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Rockwell Automation

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FY2021 Annual Report · Rockwell Automation
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2021 
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)

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 

OR

   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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes    No  
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes    No  

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such 
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 
company, or an emerging growth company. See the 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





Accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

Emerging Growth Company







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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of 
its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting 
firm that prepared or issued its audit report. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes    No  
The aggregate market value of registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of registrant on March 31, 2021 was approximately $30.8 billion.
115,981,885 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding on October 31, 2021.

Certain information contained in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of registrant to be held on February 1, 2022, is 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I 

BUSINESS 

ITEM 1.  
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS 
ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 
ITEM 2.  
ITEM 3.  
ITEM 4.  
ITEM 4A.  

PROPERTIES 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR  
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

PART II 

ITEM 5.  

ITEM 6.  
ITEM 7.  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON 
EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER  
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES  
OF EQUITY SECURITIES 
RESERVED 
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 

35
35
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
36
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  37
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
38
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY 
39
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
40

3

3
6
11
11
12
12

13

14

14
15

15

34

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 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

ITEM 11.  
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 SCHEDULES 

ITEM 16.   FORM 10-K SUMMARY 

SIGNATURES 

80
80
80

81

81
81

81

82

82

83

83
86

87

2

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 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:

	z the severity and duration of disruptions to our business due to 
pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters 
(including those as a result of climate change), acts of war, 
strikes, terrorism, social unrest or other causes, including the 
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to manage it on 
the global economy, liquidity and financial markets, demand for 
our hardware and software products, solutions and services, 
our supply chain, our work force, our liquidity and the value of 
the assets we own;

	z the availability and price of components and materials;
	z macroeconomic factors, including global and regional business 
conditions  (including  adverse  impacts  in  certain  markets, 
such as Oil & Gas), commodity prices, the cyclical nature of 
our customers’ capital spending, sovereign debt concerns and 
currency exchange rates;

	z the availability and cost of capital;
	z our ability to attract, develop, and retain qualified personnel; 
	z the  successful  integration  and  management  of  strategic 
transactions and achievement of the expected benefits of these 
transactions; 

	z laws,  regulations  and  governmental  policies  affecting  our 
activities in the countries where we do business, including those 
related to tariffs, taxation, trade controls, and climate change; 
	z the availability, effectiveness and security of our information 

technology systems; 

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

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

GENERAL

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

	z our ability to manage and mitigate the risks associated with our 

solutions and services businesses; 

	z the successful execution of our cost productivity initiatives; 
	z competitive hardware and software products, solutions and 
services and pricing pressures, and our ability to provide high 
quality products, solutions and services; 

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

	z intellectual property infringement claims by others and the 

ability to protect our intellectual property; 

	z the uncertainty of claims by taxing authorities in the various 

jurisdictions where we do business; 

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

	z 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; 

	z our ability to manage costs related to employee retirement and 

health care benefits; and

	z 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.

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 

3

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

and reduce enterprise business risk. See Item 7. Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations (MD&A) for additional information on our business and 
long-term strategy.

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

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

OPERATING SEGMENTS

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.

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  1,  2022  (the  Proxy 
Statement), or to information under specific captions in Item 7. 
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.

Starting in fiscal 2021, we have three operating segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. The Intelligent 
Devices segment includes drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & 
Control segment includes control and visualization software and hardware, information software, and network and security infrastructure. 
The Lifecycle Services segment includes consulting, professional services and solutions, connected services, and maintenance services, 
as well as the Sensia joint venture. 

Our operating segments share a common sales organization and supply chain and conduct business globally. Major markets served 
by all 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).

During fiscal 2020 and 2019, we had two operating segments: Architecture & Software and Control Products & Solutions. Segment 
information presented for those periods has been recast to reflect our new operating segments. See Note 19 in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information on our operating segments.

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, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 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., Honeywell 
International Inc., AVEVA Group plc, Dassault Systemes, and Aspen Technology, Inc.

DISTRIBUTION

In most countries, we sell primarily through independent distributors in conjunction with our direct sales force. Approximately 75 percent 
of our global sales are through independent distributors. Sales to our largest distributor in 2021, 2020, and 2019 were approximately 
10 percent of our total sales.

EMPLOYEES

See Item 7. MD&A for information on our employees, including information related to attracting, developing, and retaining highly qualified talent.

4

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

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.

BACKLOG

Our total order backlog consists of (in millions):

Intelligent Devices

Software & Control

Lifecycle Services

September 30,

2021

1,052.8  $

618.2 

1,239.5 

2,910.5  $

2020

392.4 

156.3 

1,008.4 

1,557.1 

$

$

See Note 2 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the nature of our products and services and revenue 
recognition.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Information about the effect of compliance with environmental protection requirements and resolution of environmental claims is 
contained in Note 17 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, solutions, and 
services. 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®”,  “PlantPAx®  Process  Automation  System™”,  and  “The 
Connected  Enterprise®”  are  important  to  all  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®”, 
“FactoryTalk®”, “Plex Systems®”, and “Fiix®” for our software and 
cloud 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.

5

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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.

INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC RISKS 

WE FACE THE POTENTIAL HARMS OF NATURAL 
DISASTERS, INCLUDING THOSE AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE 
CHANGE, PANDEMICS, INCLUDING THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC, ACTS OF WAR, TERRORISM, INTERNATIONAL 
CONFLICTS OR OTHER DISRUPTIONS TO OUR 
OPERATIONS, THE DURATION AND SEVERITY OF WHICH 
ARE HIGHLY UNCERTAIN AND DIFFICULT TO PREDICT.

Our business depends on the movement of people and goods 
around the world. Natural disasters (including but not limited 
to those as a result of climate change), pandemics (including 
the COVID-19 pandemic), 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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to 
the global economy, including in all of the regions in which we, 
our suppliers, distributors, business partners and customers 
do  business  and  in  which  our  workforce  is  located.  The 
COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to manage it, including those by 
governmental authorities, have had, and could continue to have, 
significant impacts on global markets. While the duration and 
severity of those impacts on our business are highly uncertain, 
they have had, and could continue to have, an adverse effect on 
our business, financial condition and results of operations in many 
ways, including, but not limited to, the following:

6

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 using 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.

	z The COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it have significantly 
limited or prevented the movement of goods and services 
worldwide, which has resulted in and could continue to result 
in disruptions in our supply chain and our difficulty in procuring 
or inability to procure components and materials necessary for 
our hardware and software products, solutions and services. 
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it has 
increased and could continue to increase the costs of making 
and distributing our hardware and software products, solutions 
and services or result in delays in delivering, or an inability to 
deliver, them to our customers.

	z Our workforce may be unable or unwilling to work on-site or 
travel as a result of vaccine requirements, event cancellations, 
facility closures, shelter-in-place, travel and other restrictions 
and changes in industry practice, or if they, their co-workers 
or their family members become ill or otherwise require care 
arrangements. Regulations for vaccines and COVID-19 testing 
have  been  announced  and  additional  regulations  may  be 
announced in the jurisdictions in which our business operates. 
These workforce disruptions and regulations have adversely 
affected and could continue to adversely affect our ability 
to  efficiently  operate,  including  to  develop,  manufacture, 
generate sales of, promote, market, and deliver our hardware 
and software products, solutions and services, and provide 
customer  support.  Implementation  of  new  regulations  for 
vaccines may result in attrition of skilled labor and impact our 
ability to attract and retain talent necessary for our business 
operations. For additional information, see the risk factor on 
attracting, developing, and retaining highly qualified personnel.
	z Our customers are, and continue to be, subject to significant 
risks and have had, and could continue to have, adverse impacts 
to their business operations and financial condition related 
to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could lead to a decrease in 
their liquidity and/or industrial spending. This has resulted in, 
and could continue to result in, a decrease in demand for our 
hardware and software products, solutions and services, as well 
as impact our customers’ ability to pay for such hardware and 
software products, solutions and services.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

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. The 
U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has 
announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR. Banks currently 
reporting information used to set U.S dollar LIBOR are currently 
expected to stop doing so during 2023. Various parties, including 
government  agencies,  are  seeking  to  identify  an  alternative 
rate to replace LIBOR. 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 and adversely affect the trading market for 
securities linked to such benchmarks. For additional information, 
see Financial Condition in Item 7. MD&A.

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 
competitive 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.

The  unprecedented  and  continuously  evolving  nature  of  the 
COVID-19 pandemic make the duration and severity of its impacts 
difficult to predict, which could limit our ability to respond to those 
impacts. Additionally, the impacts described above and other 
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it could 
substantially increase the risk to us from the other risks described 
in this Item 1A. Risk Factors.

