.4

—

—

10.1

3.4

(13.5)

—

—

—

—

(10.1)

(52.3)

(62.4)

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial losses (gains)

Plan amendments

Plan participant contributions

Benefits paid

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

$

$

$

78.2

158.3

720.4

(4.9)

3.4

(263.1)

(6.2)

—

(38.3)

4,907.3

3,754.8

263.6

30.9

3.4

(263.1)

(6.2)

(30.3)

3,753.1

(1,154.2)

$

6.5

$

(12.7)

(1,148.0)

88.9

155.3

(257.1)

(0.3)

3.7

(277.7)

(10.4)

(3.5)

(24.4)

4,259.5

3,788.3

220.6

50.3

3.7

(277.7)

(10.4)

(20.0)

3,754.8

(504.7)

30.6

(12.3)

(523.0)

$

$

0.9

2.3

4.7

—

3.4

(12.8)

—

—

(0.2)

60.7

—

—

9.4

3.4

(12.8)

—

—

—

(60.7)

$

(62.4)

— $

(7.3)

(53.4)

(1,154.2)

$

(504.7)

$

(60.7)

$

The actuarial losses recorded in 2019 were primarily the result of a decrease in the discount rate for U.S. Plans, which decreased from 
4.35% in 2018 to 3.30% in 2019. The actuarial gains recorded in 2018 were primarily the result of an increase in the discount rate 
for U.S. Plans, which increased from 3.90% in 2017 to 4.35% in 2018. Approximately 76 percent of our 2019 global projected benefit 
obligation relates to our U.S. pension plan.

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

Prior service cost (credit)

Net actuarial loss

TOTAL

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

2019

2.7

1,127.7

1,130.4

$

$

$

$

2018

4.3

657.6

661.9

$

$

2019

(4.1)

$

7.4

3.3

$

2018

(8.2)

4.4

(3.8)

During 2019, we recognized prior service credits of $4.2 million ($3.2 million net of tax) and net actuarial losses of $78.7 million ($59.7 million 
net of tax) in pension and other postretirement net periodic benefit cost, which were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at 
September 30, 2018.

The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $4,548.8 million and $3,962.3 million at September 30, 2019 and  
2018, respectively.

58

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Information regarding our pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets (underfunded plans) 
are as follows (in millions):

Projected benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

2019

$

4,607.4

$

3,446.7

2018

3,755.5

3,220.2

Information regarding our pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets (underfunded 
plans) are as follows (in millions):

Accumulated benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Significant assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations are (in weighted averages):

2019

$

4,019.7

$

3,205.2

2018

679.7

392.9

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

Other Postretirement Benefits

2019

2018

2019

2018

3.30%

3.40%

—

1.60%

3.06%

—

4.35%

3.50%

—

2.48%

3.02%

—

2.90%

—

6.50%

2.65%

—

4.50%

4.15%

—

6.50%

3.30%

—

4.50%

(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 5.00% in 2021 for U.S. Plans and will not change in 2020 for Non-U.S. Plans.

ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYMENTS

We expect to contribute $32.2 million related to our global pension plans and $7.4 million to our postretirement benefit plans in 2020.

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

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 – 2029

Pension Benefits

$

322.2 $

305.6

322.6

298.5

299.7

1,475.1

Other
Postretirement 
Benefits

7.4

6.2

5.9

5.6

5.3

21.0

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

59

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

PLAN ASSETS

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:

Asset Category

Equity securities

Debt securities

Other

Allocation
Range

Target
Allocations

40% – 65%

30% – 50%

0% – 15%

54%

39%

7%

September 30,

2019

2018

49%

44%

7%

53%

39%

8%

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.

or, absent an active market, utilizing observable inputs such as 
closing prices in less frequently traded markets.

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.

As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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, 
2019 and 2018.

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 

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.

Refer to Note 1 for further information regarding levels in the fair 
value hierarchy.

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.

60

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2019:

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$

2.6

$

— $

— $

2.6

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

129.7

919.7

—

—

285.1

—

—

—

—

419.0

698.7

130.0

138.4

—

Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

1,337.1

$

1,386.1

$

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

$

16.6

$

— $

63.4

—

—

1.3

—

—

—

—

—

304.5

61.2

—

329.7

85.1

—

—

Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

81.3

$

780.5

$

Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV:

Real estate funds

TOTAL NON-U.S. PLANS INVESTMENTS

TOTAL INVESTMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.9

0.9

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

95.4

4.5

99.9

129.7

919.7

419.0

698.7

415.1

138.4

0.9

2,724.1

31.6

25.6

2,781.3

16.6

63.4

304.5

61.2

1.3

329.7

85.1

95.4

4.5

961.7

10.1

971.8

$

3,753.1

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

61

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2018:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$

2.0

$

— $

— $

2.0

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

222.1

964.7

—

—

242.9

—

—

—

—

422.2

627.7

105.8

141.4

—

Total U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

1,431.7

$

1,297.1

$

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

$

12.8

$

— $

59.2

—

—

1.1

—

—

—

—

—

320.7

33.8

15.5

310.4

80.5

—

—

Total Non-U.S. Plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

73.1

$

760.9

$

Non-U.S. Plans investments measured at NAV:

Real estate funds

TOTAL NON-U.S. PLANS INVESTMENTS

TOTAL INVESTMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE

62

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.9

0.9

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

79.1

4.6

83.7

222.1

964.7

422.2

627.7

348.7

141.4

0.9

2,729.7

36.5

61.1

2,827.3

12.8

59.2

320.7

33.8

16.6

310.4

80.5

79.1

4.6

917.7

9.8

927.5

$

3,754.8

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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, 2019:

U.S. PLANS

Insurance contracts

NON-U.S. PLANS

Insurance contracts

Other

Balance
October 1, 2018

Realized Gains 
(Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2019

$

$

0.9

$

— $

— $

— $

0.9

79.1

4.6

—

—

14.3

(0.1)

84.6

$

— $

14.2

$

2.0

—

2.0

$

95.4

4.5

100.8

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, 2018:

U.S. PLANS

Insurance contracts

NON-U.S. PLANS

Insurance contracts

Other

Balance
October 1, 2017

Realized Gains 
(Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2018

$

$

0.9

$

— $

— $

— $

0.9

71.5

4.8

—

—

(0.4)

(0.2)

77.2

$

— $

(0.6)

$

8.0

—

8.0

$

79.1

4.6

84.6

NOTE 14.  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

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

Gain on sale of business

Change in fair value of investments

Interest income

Royalty income

Legacy product liability and environmental (charges) benefit

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit credit (cost)

Other

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

2019

2018

$

— $

— $

(368.5)

11.1

10.2

(22.1)

8.4

(1.5)

90.0

24.4

9.7

2.6

(23.8)

3.9

$

(362.4)

$

106.8

$

2017

60.8

—

19.6

8.9

(8.3)

(77.6)

(0.1)

3.3

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. The change in fair value of investments 
includes the gain (loss) on investments and valuation adjustments 
related to the registration of PTC Shares. Additional information 
related to our investments is included in Note 9.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

63

2019

2018

2017

280.8

620.2

901.0

$

$

721.6

609.2

1,330.8

$

$

547.2

490.2

1,037.4

105.6

$

475.3

$

112.1

16.5

234.2

(27.0)

(0.1)

(1.9)

(29.0)

205.2

293.3

$

$

131.4

18.1

624.8

118.6

48.0

3.9

170.5

795.3

222.9

$

$

67.3

109.9

0.7

177.9

44.6

(14.1)

3.3

33.8

211.7

211.9

$

$

$

$

$

Our base rate reflects the change in the U.S. federal statutory rate from 
35 percent to 21 percent resulting from the enactment of the Tax Act. 
The statutory rate for our fiscal year 2019 is 21 percent.