ADVERSE CHANGES IN MACROECONOMIC OR INDUSTRY 
CONDITIONS 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 
adverse events as a result of the economic challenges faced by 
our customers, prospective customers and suppliers.

Demand for our hardware and software products, solutions and 
services 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 
hardware and software products, solutions and services.

Oil  &  Gas  is  a  major  industry  that  we  serve.  Demand  for  our 
hardware  and  software  products,  solutions  and  services  is 
sensitive to industry volatility and risks including those related 
to commodity prices, supply and demand dynamics, productions 
costs,  geological  and  political  activities,  and  environmental 
regulations including those intended to reduce the impact of 
climate change. When adverse Oil & Gas industry events arise, 
companies may reduce their levels of spending, which could result 
in decreased demand for our hardware and software products, 
solutions and services.

VOLATILITY AND DISRUPTION OF THE CAPITAL AND 
CREDIT MARKETS MAY RESULT IN INCREASED COSTS TO 
MAINTAIN OUR CAPITAL STRUCTURE.

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.

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

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:

	z 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;

	z 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;

	z poor quality or an insecure supply chain, which could adversely 
affect the reliability and reputation of our hardware and software 
products, solutions and services;

7

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

	z embargoes, sanctions and other trade restrictions that may 

affect our ability to purchase from various suppliers; and

	z intellectual property risks such as challenges to ownership of 

rights or alleged infringement by suppliers.

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.

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. 

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. Less 
than half of our total sales in 2021 were to customers outside the 
U.S. In addition, 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 may increase our costs, which 
could decrease our profitability and have an adverse effect on our 
financial condition.

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, solutions and services are used in critical infrastructure, 
these threats could indicate increased risk for our products, 
services, solutions, manufacturing, and IT infrastructure. Past 
global cyber attacks have also 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, sabotage, 
or cyber-attacks. 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, and much of this is typically outside our 
control. In addition, the software supply chain introduces security 
vulnerabilities into many products across the industry.

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, 
including  cloud  providers,  for  a  wide  range  of  products  and 
outsourced activities 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 

8

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

cloud platform, could lead to a compromise of our internal systems 
or customer networks. In addition, our Third Party Risk Program 
manages risk posed by our suppliers that have access to our 
confidential information, systems, or network, but this risk cannot 
be eliminated and vulnerabilities at third parties could result in 
unknown risk exposure to our business and information.

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 and risk, 
product security, identification and protection of critical assets, 
insider risk, third-party risk, security awareness, and cyber defense 
operations.  We  believe  these  measures  reduce,  but  cannot 
eliminate, the risk of a cybersecurity 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.

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, solutions 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, solutions 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.

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.

INCREASING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COSTS AND FUNDING 
REQUIREMENTS 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 
and funding requirements. Expenses and funding requirements 
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 and funding requirements 
related to employee and retiree benefits could negatively impact 
our operating results and financial condition.

STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENTS RISKS

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 

9

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

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:

	z 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; 

	z loss of key employees or difficulties integrating personnel; 

	z legal and compliance issues; 

	z difficulties implementing and maintaining consistent standards, 
financial systems, internal and other controls, procedures, 
policies and information systems;

	z 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 

	z 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 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. 
The fair value of our shares of PTC common stock (PTC 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 recognize all changes in the fair value 
of the PTC Shares (whether realized or unrealized) as gains or 
losses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Accordingly, 
changes in the fair value of the PTC 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 PTC 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 PTC Shares should we wish to reduce our 
investment. Until September 2023, we are subject to contractual 
restrictions on our ability to transfer the PTC Shares, subject 
to  certain  exceptions.  In  addition,  we  are  subject  to  certain 
restrictions on our ability to transfer the PTC Shares under the 
securities laws. Further, the reported value of the PTC Shares 
does not necessarily reflect their lowest current market price. 
If we were forced to sell some or all of the PTC 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 PTC 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.

LEGAL, TAX AND REGULATORY RISKS

NEW LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIONS COULD 
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

Legislative  and  regulatory  action,  including  those  related  to 
corporate  income  taxes  or  climate  change,  may  be  taken  in 
the various countries and other jurisdictions where we operate 
that may affect our business activities in those countries and 
other jurisdictions or may otherwise increase our costs to do 
business. For example, we are increasingly required to comply 
with  various  environmental  and  other  material,  product, 
certification and labeling laws and regulations. Our customers may 
also be required to comply with such legislative and regulatory 
requirements. These requirements could increase our costs 
and could potentially have an adverse effect on our ability to 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.

In addition, increased public awareness and concern regarding 
climate change may result in more requirements or expectations 
that could mandate more restrictive or expansive standards, 
such as more prescriptive reporting of environmental, social, 
and  governance  metrics.  There  continues  to  be  a  lack  of 
consistent  climate  change  legislation  and  standards,  which 
creates uncertainty. While the Company has adopted certain 
voluntary targets, environmental laws, regulations, or standards 
may be changed, accelerated, or adopted and impose significant 
operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon the 
Company, its products, or customers, which could negatively 
impact the Company’s business, capital expenditures, results of 
operations, and financial condition.

10

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

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.

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.

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. 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 of all 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, 2021:

Location

Segment/Region

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Global and North America Headquarters, Intelligent Devices, and Lifecycle 
Services

Mayfield Heights, Ohio, United States

Software & Control

Capelle, Netherlands / Diegem, Belgium

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Hong Kong

Weston, Florida, United States

Asia Pacific

Latin America

11

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following table sets forth information regarding the manufacturing square footage of our principal locations as of September 30, 2021:

Location

Monterrey, Mexico

Katowice, Poland

Mequon, Wisconsin, United States

Tecate, Mexico

Twinsburg, Ohio, United States

Richland Center, Wisconsin, United States

Cambridge, Canada

Ladysmith, Wisconsin, United States

Harbin, China

Shanghai, China

Jundiai, Brazil

Singapore

Manufacturing Square Footage

607,000 

238,000 

230,000 

225,000 

200,000 

189,000 

165,000 

150,000 

118,000 

106,000 

95,000 

79,000 

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.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required by this Item is contained in Note 17 in the Consolidated Financial Statements within the section entitled Other Matters.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 

Not applicable. 

12

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART I
ITEM 4A. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

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, 2021 are:

Name, Office and Position, and Principal Occupations and Employment

Age

Blake D. Moret 

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

Sujeet Chand

Elik I. Fooks 

Senior Vice President, Technology since July 1, 2021; previously Senior Vice President and Chief 
Technology Officer

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

Nicholas C. Gangestad

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 1, 2021; previously Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer, 3M Company (consumer goods, health care and worker safety)

Scott Genereux

Rebecca W. House

Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer since February 1, 2021; previously Executive Vice 
President of Worldwide Field Operations at Veritas (provider of information management services) (2017 to 
2020), and Senior Vice President at Oracle (cloud applications and platform services) 

Senior Vice President, Chief People (since July 2020) and Legal Officer and Secretary since January 
3, 2017; previously Assistant General Counsel, Operations and Compliance, and Assistant Secretary at 
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (motorcycle manufacturer)

Frank C. Kulaszewicz

Senior Vice President Lifecycle Services since October 1, 2020; previously Senior Vice President

Veena M. Lakkundi 

Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development since November 1, 2021; previously Senior 
Vice President, Strategy & Business Development (2020-2021), Vice President and General Manager, 
Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division (2019-2020), Vice President and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, 
Compliance and Business Conduct, Legal Affairs (2017-2019) at 3M Company (consumer goods, health care 
and worker safety)

John M. Miller 

Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel

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, Jr.

Cyril Perducat 

Terry L. Riesterer 

Brian A. Shepherd 

Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer since November 4, 2020; previously Senior Vice 
President, Operations and Engineering Services (from November 2019 to November 2020), Vice President, 
Global Supply Chain (from July 2018 to November 2019), and Vice President, Strategic Sourcing and Supply 
Management 

Senior Vice President (since June 1, 2021) and Chief Technology Officer since July 1, 2021; previously 
Executive Vice President, Schneider Electric (energy and automation digital solutions)

Vice President and Controller since November 29, 2019; previously Vice President, Corporate Financial 
Planning and Analysis and Corporate Development (from August 2016 - November 2019) and Vice President, 
Global Finance Operations

Senior Vice President Software and Control since February 1, 2021; previously President, Production 
Software SFx (2019-2020) and Senior Vice President, Software Solutions (2017-2019) at Hexagon 
Manufacturing Intelligence (metrology and manufacturing solution specialist), and Executive Vice 
President, PTC Inc. (digital technology)

Isaac Woods

Vice President and Treasurer since October 1, 2020; previously Director, Finance, Power Control Business 
(from March 2019 - October 2020), Director, Capital Markets (from January 2017 to March 2019), and 
Manager, Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

Francis S. Wlodarczyk

Senior Vice President Intelligent Devices since October 1, 2020; previously Senior Vice President 
(since July 2, 2018) and Vice President, Control and Visualization Business

58 

63

70 

57

58 

48 

57

52

54

59

44

52

53

56

36

56

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.