In December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 
118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on how a company may 
recognize provisional estimates related to the effects of the Tax Act. 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company completed its 
analysis of the impact of the Tax Act in accordance with SAB 118 and 
the amounts are no longer considered provisional. This resulted in no 
change to the provisional amounts recorded in fiscal year 2018 related 
to the revaluation of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities and the 
one-time transition tax liability on earnings of our foreign subsidiaries 
that were previously deferred from U.S. income tax.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTE 15.  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

TAX ACT

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted. The Tax Act 
significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering 
the statutory corporate income tax rate, implementing a modified 
territorial tax system, and imposing a one-time transition tax on 
accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were previously 
deferred from U.S. tax (“transition tax”). As a fiscal year taxpayer, 
certain provisions of the Tax Act impacted us in fiscal year 2018, 
including the change in the federal statutory rate and the one-time 
transition tax, while other provisions became effective in fiscal 
year 2019, including the tax on global intangible low-tax income 
(“GILTI”) of foreign subsidiaries, the deduction for foreign derived 
intangible income (“FDII”), and the elimination of the domestic 
manufacturing deduction.

The FASB allows companies to adopt an accounting policy to either 
recognize deferred taxes on GILTI or treat it as a cost in the year 
incurred. The Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat tax 
on GILTI as a tax cost in the year incurred.

64

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

Repatriation of foreign earnings

Foreign-derived intangible income

Impact of the Tax Act

Foreign currency transaction loss

Change in valuation allowance(a)

Share-based compensation

Research and development tax credit

Other

EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE

2019

21.0%

0.1

(4.8)

2.8

(1.6)

—

—

7.6

(0.9)

(1.2)

(0.2)

2018

24.5%

1.0

(4.4)

4.2

—

36.6

—

0.7

(1.3)

(1.3)

(0.2)

2017

35.0%

0.7

(9.3)

0.5

—

—

(1.9)

0.1

(2.8)

(0.6)

(1.3)

22.8%

59.8%

20.4%

(a)  During fiscal year 2019, we recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with the loss in fair value of the PTC Shares. This resulted in an 

increase to the effective tax rate of 7.5% and a corresponding valuation allowance of $67.3 million, as described further in the table below.

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 $55.1 million ($0.46 per diluted share) in 2019, $52.3 million ($0.41 per diluted share) in 2018 and $43.4 million 
($0.33 per diluted share) in 2017.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

65

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

DEFERRED TAXES

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to our net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were (in millions):

2019

2018

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

Investments

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

Investments

Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries

Other

Deferred income tax liabilities

$

6.0

$

11.1

29.8

298.5

26.2

21.6

46.9

69.6

18.5

16.5

9.5

10.7

564.9

(93.8)

471.1

(55.8)

(24.4)

—

(25.5)

(1.3)

(107.0)

TOTAL NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS

$

364.1

$

6.5

11.5

34.0

141.5

20.7

19.6

49.7

—

19.6

17.9

10.0

4.6

335.6

(27.0)

308.6

(54.7)

(25.3)

(21.7)

(22.7)

(4.6)

(129.0)

179.6

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, 2019 were (in millions):

Tax attributes and related valuation allowances

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

State and local net operating loss carryforward

State tax credit carryforward

Subtotal

Other deferred tax assets

TOTAL

66

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Tax Benefit 
Amount

Valuation 
Allowance

Carryforward 
Period Ends

$

7.2 $

3.3

9.5

0.4

7.6

16.5

44.5

71.9

$

116.4 $

7.2

3.1

9.5

2020 - 2028

Indefinite

Indefinite

— 2020 - 2036

2020 - 2037

2020 - 2034

Indefinite

1.4

0.7

21.9

71.9

93.8

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

$

20.1

$

2019

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

—

—

—

—

(0.2)

—

$

2018

31.1

—

3.0

(1.1)

(11.3)

(1.6)

—

GROSS UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS BALANCE AT END OF YEAR

$

19.9

$

20.1

$

2017

32.4

1.9

10.8

(0.1)

(7.7)

(6.3)

0.1

31.1

The  amount  of  gross  unrecognized  tax  benefits  that  would 
reduce our effective tax rate if recognized was $19.9 million, 
$20.1 million and $31.1 million at September 30, 2019, 2018 and 
2017, respectively.