13

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’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, 2021, there 
were 13,207 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, 2021:

Period

July 1 – 31, 2021

August 1 – 31, 2021

September 1 – 30, 2021

Total

Total Number 
of Shares 
Purchased(1)

Average Price Paid 
Per Share(2)

76,727 

$

62,574 

60,788 

200,089 

293.14 

316.31 

310.74 

305.73 

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)

76,727 

$

591,003,972 

62,574 

60,788 

200,089 

571,211,496 

552,321,985 

(1)  All of the shares purchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, were acquired pursuant to the repurchase program described in (3) below.
(2)  Average price paid per share includes brokerage commissions.
(3)  On July 24, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized us to expend an additional $1.0 billion to repurchase shares of our common stock. Our repurchase program allows 
us to repurchase shares at management’s discretion or at our broker’s discretion pursuant to a share repurchase plan subject to price and volume parameters.

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, 2016, to September 30, 2021, assuming 
in each case a fixed investment of $100 at the respective closing 
prices on September 30, 2016, and reinvestment of all dividends.

14

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

$
300

250

200

150

100

50

$264.96

$226.35

$218.26

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Fiscal Year Ended September 30

Rockwell Automation

S&P 500 Index

S&P Electrical
Components & Equipment

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The cumulative total returns on Rockwell Automation common stock and each index as of September 30, 2016 through 2021 plotted in 
the above graph are as follows:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

$

100.00 $

148.54  $

159.26  $

143.26  $

195.79  $

264.96 

100.00

100.00

2.90

118.61 

120.13 

3.04 

139.85 

139.16 

3.51 

145.80 

134.49 

3.88 

167.89 

156.25 

4.08 

218.26 

226.35 

4.28 

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.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

Not required.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NON-GAAP MEASURES

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

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

	z investments in basic materials production capacity, which may 

be related to commodity pricing levels;

	z our customers’ needs for faster time to market, operational 
productivity, asset management and reliability, and enterprise 
risk management;

	z our customers’ needs to continuously improve quality, safety 

and sustainability;

	z 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;

	z levels of global industrial production and capacity utilization;
	z regional factors that include local political, social, regulatory 

and economic circumstances; and

	z the spending patterns of our customers due to their annual 

budgeting processes and their working schedules.

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

LONG-TERM STRATEGY

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:

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

	z grow market share of our core platforms;
	z drive double digit growth in information solutions and connected 

services; 

	z drive double digit growth in annual recurring revenue;
	z 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;

	z enhance our market access by building our channel capability 

and partner network;

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

	z continuously improve quality and customer experience; and
	z drive annual cost productivity.

By implementing the above strategy, we seek to achieve our 
long-term financial goals, including above-market organic sales 
growth, increasing the portion of our total revenue that is recurring 
in nature, 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 
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 66 
percent of our employees and less than half of our total 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.

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

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

Hybrid

Food & Beverage

Life Sciences

Warehousing & E-commerce

Household & Personal Care

General Industries

Printing & Publishing

Marine

Glass

Fiber & Textiles

Airports

Aerospace

Other Discrete

Tire

Eco Industrial

Water / Wastewater

Waste Management

Mass Transit

Renewable Energy

Process

Oil & Gas

Mining

Metals

Chemicals

Pulp & Paper

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, including those 
related to combating climate change, often spur customers to 
invest to ensure compliance and implement sustainable business 
practices. As customers seek to be more sustainable, our offering 
of hardware and software products provide strategic opportunities 
to appeal to their changing needs and preferences.

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 August 2021, we acquired Plex Systems (Plex), a cloud-native 
smart manufacturing platform. Plex offers a single-instance, 
multi-tenant Software-as-a-Service manufacturing platform 
operating at scale, including advanced manufacturing execution 
systems, quality, and supply chain management capabilities. 

In December 2020, we acquired Fiix Inc., a privately-held, artificial 
intelligence enabled computerized maintenance management 
system  (CMMS)  company  based  in  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada. 
Fiix’s cloud-native CMMS creates workflows for the scheduling, 
organizing, and tracking of equipment maintenance; connects 
seamlessly to business systems; and drives data-driven decisions.

In October 2020, we acquired Oylo, a privately-held industrial 
cybersecurity services provider based in Barcelona, Spain. Oylo is 
dedicated to providing a broad range of industrial control system 
cybersecurity  services  and  solutions  including  assessments, 
turnkey implementations, managed services and incident response.

In April 2020, we acquired ASEM, S.p.A. (ASEM), a provider of digital 
automation technologies. ASEM’s products will allow us to provide 
customers with a high degree of configurability for their industrial 
computing needs, allow them to achieve faster time to market, 
lower their cost of ownership, improve asset utilization, and better 
manage enterprise risk.

In April 2020, we also acquired Kalypso, LP (Kalypso), a privately-
held US-based software delivery and consulting firm specializing 
in the digital transformation of industrial companies with a strong 
client base in life sciences, consumer products and industrial 
high-tech. This acquisition enhances our ability to implement and 
deploy technology and deliver even greater value to our customers.

In January 2020, we acquired Avnet Data Security, LTD (Avnet), 
an Israel-based cybersecurity provider with over 20 years of 
experience providing cybersecurity services. Avnet’s combination 
of service delivery, training, research, and managed services 
enables us to service a much larger set of customers globally 
while also continuing to accelerate our portfolio development in 
this market.

On October 1, 2019, we completed the formation of a joint venture, 
Sensia, a fully integrated digital oilfield automation solutions 
provider. The joint venture leverages Schlumberger’s oil and gas 
domain knowledge and our automation and information expertise. 
Rockwell Automation owns 53% of Sensia and Schlumberger owns 
47% of Sensia.

In October 2019, we also acquired MESTECH Services (MESTECH), 
a  global  provider  of  Manufacturing  Execution  Systems  / 
Manufacturing  Operations  Management,  digital  solutions 
consulting, and systems integration services. The acquisition of 
MESTECH expands our capabilities to profitably grow information 

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

solutions and connected services globally and accelerate our 
ability  to  help  our  customers  execute  digital  transformation 
initiatives.

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 in order to achieve increased productivity, 
heightened plant efficiency, reduced operational risk and better 
system interoperability.

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

ATTRACTING, DEVELOPING, AND RETAINING HIGHLY 
QUALIFIED TALENT

At Rockwell Automation, we promise to expand human possibility 
within  our  company  and  throughout  the  world  of  industrial 
production, and we work to attract and develop highly engaged 
people who can and want to do their best work.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion starts at the top. 
Our 11 board members, 10 of whom are independent, include three 
female and two African American directors. In fiscal year 2021, 
we hired our first chief diversity officer and made investments to 
accelerate our efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion 
across the company. 

A culture of integrity is fundamental to Rockwell’s core values, 
including a formal ethics and compliance organization and an 
Ombuds  office  that  investigates  ethical  and  legal  concerns 
brought forth by employees. In fiscal year 2020, we refreshed 
our code of conduct that along with our partner code of conduct 
and supplier code of conduct prohibits corrupt acts, bribery and 
anticompetitive behavior. Employee training is used to reinforce 
our values companywide, with participation in trainings related to 
ethics, environment, health and safety, and emergency responses 
at or near 100%. 

There are several ways in which we attract, develop, and retain 
highly qualified talent, including:

	z We make the safety and health of our employees a top priority. 
We strive for zero workplace injuries and illnesses and operate 
in a manner that recognizes safety as fundamental to Rockwell 
Automation being a great place to work. In fiscal year 2021, we 
achieved 0.27 recordable cases per 100 employees. 

	z We capture and act upon employee feedback through our annual 
employee engagement survey. It measures several engagement 
indicators  and  drivers  and  provides  an  overall  employee 
engagement index (EEI) with external benchmark comparison. 

The latest survey, conducted in February 2021, showed an EEI 
of 74, which was equal to a global norm for this index. Our global 
inclusion index score was 76, three points higher than the global 
benchmark of 73.

	z We invest in growth and development of our employees. As the 
pace of change increases, it is important we provide re-skilling 
and upskilling opportunities for our technical talent, along with 
soft skills and leadership development for all. We offer a portfolio 
of all employee, managerial and leader training that spans 
on-demand self-paced and virtual live instructor-led formats. 
Our programs focus on basic as well as transformational skills. 
We take pride in our culture and in fiscal year 2021 created an 
opportunity for our employees to participate in team-based 
culture workshops. In fiscal 2021, the majority of our employees 
completed one or more of our training programs representing 
over 100,000 learning hours.

	z We offer employee assistance and work life benefits to all global 
employees. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare 
benefits, disability and life insurance benefits, paid time off, 
and leave programs. Rockwell offers plans and resources to help 
employees meet future savings goals through defined benefit 
and retirement savings plans. We offer flextime, remote work, 
and part-time arrangements whenever business conditions 
permit. 