Accrued  interest  and  penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax 
benefits were $3.3 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 
2019 and 2018, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties 
related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. 
Benefits (expense) recognized were $(0.8) million, $1.5 million and 
$1.2 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross 
unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to $18.5 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 
$19.8 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 
2016 and are no longer subject to state, local and non-U.S. income 
tax examinations for years before 2009.

NOTE 16.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

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.

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. 
Environmental  remediation  cost  liabilities,  net  of  related 
expected recoveries, were $56.3 million and $52.2 million as of 
September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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. 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, 2019 and 2018. Conditional asset 
retirement obligations, net of related expected recoveries, were 
$21.5 million and $21.6 million as of September 30, 2019 and 
2018, respectively.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

67

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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. The following outlines additional 
background for obligations associated with asbestos, divested 
businesses and intellectual property.

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, including products from divested businesses for 
which we have agreed to defend and indemnify claims. Currently 
there are a few thousand claimants in lawsuits that name us as 
defendants, together with hundreds of other companies. 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.

Additionally, we have maintained insurance coverage that includes 
indemnity  and  defense  costs,  over  and  above  self-insured 
retentions,  for  many  of  these  claims.  We  believe  these 
arrangements will provide substantial coverage for future defense 

LEASE COMMITMENTS

and indemnity costs 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. We do not believe these 
liabilities will have a material effect on our business, financial 
condition or results of operations.

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 hardware and software 
products. As of September 30, 2019, 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.

Rental expense was $119.0 million in 2019, $120.3 million in 2018 and $115.1 million in 2017. As of September 30, 2019, minimum future 
rental commitments under operating leases having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are payable as follows (in millions):

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

TOTAL

$

90.6

72.6

51.8

36.7

26.4

63.8

$

341.9

Commitments from third parties under sublease agreements having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were not significant 
as of September 30, 2019. Most leases contain renewal options for varying periods, and certain leases include options to purchase the 
leased property.

68

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONTROL PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

The Control Products & Solutions operating segment combines a 
comprehensive portfolio of intelligent motor control and industrial 
control products, value-added solutions and a complete portfolio 
of professionally delivered lifecycle services. This comprehensive 
portfolio includes:

 (cid:122) Low and medium voltage electro-mechanical and electronic 
motor starters and AC/DC variable frequency drives, motor 
control and circuit protection devices, operator devices, signaling 
devices, termination and protection devices, relays and timers 
and electrical control accessories.

 (cid:122) Value-added solutions ranging from pre-configured line to 
load power solutions, packaged drives, motor control centers, 
intelligent packaged power and engineered to order automation 
equipment solutions.

 (cid:122) Professional lifecycle services combine technology and domain 
expertise to help maximize customers’ automation investment 
and  provide  total  lifecycle  support  as  they  design,  build, 
sustain and optimize their automation investments. This broad 
portfolio includes safety, security and digital transformation 
consulting, global automation and information project delivery 
capabilities, plant network, cloud, and cybersecurity services, 
asset management and predictive analytics, and remote, on-site 
and managed support services.

NOTE 17.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Rockwell Automation, Inc. is a global leader in industrial automation 
and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people 
with  the  potential  of  technology  to  expand  what  is  humanly 
possible, making the world more productive and 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 hardware and software products, 
solutions and services into two operating segments: Architecture 
& Software and Control Products & Solutions.

ARCHITECTURE & SOFTWARE

The  Architecture  &  Software  operating  segment  contains  a 
comprehensive portfolio of automation and information platforms, 
including hardware and software. This integrated portfolio is 
capable of controlling our customers’ industrial processes and 
manufacturing, as well as providing connections to enterprise 
business systems.

Our automation platform is multi-discipline and scalable with 
the ability to handle applications in discrete, batch/hybrid and 
continuous  process,  drives  control,  motion  control,  machine 
safety and process safety. Our products include programmable 
automation  controllers,  design,  visualization  and  simulation 
software, human machine interface products, networking products, 
industrial computers, sensing devices, machine safety devices, 
motion control products, and independent cart technology products.