We monitor employee retention and attrition rates by demographic 
factors  including  by  gender,  ethnicity,  generation,  years  of 
service, career role, region, business, and function. We generally 
experienced higher attrition rates in fiscal year 2021 as compared 
to fiscal year 2020. We believe the increase is consistent with 
market trends experienced broadly across labor markets in fiscal 
2021. We use attrition rate information to identify and address 
unfavorable trends to mitigate risk to our business. See Item 1A. 
Risk Factors for a discussion of risks relating to our inability to 
attract, develop, and retain highly qualified talent. 

At September 30, 2021, our employees, including those employed 
by consolidated subsidiaries, by region were approximately:

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Total employees

9,500

5,000

5,500

4,500

24,500

Our employees had the following global gender demographics:

All employees

Engineers

Manufacturing Associates

Individual Contributors

People Managers

September 30, 2021

Women

32%

15%

49%

36%

25%

Men

68%

85%

51%

64%

75%

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our U.S. employees had the following race and ethnicity demographics based on voluntary disclosure:

September 30, 2021

All U.S. 
Employees

Engineers

Manufacturing 
Associates

Individual 
Contributors

People 
Managers

Black / African American

Asian

Hispanic / Latinx

White

Multiracial, Native American and Pacific Islander

Undisclosed

7%

10%

5%

75%

1%

2%

4%

12%

5%

77%

1%

1%

14%

14%

4%

56%

2%

10%

Fiscal 2021 quarter ended:

September 2021

June 2021

March 2021

December 2020

Fiscal 2020 quarter ended:

September 2020

June 2020

March 2020

December 2019

Fiscal 2019 quarter ended:

September 2019

June 2019

March 2019

December 2018

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 2021, sales in the U.S. accounted for over half of our total 
sales. The various indicators we use to gauge the direction and 
momentum of our served U.S. markets include:

	z 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 2017. 
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.

	z 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 2019 to 2021. These figures are as of the date of this filing 
and are subject to revision by the issuing organizations. The IP 
index continued to improve during the quarter, reaching the pre-
pandemic level in August before declining below that level again 
in September. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, PMI continues 
to be well above 50. The September PMI represents the sixteenth 
consecutive month of expansion in the overall economy.

NON-U.S. ECONOMIC TRENDS

In  2021,  sales  to  customers  outside  the  U.S.  accounted  for 
less than half of our total sales. These customers include both 
indigenous companies and multinational companies with a 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 key countries’ gross domestic product and IP as indicators of 
the growth opportunities in each region where we do business. 

Industrial output and PMI outside the U.S. was mixed in the fourth 
quarter of fiscal 2021. Industrial output projections for the first 
quarter of fiscal 2022 are varied with some regions projected to 
grow sequentially and others projected to contract.

19

6%

6%

6%

79%

2%

1%

6%

8%

5%

80%

1%

—%

IP Index

PMI

100.9 

99.9 

98.3 

97.4 

95.5 

87.1 

100.0 

101.7 

102.4 

102.4 

103.0 

103.9 

61.1 

60.6 

64.7 

60.5 

55.4 

52.6 

49.1 

47.8 

48.2 

51.6 

54.6 

54.3 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SUPPLY CHAIN 

We have a global supply chain, including a network of suppliers 
and distribution and manufacturing facilities. The supply chain 
is stressed by increased demand, along with pandemic-related 
and other global events that have put additional pressures on 
manufacturing output and freight lanes. This has resulted in and 
could continue to result in:

	z disruptions in our supply chain;
	z difficulty in procuring or inability to procure components and 
materials necessary for our hardware and software products, 
solutions and services;

	z increased costs for commodities, components, and freight 

services; and

	z delays in delivering, or an inability to deliver, our hardware and 

software products, solutions, and services.

We  are  closely  managing  our  end-to-end  supply  chain,  from 
sourcing to production to customer delivery, with a particular 
focus on all critical and at-risk suppliers and supplier locations 
globally.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In fiscal 2020, we experienced a significant disruption to our 
business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted 
demand for our hardware and software products, services and 
solutions. In response to the pandemic we implemented enhanced 
policies and procedures for employee safety and we implemented 
temporary cost reduction actions and other adjustments to our 

cost structure. Restrictions on physical access to customer, 
manufacturing and office facilities has created and continues to 
create inefficiencies and execution delays.

We continue to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 
all aspects of our business and geographies. Uncertainty on the 
duration and severity of those impacts remain as new variants of 
the virus have emerged and the evolving nature of vaccine roll-
outs and regulations. New regulations for vaccines and COVID-19 
testing and health and safety requirements have been announced 
and additional regulations may be announced in the jurisdictions 
in which our business operates. We are continuously responding 
to the changing conditions created by the pandemic and evolving 
regulations  and  remain  focused  on  our  priorities  including 
employee health and safety, our customer needs, and protecting 
critical investments to drive long-term differentiation.

We have seen a recovery in demand for our hardware and software 
products, services, and solutions during fiscal 2021, allowing us 
to reverse our temporary cost reduction actions, and we expect 
this to continue into fiscal 2022. We continue to monitor and to 
respond to the impacts on our businesses from macroeconomic 
effects including the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, supply 
chain constraints, and materials and labor shortages.

OUTLOOK

The table below provides guidance for sales growth and earnings 
per share for fiscal 2022. Our guidance reflects strong demand as 
well as record backlog entering into fiscal year 2022. Supply chain 
challenges remain dynamic, and our projections assume gradual 
improvement over the course of the year.

Sales Growth Guidance

EPS Guidance

Reported sales growth

Organic sales growth(1)

Inorganic sales growth(2) 

Currency translation

16% - 19%

14% - 17%

~ 2%

~ 0%

Diluted EPS

Adjusted EPS(1)

$9.91 - $10.51

$10.50 - $11.10

(1)  Organic sales growth and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. See Supplemental Sales Information and Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted 

Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation for more information on these non-GAAP measures.
(2)  Estimate for incremental sales resulting from businesses acquired in fiscal year 2021.

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ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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

Sales

Intelligent Devices (a)

Software & Control (b)

Lifecycle Services (c)

Total sales (d)

Segment operating earnings(1)

Intelligent Devices (e)

Software & Control (f)

Lifecycle Services (g)

Total segment operating earnings(2) (h)

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization

Corporate and other

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (cost) credit

Gain (loss) on investments

Valuation adjustments related to the registration of PTC Shares

Legal settlement

Interest (expense) income, net

Income before income taxes (i)

Income tax provision

Net income

Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROCKWELL AUTOMATION

DILUTED EPS

ADJUSTED EPS(3)

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE OUTSTANDING SHARES

Pre-tax margin (i/d)

Intelligent Devices segment operating margin (e/a)

Software & Control segment operating margin (f/b)

Lifecycle Services segment operating margin (g/c)

Total segment operating margin(2) (h/d)

$

$

$

$

$

$

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

3,311.9 

$

2,956.0 

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,947.0 

1,738.5 

6,997.4 

702.1 

531.0 

158.2 

1,391.3 

(55.1)

(120.6)

(63.8)

397.4 

— 

70.0 

(93.0)

1,526.2 

(181.9)

1,344.3 

(13.8)

1,358.1 

11.58 

9.43 

117.1 

21.8 %

21.2 %

27.3 %

9.1 %

19.9 %

$

$

$

$

$

1,681.3 

1,692.5 

6,329.8 

587.8 

473.8 

196.3 

1,257.9 

(41.4)

(98.9)

(37.4)

153.9 

— 

— 

(98.0)

1,136.1 

(112.9)

1,023.2 

(0.2)

1,023.4 

8.77 

7.87 

116.6 

17.9 %

19.9 %

28.2 %

11.6 %

19.9 %

3,279.7 

1,790.0 

1,625.1 

6,694.8 

697.0 

531.2 

245.4 

1,473.6 

(16.6)

(108.8)

8.4 

(402.2)

33.7 

— 

(87.1)

901.0 

(205.2)

695.8 

— 

695.8 

5.83 

8.78 

119.3 

13.5 %

21.3 %

29.7 %

15.1 %

22.0 %

(1)  See Note 19 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the definition of segment operating earnings.
(2)  Total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin are non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude purchase accounting depreciation and 
amortization,  corporate  and  other,  non-operating  pension  and  postretirement  benefit  (cost)  credit,  gains  and  losses  on  investments,  the  $70  million  legal 
settlement in fiscal 2021, valuation adjustments related to the registration of the PTC Shares in fiscal 2019, 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 total segment operating 
earnings and total segment operating margin are useful to investors as measures of operating performance. We use these measures to monitor and evaluate 
the profitability of our operating segments. Our measures of total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin may be different from 
measures used by other companies.