Our  information  platform  includes  manufacturing  execution 
system software and analytics software that enables customers 
to  improve  operational  productivity  and  meet  regulatory 
requirements. This platform enables enterprise visibility, reduction 
of unplanned downtime, and optimization of processes.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

69

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following tables reflect the sales and operating results of our reportable segments (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 and postretirement benefit credit (cost)

Gain on sale of business

Costs related to unsolicited Emerson proposals

(Loss) gain on investments

Valuation adjustments related to the registration of PTC Shares

Interest (expense) income-net

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Effective October 1, 2018, we realigned our reportable segments 
for a transfer of business activities between our segments. We also 
reclassified interest income from General corporate-net to Interest 
(expense) income-net and retrospectively applied the requirements 
of the new pension standard, reclassifying the non-operating 
pension and postretirement benefit cost out of segment operating 
earnings. As a result, the prior period presentation of reportable 
segments has been restated to conform to the current segment 
reporting structure. These changes did not impact the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations.

Among other considerations, we evaluate performance and allocate 
resources based upon segment operating earnings before income 
taxes, costs related to the unsolicited Emerson proposals in the first 

$

$

$

2019

2018

2017

3,021.9

$

3,050.2

$

3,672.9

3,615.8

6,694.8 $

6,666.0 $

2,858.6

3,452.7

6,311.3

874.8

$

897.9

$

598.8

1,473.6

(16.6)

(108.8)

8.4

—

—

(402.2)

33.7

(87.1)

543.9

1,441.8

(17.4)

(100.0)

(23.8)

—

(11.2)

123.7

(33.7)

(48.6)

780.0

448.1

1,228.1
(21.4)
(95.9)
(77.6)

60.8

—

—

—
(56.6)

$

901.0 $

1,330.8 $

1,037.4

quarter of fiscal 2018, interest (expense) income-net, costs related 
to corporate offices, non-operating pension and postretirement 
benefit credit (cost), certain corporate initiatives, gains and losses 
on investments, valuation adjustments related to the registration 
of PTC Shares, gains and losses from the disposition of businesses, 
and purchase accounting depreciation and amortization. Depending 
on the product, 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.

70

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following tables summarize the identifiable assets at September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017 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

2019

2018

2017

1,410.5 $

1,788.9 $

2,114.8

2,587.7

2,094.9

2,378.2

2,482.8

2,078.2

2,600.7

6,113.0 $

6,262.0 $

7,161.7

63.8 $

72.5 $

69.6

2.2

135.6

16.6

72.4

2.3

147.2

17.4

152.2 $

164.6 $

57.7 $

29.4 $

68.9

6.2

38.5

57.6

69.3

75.0

3.2

147.5

21.4

168.9

30.0

42.1

69.6

132.8 $

125.5 $

141.7

$

$

$

$

$

$

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 $244.7 million, $234.4 million 

and  $259.3  million  at  September  30,  2019,  2018  and  2017, 
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 
$6.2 million, $57.6 million and $69.6 million in 2019, 2018 and 
2017, 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):

North America

$

4,014.3

$

3,964.1

$

3,801.8

$

443.8

$

450.2

$

Sales

Property

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

TOTAL

1,249.8

908.6

522.1

1,286.8

933.3

481.8

1,193.7

866.4

449.4

60.5

41.9

25.7

53.3

42.9

30.4

$

6,694.8 $

6,666.0 $

6,311.3

$

571.9 $

576.8 $

583.9

2017

452.2

52.5

40.0

39.2

We attribute sales to the geographic regions based on the country 
of destination. Sales in North America include $3,640.2 million 
related to the U.S.

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 2019, 2018 and 
2017, which are attributable to both segments, were approximately 
10 percent of our total sales.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

71

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NOTE 18.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

(in millions, except per share amounts)

First

Second

Third

Fourth

2019 Quarters

Sales

Gross profit

Income before income taxes

Net income

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

$

1,642.3

$

1,657.2 $

1,665.1 $

1,730.2 $

738.7

120.8

80.3

0.67

0.66

730.3

321.4

261.4

2.22

2.20

708.2

402.4

346.0

2.91

2.88

2018 Quarters

722.9

56.4

8.1

0.07

0.07

(in millions, except per share amounts)

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Sales

Gross profit

Income before income taxes

Net (loss) income

(Loss) Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

$

1,586.6

$

1,651.2 $

1,698.7 $

1,729.5 $

700.2

297.8
(236.4)

(1.84)
(1.84)

703.9

299.6

227.4

1.79

1.77

744.7

251.7

198.6

1.60

1.58

736.1

481.7

345.9

2.84

2.80

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

2019

6,694.8

2,900.1

901.0

695.8

5.88

5.83

2018

6,666.0

2,884.9

1,330.8

535.5

4.27

4.21

NOTE 19.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On October 1, 2019, we completed the formation of a joint venture, 
Sensia, the first fully integrated digital oilfield automation solutions 
provider. Sensia operates as an independent entity, with Rockwell 
Automation owning 53% and Schlumberger owning 47% of the 
joint venture. As part of the transaction, we made a $250 million 

payment to Schlumberger, which was funded by cash on hand. See 
the contractual cash obligations table under Financial Condition 
in MD&A. We control Sensia and, as of October 1, 2019, have 
consolidated Sensia in our financial results.

As of October 1, 2019, Rockwell Automation will record a preliminary purchase price allocation for the assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed in connection with the formation of Sensia based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, October 1, 2019. 
We have not completed our analysis of estimating the fair value of intangible assets acquired, specifically customer relationships. 
The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in millions):

Net current and tangible assets

Goodwill and intangible assets

Total assets acquired

Less: current liabilities assumed

Less: noncontrolling interest portion

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

72

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Purchase  
Price Allocation

$

$

86.9

563.4

650.3
(25.3)
(294.0)

331.0

Cash

Noncontrolling interest portion of Rockwell Automation’s contributed business

Additional paid in capital adjustment

Other

NET PURCHASE CONSIDERATION

We will assign the full amount of goodwill to our Control Products 
& Solutions segment. Some of the goodwill recorded is expected 
to be deductible for tax purposes.

The allocation of the purchase price to identifiable assets is 
based on the preliminary valuations performed to determine 
the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The 
measurement period for the valuation of net assets acquired 
ends as soon as information on the facts and circumstances that 
existed as of the acquisition date becomes available, but not to 
exceed 12 months following the acquisition date. Adjustments in 
purchase price allocations may require a change in the amounts 
allocated to net assets during the periods in which the adjustments 
are determined. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest of 
the contributed business upon acquisition was $294 million. The 
consolidated value of Sensia will be recorded at fair value for 
Schlumberger’s contribution and at carrying value for Rockwell 
Automation’s contribution.

PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Purchase 
consideration

$

$

250.0

32.0

42.0

7.0

331.0

We expensed an immaterial amount of acquisition-related costs 
in the year ended September 30, 2019.

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Pro forma consolidated sales for the year ended September 30, 2019 
are approximately $6.9 billion and the impact on earnings is not 
material. The preceding pro forma consolidated financial results 
of operations are as if the 2019 formation of Sensia occurred 
on October 1, 2018. The pro forma information is presented for 
informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results 
of operations that would have been achieved had the transaction 
occurred as of that time.

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73

PART II
ITEM 8. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareowners of  
Rockwell Automation, Inc.  
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

OPINIONS ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INTERNAL CONTROL OVER  
FINANCIAL REPORTING
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets 
of Rockwell Automation, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) 
as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, and the related notes and schedule listed in 
the Index at Item 15 (a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “financial 
statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred 
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, and 
the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended September 30, 2019, in conformity 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all 
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal 
Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

BASIS FOR OPINIONS
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial 
statements, 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 are a public accounting firm registered with the Public 
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in 
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable 
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the 
PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to 

error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial 
reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our  audits  of  the  financial  statements  included  performing 
procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 
financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing 
procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included 
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included 
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation 
of  the  financial  statements.  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.

DEFINITION AND LIMITATIONS OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a 
process designed 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 

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 changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with 
the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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.