(3)  Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP earnings measure. See Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation for more information on 

this non-GAAP measure.

21

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
PART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2021 COMPARED TO 2020

SALES

Sales in fiscal 2021 increased 10.5 percent compared to 2020. Organic sales increased 6.7 percent of which approximately 1 percent was 
due to pricing. Currency translation increased sales by 2.3 percentage points. Acquisitions increased sales by 1.5 percentage points. 
Organic annual recurring revenue (ARR) at September 30, 2021 grew approximately 18 percent compared to September 30, 2020. See 
Organic Annual Recurring Revenue for information on this measure.

The table below presents our sales, attributed to the geographic regions based upon country of destination, for the year ended 
September 30, 2021, 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, 2021

Change vs.  
Year Ended 
September 30, 2020

Change in Organic
Sales(1) vs.  
Year Ended 
September 30, 2020

$

$

4,132.8 

1,405.7 

1,012.2 

446.7 

6,997.4 

9.9 %

12.5 %

16.5 %

(1.1)%

10.5 %

8.0 %

2.8 %

10.3 %

(0.1)%

6.7 %

(1)  Organic sales and organic sales growth exclude the effect of acquisitions, changes in currency exchange rates, and divestitures. See Supplemental Sales 

Information for information on these non-GAAP measures.

	z Reported and organic sales in North America increased in 
discrete and hybrid industries, partially offset by weakness in 
process industries, particularly Oil & Gas.

	z EMEA  reported  and  organic  sales  increased  primarily  due 
to  strength  in  Food  &  Beverage  and  Tire.  Reported  sales 
also increased due to currency translation and sales from 
acquisitions. 

	z Asia Pacific reported and organic sales increased year over year, 
primarily due to strength in Semiconductor, Life Sciences, and 
Tire. Reported sales also increased due to favorable currency 
translation. 

	z Reported and organic sales in Latin America decreased year 
over year, primarily due to weakness in Mining and Oil & Gas, 
partially offset by growth in Food & Beverage.

CORPORATE AND OTHER 

Corporate and other expenses were $120.6 million in fiscal 2021 
compared  to  $98.9  million  in  fiscal  2020.  The  increase  was 
primarily driven by deal costs associated with the acquisition of 
Plex Systems.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes increased to $1,526.2 million in 
2021 from $1,136.1 million in 2020, primarily due to fair-value 
adjustments recognized in 2021 and 2020 in connection with 
our investment in PTC (the “PTC adjustments”), higher operating 
earnings, and a $70 million pre-tax favorable legal settlement in 
the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Total segment operating earnings 
increased to $1,391.3 million from $1,257.9 million in 2020, primarily 
due  to  higher  sales,  partially  offset  by  the  reinstatement  of 
incentive compensation and the reversal of temporary pay actions 
taken in fiscal 2020.

INCOME TAXES

The  effective  tax  rate  in  2021  was  11.9  percent  compared  to 
9.9 percent in 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate was 
primarily due to the effect of tax benefits recognized upon the 
formation of the Sensia joint venture in fiscal 2020 and other 
discrete items. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate in 2021 was 
11.6 percent compared to 12.4 percent in 2020. The decrease in the 
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate was primarily due to higher discrete 
benefits in the current year.

See  Note  16  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 2021 
and 2020 affecting each year’s respective tax rates.

DILUTED EPS AND ADJUSTED EPS

Fiscal 2021 net income attributable to Rockwell Automation was 
$1,358.1 million or $11.58 per share, compared to $1,023.4 million 
or $8.77 per share in fiscal 2020. The increase in net income 
attributable  to  Rockwell  Automation  and  diluted  EPS  were 
primarily due to higher sales and the PTC adjustments, partially 
offset by the reinstatement of incentive compensation and the 
reversal of temporary pay actions taken in fiscal 2020. Adjusted 
EPS was $9.43 in fiscal 2021, up 19.8 percent compared to $7.87 
in fiscal 2020, primarily due to higher sales, partially offset by 
the reinstatement of incentive compensation and the reversal of 
temporary pay actions taken in fiscal 2020.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

The following is a discussion of our results by operating segment. 
See  Note  19  in  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for 
additional information on each segment and our definition of 
segment operating earnings.

22

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTELLIGENT DEVICES

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

SALES

Intelligent Devices sales increased 12.0 percent in 2021 compared 
to 2020. Organic sales increased 9.7 percent. The effects of 
currency translation increased sales by 2.3 percentage points. 
All regions experienced sales increases.

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

Intelligent  Devices  segment  operating  earnings  increased 
19.4 percent. Segment operating margin increased to 21.2% in 
2021 from 19.9% in 2020, primarily due to higher sales, partially 
offset by the reinstatement of incentive compensation.

SOFTWARE & CONTROL

SALES

Software  &  Control  segment  operating  earnings  increased 
12.1 percent year over year. Segment operating margin decreased 
to 27.3% in 2021 from 28.2% percent a year ago, primarily due 
to higher planned investment spend and the reinstatement of 
incentive compensation, partially offset by higher sales.

LIFECYCLE SERVICES

SALES

Lifecycle Services sales increased 2.7 percent in 2021 compared 
to 2020. Organic sales decreased 1.8 percent. The effects of 
currency translation increased sales by 2.2 percentage points 
and  acquisitions  increased  sales  by  2.3  percentage  points. 
Reported sales increased in EMEA and Asia Pacific, were flat in 
North America, and decreased in Latin America. Organic sales 
decreased in all regions except Asia Pacific.

Software & Control sales increased 15.8 percent in 2021 compared 
to 2020. Organic sales increased 10.0 percent. The effects of 
currency translation increased sales by 2.5 percentage points and 
acquisitions increased sales by 3.3 percentage points. All regions 
experienced sales increases.

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

Lifecycle  Services  segment  operating  earnings  decreased 
19.4 percent year over year. Segment operating margin decreased 
to 9.1% in 2021 from 11.6% percent a year ago, primarily due to the 
reinstatement of incentive compensation.

2020 COMPARED TO 2019 

SALES

Sales in fiscal 2020 decreased 5.5 percent compared to 2019. Organic sales decreased 7.8 percent of which pricing increased sales 
by approximately 1 percentage point. Currency translation decreased sales by 1.2 percentage points. Acquisitions increased sales by 
3.5 percentage points.

The table below presents our sales, attributed to the geographic regions based upon country of destination, for the year ended 
September 30, 2020, 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, 2020

Change vs.  
Year Ended 
September 30, 2019

Change in Organic
Sales(1) vs.  
Year Ended 
September 30, 2019

$

$

3,760.2 

1,249.3 

868.7 

451.6 

6,329.8 

(6.3)%

— %

(4.4)%

(13.5)%

(5.5)%

(8.5)%

(6.5)%

(5.3)%

(9.5)%

(7.8)%

(1)  Organic sales and organic sales growth exclude the effect of acquisitions, changes in currency exchange rates, and divestitures. See Supplemental Sales 

Information for information on these non-GAAP measures.

	z Sales  in  North  America  decreased  year  over  year,  led  by 

	z Asia Pacific sales decreased year over year, due to weakness in 

weakness in Oil & Gas, Metals, and Pulp & Paper.

Oil & Gas and Food & Beverage. 

	z EMEA  sales  remained  flat  year  over  year.  Organic  sales 

	z Sales in Latin America decreased year over year, primarily due 

decreased, driven by weak process industries and Tire. 

to Oil & Gas, Automotive, and Mining.

23

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CORPORATE AND OTHER 

INTELLIGENT DEVICES

Corporate and other expenses were $98.9 million in fiscal 2020 
compared to $108.8 million in fiscal 2019.

SALES

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes increased 26 percent from $901.0 
million in 2019 to $1,136.1 million in 2020, primarily due to the 
PTC adjustments, partially offset by lower sales. Total segment 
operating earnings decreased 15 percent year over year from 
$1,473.6 million in 2019 to $1,257.9 million in 2020, primarily due 
to lower sales, partially offset by a combination of temporary and 
structural cost actions.

INCOME TAXES

The  effective  tax  rate  in  2020  was  9.9  percent  compared  to 
22.8 percent in 2019. The decrease in the effective tax rate was 
primarily due to the PTC adjustments, tax benefits recognizable 
upon the formation of the Sensia joint venture, and other discrete 
items. The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate in 2020 was 12.4 percent 
compared to 17.9 percent in 2019. The decrease in the Adjusted 
Effective Tax Rate was primarily due to our benefit from non-U.S. 
tax rates, tax benefits recognizable upon the formation of the 
Sensia joint venture, and other discrete items.