74

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART II
ITEM 8. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising 
from the current-period audit of the financial statements that 
was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit 
committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are 
material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially 
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication 

of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion 
on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, 
by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a 
separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts 
or disclosures to which it relates.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS-U.S. PENSION BENEFIT OBLIGATION-REFER TO NOTE 13 TO THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER DESCRIPTION

The Company’s pension benefit obligation is actuarially determined 
on an annual basis. The determination of the pension benefit 
obligation requires management to make significant judgments 
related to the selection of discount rates. Changes in discount rates 
could have a significant impact on the pension benefit obligation. 
Management selected discount rates based upon an analysis of a 
hypothetical portfolio of bonds that match the expected cash flow 
of their pension plans.

The Company had a pension benefit obligation of $4,907 million 
as of September 30, 2019, of which approximately 76% is related 
to the U.S. pension plans. If the discount rate for the U.S. pension 
plans were to change by 25 basis points, the effect would be a 
$141 million change in the U.S. projected benefit obligation.

Given  the  significance  of  the  U.S.  pension  obligation  and  its 
sensitivity to a change in the discount rate, performing audit 
procedures  to  evaluate  whether  management’s  judgments 
regarding the selection of the discount rate for the U.S. pension 
plans was appropriate required a high degree of auditor judgment 
and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our 
actuarial specialists.

HOW THE CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER WAS 
ADDRESSED IN THE AUDIT

Our audit procedures related to the selection of the discount rate 
for the U.S. pension plans included the following, among others:

 (cid:122) We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s 
accounting for their pension obligation, including those over 
the selection of the discount rate.

 (cid:122) With the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we evaluated 

the Company’s selection of the discount rate by:

–   Assessing the appropriateness of the bonds included in the 
analysis used by management by evaluating the criteria 
used to select bonds, and by testing the characteristics and 
investment grade of the bonds selected.

–   Testing the mathematical accuracy of the analysis used by 

management through recalculation.

–   Benchmarking the analysis used by management against an 

independent yield curve analysis.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
November 12, 2019 
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1967.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

75

PART II
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

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, 2019, of our disclosure controls and procedures, as 

defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under 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, 2019.

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 on that 

evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control 
over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2019.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as 
of September 30, 2019, 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 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 Rule 13a-15(f) under 
the Exchange Act) 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. We 
are currently evaluating the impact that the formation of Sensia 
on October 1, 2019 may have on our control environment.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

76

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE 

GOVERNANCE

Other than the information below, the information required by 
this Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled 
Corporate Governance, 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 https://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 11 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled Executive Compensation, Election of 
Directors, Corporate Governance, 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 12 is incorporated by reference to the section entitled Stock 
Ownership Information in the Proxy Statement.

The following table provides information, as of September 30, 2019, 
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, and 2003 Directors Stock Plan.

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners

Equity compensation plans not approved by 
shareowners

TOTAL

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)

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

4,580,630(1)

—

4,580,630

$

$

139.53(2)

n/a

139.53

3,588,730(3)

—

3,588,730

(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, 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 stock units.
(3)  Represents  3,375,304  and  213,426  shares  available  for  future  issuance  under  our  2012  Long-Term  Incentives  Plan  and  our  2003  Directors  Stock  Plan, 

respectively.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

77

PART III
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, 

AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled Corporate Governance and Election of 
Directors in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the section entitled Audit Matters in the Proxy Statement.

78

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 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, 2019 and 2018

Consolidated Statement of Operations, years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity, years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(2) Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 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

Page

30

31

32

33

34

35

74

Page

84

3-a

3-b

4-a-1

4-a-2

4-a-3

4-a-4

4-a-5

4-a-6

4-a-7

4-a-8

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Form of certificate for the Company’s 3.500% Notes due March 1, 2029, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Form of certificate for the Company’s 4.200% Notes due March 1, 2049, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

79

PART IV
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

4-a-9

Description of the Company’s Securities.

*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.

*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

*10-a-6

*10-a-7

*10-b-1

*10-b-2

*10-b-3

*10-b-4

*10-b-5

*10-b-6

*10-b-7

*10-b-8

*10-b-9

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.