See  Note  16  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 2020 
and 2019 affecting each year’s respective tax rates.

DILUTED EPS AND ADJUSTED EPS

Fiscal 2020 net income attributable to Rockwell Automation was 
$1,023.4 million or $8.77 per share, compared to $695.8 million 
or $5.83 per share in fiscal 2019. The increase in net income 
attributable to Rockwell Automation and diluted EPS were primarily 
due to the PTC adjustments, partially offset by lower sales. Fiscal 
2020 Adjusted EPS was $7.87, down 10.4 percent compared to 
$8.78 in fiscal 2019, primarily due to lower sales, partially offset by 
a combination of temporary and structural cost actions.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

The following is a discussion of our results by operating segment. 
See  Note  19  in  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for 
additional information on each segment and our definition of 
segment operating earnings.

Intelligent Devices sales decreased 9.9 percent in 2020 compared 
to 2019. Organic sales decreased 8.8 percent and the effect of 
currency translation decreased sales by 1.1 percentage points. 
All regions experienced sales declines.

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

Intelligent  Devices  segment  operating  earnings  decreased 
15.7 percent. Operating margin was 19.9% percent in 2020 compared 
to 21.3% percent in 2019, primarily due to lower sales, partially offset 
by a combination of temporary and structural cost actions.

SOFTWARE & CONTROL

SALES

Software & Control sales decreased 6.1 percent in 2020 compared 
to  2019.  Organic  sales  decreased  5.9  percent,  the  effect  of 
currency translation decreased sales by 1.2 percentage points, and 
acquisitions increased sales by 1.0 percentage points. All regions 
experienced sales declines.

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

Software  &  Control  segment  operating  earnings  decreased 
10.8  percent  year  over  year.  Segment  operating  margin  was 
28.2  percent  in  2020  compared  to  29.7  percent  a  year  ago, 
primarily due to lower sales, partially offset by a combination of 
temporary and structural cost actions.

LIFECYCLE SERVICES

SALES

Lifecycle Services sales increased 4.1 percent in 2020 compared 
to  2019.  Organic  sales  decreased  7.8  percent,  the  effect  of 
currency translation decreased sales by 1.4 percentage points, and 
acquisitions increased sales by 13.3 percentage points. Reported 
sales increased in all regions except Latin America, and all regions 
experienced organic sales declines.

SEGMENT OPERATING MARGIN

Lifecycle  Services  segment  operating  earnings  decreased 
20.0 percent year over year. Segment operating margin was 
11.6 percent in 2020 compared to 15.1 percent a year ago, primarily 
due to lower organic sales and the impact of acquisitions, partially 
offset by a combination of temporary and structural cost actions.

24

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT INFORMATION

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

Intelligent Devices

Software & Control

Lifecycle Services

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit cost (credit)

Intelligent Devices

Software & Control

Lifecycle Services

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

$

2.7  $

2.9  $

19.2 

32.1 

6.7 

30.8 

$

14.1  $

7.4  $

14.1 

18.8 

7.4 

9.9 

3.3 

4.8 

7.4 

(4.2)

(4.2)

(5.5)

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  cost  (credit),  purchase 
accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell 
Automation,  net  income  (loss)  attributable  to  noncontrolling 
interests, and gains and losses on investments, including their 
respective tax effects. Non-operating pension and postretirement 
benefit cost (credit) is defined as all components of our net periodic 
pension and postretirement benefit cost except for service cost. 
See Note 14 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for more 
information  on  our  net  periodic  pension  and  postretirement 
benefit cost. 

Beginning in fiscal 2021, we changed our definition of Adjusted 
Income and Adjusted EPS to exclude the impact of purchase 

accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell 
Automation, including the related tax effects. The definition of 
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate also changed to correspond to the 
purchase accounting items now being excluded from Adjusted 
Income. We believe these new definitions provide more useful 
information  about  our  operating  performance  and  allow 
management and investors to better compare our operating 
performance period over period, compared to our prior definitions 
of these measures given our increased inorganic investments. All 
previously reported amounts within this filing have been recast 
to conform to this new definition. 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 net income attributable to Rockwell 
Automation, diluted EPS and effective tax rate. 

25

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following are reconciliations of net income attributable to Rockwell Automation, diluted EPS 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 attributable to Rockwell Automation

$

1,358.1 

$

1,023.4 

$

695.8 

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

$

$

63.8 

(16.0)

43.2 

(10.5)

(397.4)

64.7 

1,105.9 

11.58 

0.55 

(0.14)

0.37 

(0.09)

(3.39)

0.55 

$

$

37.4 

(10.1)

29.4 

(7.0)

(153.9)

— 

919.2 

8.77 

0.32 

(0.09)

0.25 

(0.06)

(1.32)

— 

$

$

$

9.43 

$

7.87 

$

(8.4)

1.0 

16.6 

(3.2)

368.5 

(21.7)

1,048.6 

5.83 

(0.07)

0.01 

0.14 

(0.03)

3.08 

(0.18)

8.78 

11.9 %

0.5 %

0.4 %

(1.2)%

11.6 %

9.9 %

0.6 %

0.4 %

1.5 %

12.4 %

22.8 %

0.1 %

— %

(5.0)%

17.9 %

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit cost (credit)

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

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell 
Automation

Tax effect of purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to 
Rockwell Automation

Change in fair value of investments(1) 

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

ADJUSTED INCOME

Diluted EPS

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit cost (credit)

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

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell 
Automation

Tax effect of purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to 
Rockwell Automation

Change in fair value of investments(1) 

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

ADJUSTED EPS

Effective tax rate

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

Tax effect of purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to 
Rockwell Automation

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

ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

(1) 

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

26

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Diluted EPS

Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell Automation

Tax effect of purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell Automation

Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (credit) cost

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

Change in fair value of investments(1)

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

ADJUSTED EPS(2)

Effective tax rate

Tax effect of purchase accounting depreciation and amortization attributable to Rockwell Automation

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

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

ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

Fiscal 2022 
Guidance

$9.91 - $10.51

0.87

(0.21)

(0.08)

0.01

—

—

$10.50 - $11.10

~ 16.5%

~ 0.5%

~ —%

~ —%

~ 17.0%

(1)  Fiscal 2022 guidance excludes estimates of changes in fair value of investments on a forward-looking basis due to variability, complexity, and limited visibility 

of these items.

(2)  Fiscal 2022 guidance based on Adjusted Income attributable to Rockwell, which includes an adjustment for Schlumberger’s non-controlling interest in Sensia.

ORGANIC ANNUAL RECURRING REVENUE

ARR is a key metric that enables measurement of progress in growing our recurring revenue business. It represents the annual contract 
value of all active recurring revenue contracts at any point in time. Recurring revenue is defined as a revenue stream that is contractual, 
typically for a period of 12 months or more, and has a high probability of renewal. The probability of renewal is based on historical renewal 
experience of the individual revenue streams, or management’s best estimates if historical renewal experience is not available. Organic 
ARR growth is calculated as the dollar change in ARR, adjusted to exclude the effects of currency translation and acquisitions, divided 
by ARR as of the prior period. The effects of currency translation are excluded by calculating Organic ARR on a constant currency 
basis. When we acquire businesses, we exclude the effect of ARR in the current period for which there was no comparable ARR in the 
prior period. Organic ARR growth is also used as a financial measure of performance for our annual incentive compensation. Because 
ARR is based on annual contract value, it does not represent revenue recognized during a particular reporting period or revenue to be 
recognized in future reporting periods and is not intended to be a substitute for revenue, contract liabilities, or backlog.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

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

Cash provided by (used for):

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

$

1,261.0  $

1,120.5  $

1,182.0 

(2,626.6)

1,297.8 

16.8 

(618.0)

(798.9)

8.4 

225.0 

(985.9)

(21.5)

CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS

$

(51.0) $

(288.0) $

399.6 

27

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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 Consolidated 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 $1,261.0 million for the 
year ended September 30, 2021, compared to $1,120.5 million for 
the year ended September 30, 2020. Free cash flow was $1,140.7 
million for the year ended September 30, 2021, compared to 
$1,006.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2020. The 
year-over-year increase in cash provided by operating activities 
and free cash flow were primarily due to higher pre-tax income, 

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

$

$

1,261.0  $

1,120.5  $

1,182.0 

(120.3)

(113.9)

(132.8)

1,140.7  $

1,006.6  $

1,049.2 

including the $70 million favorable legal settlement in the first 
quarter of fiscal 2021, and a decrease in incentive compensation 
payments, partially offset by higher working capital and income 
tax payments in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020.

We repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of our common 
stock under our share repurchase program in 2021 at a total cost 
of $301.4 million and an average cost of $263.43 per share. In 2020, 
we repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of our common 
stock under our share repurchase program at a total cost of $254.7 
million and an average cost of $182.18 per share. At September 30, 
2021, there were $1.8 million of outstanding common stock share 
repurchases recorded in accounts payable that did not settle 
until 2022. At September 30, 2020, there were no outstanding 
common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable. 
Our decision to repurchase shares in 2022 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 $1.0 billion to 
repurchase  shares  of  our  common  stock.  At  September  30, 
2021, we had approximately $552.3 million remaining for share 
repurchases under our existing board authorizations. See Item 5. 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder 
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, for additional 
information regarding share repurchases.

We expect future uses of cash to include working capital requirements, capital expenditures, additional contributions to our retirement 
plans, acquisitions of businesses and other inorganic investments, dividends to shareowners, repurchases of common stock and 
repayments of debt. We expect capital expenditures in 2022 to be approximately $165 million. Significant long-term uses of cash include 
the following (in millions):

Total

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Thereafter

Payments by Period

Long-term debt and interest(a)

$

6,051.1  $

113.0  $

713.0  $

110.9  $

405.9  $

102.3  $

4,606.0 

Minimum lease payments (Note 18)

446.0 

101.8 

84.8 

64.8 

51.5 

57.4 

296.0 

5.8 

57.4 

31.2 

5.5 

— 

31.1 

5.1 

— 

58.4 

47.1 

4.8 

— 

77.9 

34.6 

4.5 

— 

97.4 

112.9 

25.8 

— 

— 

Postretirement benefits(b)

Pension funding contribution(c)

Transition tax(d)

TOTAL

$

6,902.0  $

309.2  $

834.4  $

239.2  $

535.7  $

238.8  $

4,744.7 

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

exclude unamortized discount. See Note 7 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our long-term debt.

28

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(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. Contributions to our pension plans beyond 2022 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 
2022 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)  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.

We expect to fund future uses of cash with a combination of 
existing cash balances, cash generated by operating activities, 
commercial paper borrowings or a new issuance of debt or other 
securities.  In  addition,  we  have  access  to  unsecured  credit 
facilities with various banks. 

At  September  30,  2021,  the  majority  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 we began to account for substantially all 
of our non-U.S. subsidiaries as being immediately subject to tax, 
while still concluding that earnings are indefinitely reinvested for 
a limited number of subsidiaries.

Our  short-term  debt  as  of  September  30,  2021,  includes 
$484.0 million of commercial paper borrowings with a weighted 
average  interest  rate  of  0.18  percent  and  weighted  average 
maturity period of 90 days. There were no commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Also included 
in  short-term  debt  as  of  September  30,  2021  and  2020  are 
$23.5 million of interest-bearing loans from Schlumberger to 
Sensia which were originally due September 30, 2020, and are now 
due December 31, 2021. The short-term loans from Schlumberger 
were entered into following formation of Sensia in fiscal 2020. 

In August 2021, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount 
of long-term notes in a registered public offering. The offering 
consisted of $600.0 million of 0.35% notes due in August 2023, 
$450.0 million of 1.75% notes due in August 2031, and $450.0 million 
of 2.80% notes due in August 2061, all issued at a discount. Net 
proceeds to the Company from the debt offering were $1,485.6 
million.  We  used  these  net  proceeds  primarily  to  fund  the 
acquisition of Plex. Refer to Note 4 in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information on this acquisition. 

We entered into treasury locks to manage the potential change 
in interest rates in anticipation of the issuance of the $1.5 billion 
aggregate  notes  in  August  2021.  These  treasury  locks  were 
designated as and accounted for as cash flow hedges. 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 notes, the Company made a  net payment of $28.0 
million to the counterparties. The $28.0 million net loss on the 
settlement of the treasury locks was recorded in Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax effect and is being amortized 
over the term of the corresponding notes as an adjustment to 
interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In April 2020, we entered into a $400.0 million senior unsecured 
364-day term loan credit agreement and were advanced the 
full loan amount. Interest on these borrowings was based on 
short-term money market rates in effect during the period the 
borrowings were outstanding. We repaid the $400.0 million term 
loan in September 2020.

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 3.50% notes due in March 2029 
(“2029 Notes”) and $575.0 million of 4.20% 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, 
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.

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 the facility during the periods ended September 30, 2021 or 
2020. 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 primary basis for determining interest payments on 
borrowings under our $1.25 billion credit facility. Banks currently 
reporting information used to set U.S dollar LIBOR are currently 
expected to stop doing so during 2023. Various parties, including 
government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate 
to replace LIBOR. We are monitoring their efforts, and we will likely 
seek to amend contracts to accommodate any replacement rate 
where one is not already provided.

29

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Separate short-term unsecured credit facilities of approximately 
$230.8 million at September 30, 2021, were available to non-U.S. 
subsidiaries. Borrowings under our non-U.S. credit facilities at 
September 30, 2021 and 2020, were not significant. We were 
in  compliance  with  all  covenants  under  our  credit  facilities 
at  September  30,  2021  and  2020.  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.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, as a result of the additional 
leverage added to fund the Plex acquisition, Standard & Poor’s 
elected to downgrade our Outlook from “Stable” to “Negative”. No 
changes were made to existing ratings by Moody’s or Fitch. The 
following is a summary of our credit ratings as of September 30, 
2021:

Credit Rating Agency

Standard & Poor’s

Moody’s

Fitch Ratings

Short Term Rating

Long Term Rating

Outlook

A-1

P-2

F1

A

A3

A

Negative

Stable

Stable

Our ability to access the commercial paper market, and the related 
costs of these borrowings, is affected by the strength of our credit 
ratings and market conditions. Conditions in the commercial 
paper  market  have  improved  since  the  COVID-19  pandemic 
negatively affected this market in March and April 2020, and we 
have not experienced any difficulty in accessing the commercial 
paper market. 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.

We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage 
certain foreign currency risks. We enter into these contracts to 
hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate variability in 

the expected future cash flows associated with certain third-party 
and intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies 
forecasted to occur within the next two years. We also use these 
contracts to hedge portions of our net investments in certain non-
U.S. subsidiaries against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations 
on the translation of foreign currency balances to the U.S. dollar. In 
addition, we use foreign currency forward exchange contracts that 
are not designated as hedges to offset transaction gains or losses 
associated with some of our assets and liabilities resulting from 
intercompany loans or other transactions with third parties that 
are denominated in currencies other than our entities’ functional 
currencies. Our foreign currency forward exchange contracts are 
usually denominated in currencies of major industrial countries. 
We diversify our foreign currency forward exchange contracts 
among counterparties to minimize exposure to any one of these 
entities.

Cash dividends declared to shareowners were $497.5 million in 
2021 ($4.28 per common share), $472.8 million in 2020 ($4.08 per 
common share) and $459.8 million in 2019 ($3.88 per common 
share). Our quarterly dividend rate as of September 30, 2021 is 
$1.07 per common share ($4.28 per common share annually), which 
is determined at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.

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 acquisitions and changes in currency 
exchange rates, 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 acquisitions and changes in 
currency exchange rates. We use organic sales as one measure 
to monitor and evaluate our regional and operating segment 

performance. When we acquire businesses, we exclude sales 
in the current period for which there are no comparable sales in 
the prior period. 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 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.

30

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 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):

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Year Ended September 30, 2021

Sales

Effect of 
Acquisitions

Effect of
Changes in 
Currency

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2020

Organic
Sales

Sales

$

4,132.8  $

(48.1) $

(24.6)  $

4,060.1  $

3,760.2 

1,405.7 

1,012.2 

446.7 

(44.9)

(0.6)

(0.3)

(76.9)

(53.1)

4.7 

1,283.9 

1,249.3 

958.5 

451.1 

868.7 

451.6 

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$

6,997.4  $

(93.9) $

(149.9) $

6,753.6  $

6,329.8 

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2019

Sales

4,014.3 

1,249.8 

908.6 

522.1 

Year Ended September 30, 2020

Sales

Effect of
Acquisitions

Effect of
Changes in 
Currency

Organic
Sales

North America

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Latin America

$

3,760.2  $

(91.5) $

4.0  $

3,672.7  $

1,249.3 

868.7 

451.6 

(97.0)

(22.3)

(23.1)

16.7 

13.7 

43.8 

1,169.0 

860.1 

472.3 

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$

6,329.8  $

(233.9) $

78.2  $

6,174.1  $

6,694.8 

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

Intelligent Devices

Software & Control

Lifecycle Services

Year Ended September 30, 2021

Sales

Effect of
Acquisitions

Effect of
Changes in 
Currency

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2020

Organic
Sales

Sales

$

3,311.9  $

—  $

(70.5) $

3,241.4  $

2,956.0 

1,947.0 

1,738.5 

(54.8)

(39.1)

(42.1)

(37.3)

1,850.1 

1,662.1 

1,681.3 

1,692.5 

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$

6,997.4  $

(93.9) $

(149.9) $

6,753.6  $

6,329.8 

Intelligent Devices

Software & Control

Lifecycle Services

Year Ended September 30, 2020

Sales

Effect of
Acquisitions

Effect of
Changes in 
Currency

Year Ended 
September 30, 
2019

Organic
Sales

Sales

$

2,956.0  $

—  $

36.2  $

2,992.2  $

3,279.7 

1,681.3 

1,692.5 

(17.1)

(216.8)

19.4 

22.6 

1,683.6 

1,498.3 

1,790.0 

1,625.1 

TOTAL COMPANY SALES

$

6,329.8  $

(233.9) $

78.2  $

6,174.1  $

6,694.8 

31

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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.