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.

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation and Benefits as of October 1, 2019, filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-b-10

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Company’s 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan for certain awards of shares of 
restricted stock to executive officers of the Company after October 29, 2019.

*10-c-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-c-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.

80

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART IV
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

*10-d-1

*10-d-2

*10-e-1

*10-e-2

*10-e-3

*10-e-4

*10-e-5

*10-f

10-g-1

10-g-2

10-g-3

10-h-1

10-h-2

10-h-3

10-i-1

10-i-2

10-i-3

10-j-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.

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.

Change of Control Agreement dated as of September 30, 2019 between the Company and Blake D. Moret, filed as Exhibit 99.1 
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and each of Patrick P. Goris, Frank C. Kulaszewicz, and Sujeet 
Chand and certain other officers filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2019, is 
hereby incorporated by reference.

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.

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.

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.

Rockwell Automation Consultant Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2019, between the Company and Theodore Crandall, 
filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 22, 2019, is hereby incorporated by 
reference.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

$1,250,000,000 Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of November 13, 2018 among the Company, the Banks listed on the 
signature pages thereof, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated November 15, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

81

PART IV
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

10-k

10-l-1

10-l-2

10-m-1

10-m-2

21

23

24

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

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.

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.

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.

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 11, 2018, between the Company and PTC Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 11, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement dated July 19, 2018, between the Company and PTC Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated as July 20, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.

List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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.

ITEM 16.  FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

82

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

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.

PART IV
SIGNATURES

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
By

/s/ PATRICK P. GORIS
Patrick P. Goris
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Dated: November 12, 2019

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on the 12th day of November 
2019 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*
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
and Director
J. Phillip Holloman*
Director
Steven R. Kalmanson*
Director
James P. Keane*
Director
Lawrence D. Kingsley*
Director
Pam Murphy*
Director
Donald R. Parfet *
Director
Lisa A. Payne*
Director
Thomas W. Rosamilia*
Director
Patricia A. Watson*
Director

*By

**By

/s/ REBECCA W. HOUSE
Rebecca W. House, Attorney-in-fact**
authority of powers of attorney filed herewith

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

83

PART IV
SCHEDULE II

SCHEDULE II

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, 2018 AND 2017

(in millions)

Description

Year ended September 30, 2019

Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year ended September 30, 2018

Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year ended September 30, 2017

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

$

$

$

17.1 $

27.0

24.9 $

18.6

24.5 $

17.3

6.1 $

69.3

0.1 $

8.9

5.0 $

1.5

— $

—

— $

—

— $

0.4

5.8 $

2.5

7.9 $

0.5

4.6 $

0.6

17.4

93.8

17.1

27.0

24.9

18.6

Includes allowances for current and other long-term receivables.

(a) 
(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.

84

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART IV
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

INDEX TO EXHIBITS *

Exhibit No.

Exhibit

4-a-9

Description of the Company’s Securities.

**10-b-10

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Company’s 2012 Long-Term Incentives Plan for certain awards of shares of 
restricted stock to executive officers of the Company after October 29, 2019.

21

23

24

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange  
Act of 1934.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange  
Act of 1934.

Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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.
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

85

PART IV
EXHIBIT 31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Blake D. Moret, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockwell Automation, Inc.;

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 12, 2019

/s/ BLAKE D. MORET

Blake D. Moret
President and Chief
Executive Officer

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
PART IV
EXHIBIT 31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Patrick P. Goris, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockwell Automation, Inc.;

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 12, 2019

/s/ PATRICK P. GORIS

Patrick P. Goris
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

87

 
PART IV
EXHIBIT 32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

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, 2019 (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 operations 

of the Company.

Date: November 12, 2019

/s/ BLAKE D. MORET

Blake D. Moret
President and Chief
Executive Officer

88

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PART IV
EXHIBIT 32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

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, 2019 (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 operations 

of the Company.

Date: November 12, 2019

/s/ PATRICK P. GORIS

Patrick P. Goris
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

89