GOODWILL - SENSIA REPORTING UNIT

The quantitative test of goodwill for impairment requires us to 
estimate the fair value of our reporting units. During the second 
quarter of 2021, we performed a quantitative impairment test for 
our Sensia reporting unit. We determined the fair value of the 
reporting unit under a combination of an income approach derived 
from discounted cash flows and a market multiples approach 
using selected comparable public companies.

Critical assumptions used in this approach included management’s 
estimated future revenue growth rates, estimated future margins, 
and discount rate. Estimated future revenue growth and margins 
are based on management’s best estimate about current and 
future conditions. Although we believe the assumptions and 
estimates made were reasonable and appropriate, these estimates 
are based on a number of factors, including historical experience 
and  information  obtained  from  reporting  unit  management. 
Actual results and forecasts of revenue growth and margins for 
our Sensia reporting unit may be impacted by its concentration 
within the Oil & Gas industry and with its customer base.  Demand 
for Sensia hardware and software products, solutions and services 
is sensitive to industry volatility and risks, including those related 
to commodity prices, supply and demand dynamics, production 
costs, geological activity, and political activities. We determined 
the discount rate using our weighted average cost of capital 
adjusted  for  risk  factors  specific  to  the  reporting  unit,  with 
comparison to market and industry data. A hypothetical 10 percent 
decrease in the fair value of this reporting unit would not impact 
our conclusion that goodwill was not impaired.

More  information  regarding  goodwill  impairment  testing  is 
contained in Note 1 and Note 3 in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

ACQUISITIONS - PLEX INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
VALUATION

The accounting for a business combination requires the excess 
of the purchase price for the acquisition over the net book value 
of assets acquired to be allocated to the identifiable assets of the 
acquired entity. Any unallocated portion is recognized as goodwill. 

We engaged an independent third-party valuation specialist to 
assist with the fair value allocation of the purchase price paid for 
the acquisition of Plex to intangible assets. This required the use 
of several assumptions and estimates including the customer 
attrition  rate,  forecasted  cash  flows  attributable  to  existing 
customers, and the discount rate for the customer relationship 
intangible asset and the royalty rate, forecasted revenue growth 
rates, and the discount rate for the technology intangible asset. 
Although we believe the assumptions and estimates made were 
reasonable and appropriate, these estimates require judgment 
and are based in part on historical experience and information 
obtained from Plex management. 

The  key  assumption  requiring  the  use  of  judgement  in  the 
valuation of the customer relationship intangible asset was the 
customer  attrition  rate  of  5  percent.  This  rate  was  selected 
based on historical experience and information obtained from 
Plex management. A change in the customer attrition rate of 250 
basis points would result in a change of $63 million in intangible 
assets. The key assumptions requiring the use of judgement in 
the valuation of the technology intangible asset were the royalty 
rate of 25 percent and the obsolescence factor. The royalty rate 
was based on a detailed analysis considering the importance of 
the technology to the overall enterprise and market royalty data. 
A change in the royalty rate of 500 basis points would result in 
a change of $47 million in intangible assets. The obsolescence 
factor was calculated assuming phase out over ten years based on 
discussions with Plex management, the nature of the technology, 
its integration into customers’ manufacturing systems, and other 
third-party information for similar transactions. A two-year change 
in this assumption would result in a change of $52 million in 
intangible assets.

More information regarding this business combination is contained 
in Note 4 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS — PENSION

Pension costs and obligations are actuarially determined and 
are influenced by assumptions used to estimate these amounts, 
including the discount rate. 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 2021 was $157.0 million compared to 
$130.9 million in 2020. Approximately 88 percent of our 2021 global 
pension expense and 75 percent of our global projected benefit 
obligation relate to our U.S. pension plan. The discount rate used 
to determine our 2021 U.S. pension expense was 2.90 percent, 
compared to 3.30 percent for 2020.

For 2022, our U.S. discount rate will increase to 3.10 percent 
from 2.90 percent in 2021. 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.

32

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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):

Pension Benefits

Change in
Projected
Benefit
Obligation

Change in Net
Periodic 
Benefit
Cost(1)

Discount rate

$

129.7  $

13.3 

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

More information regarding pension benefits is contained in Note 14 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION — CUSTOMER INCENTIVES

We offer various incentive programs that provide distributors 
and direct sale customers with cash rebates, account credits 
or additional 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. We record accruals at the 
time of revenue recognition as a current liability within Customer 
returns, rebates and incentives in our Consolidated Balance Sheet 
or, where a right of setoff exists, as a reduction of Receivables. 
Customer  incentives  for  additional  hardware  and  software 
products, solutions and services to be provided are considered 
distinct performance obligations. As such, we allocate revenue to 
them based on relative standalone selling price. Until the incentive 
is redeemed, the revenue is recorded as a contract liability.

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 $14.2 million.

More information regarding our revenue recognition and returns, 
rebates and incentives policies are contained in Note 1 and Note 2 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACQUISITIONS - SENSIA JOINT VENTURE 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS VALUATION

We recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection 
with the formation of Sensia based on their estimated fair values 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

as of the acquisition date of October 1, 2019. The accounting for a 
business combination requires the excess of the purchase price 
for the acquisition over the net book value of assets acquired 
to be allocated to the identifiable assets of the acquired entity. 
Any unallocated portion is recognized as goodwill. We engaged 
an independent third-party valuation specialist to assist with the 
fair value allocation of the purchase price paid in connection with 
formation of the Sensia joint venture to intangible assets, which 
required the use of several assumptions and estimates. Although 
we believe the assumptions and estimates made were reasonable 
and  appropriate,  these  estimates  are  based  on  historical 
experience and information obtained from Sensia management. 
The  key  assumption  requiring  the  use  of  judgment  was  the 
customer attrition rates ranging from 7.5 percent to 25 percent. 
A change in the customer attrition rate of 250 basis points would 
result in a change of $40.4 million in intangible assets.

ACQUISITIONS - CONSOLIDATION OF SENSIA 
JOINT VENTURE

On October 1, 2019, we completed the formation of a joint venture, 
Sensia, a fully integrated digital oilfield automation solutions 
provider. Rockwell Automation owns 53 percent of Sensia and 
Schlumberger owns 47 percent of Sensia. We control Sensia and, 
as of October 1, 2019, have consolidated Sensia in our financial 
results. In determining whether to consolidate Sensia, U.S. GAAP 
requires that we evaluate our ability to control the significant 
financial and operating decisions of the joint venture. Determining 
the nature and extent of the noncontrolling interest holder’s 
rights involves management judgment. We have evaluated the 
noncontrolling interest holder’s rights and determined that we 
control and should consolidate Sensia in our financial results.

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

33

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT 

MARKET RISK

We  are  exposed  to  market  risk  during  the  normal  course  of 
business from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and 
interest rates. We manage exposure to these risks through a 
combination of normal operating and financing activities as well 

as derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency 
forward exchange contracts. We sometimes use interest rate swap 
contracts to manage the balance of fixed and floating rate debt.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

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 
$14.1 million and a liability of $17.1 million at September 30, 2021. 
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. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against 
foreign currencies has an unfavorable impact on our sales and 
results of operations. While future changes in foreign currency 
exchange rates are difficult to predict, our sales and profitability 
may be adversely affected if the U.S. dollar strengthens relative 
to current levels.

Certain of our locations have assets and liabilities denominated 
in currencies other than their functional currencies. We enter 
into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the 

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  as  of  September  30,  2021,  includes 
$484.0 million of commercial paper borrowings with a weighted 
average  interest  rate  of  0.18  percent  and  weighted  average 
maturity period of 90 days. There were no commercial paper 
borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Also included 
in  short-term  debt  as  of  September  30,  2021  and  2020  are 
$23.5 million of interest-bearing loans from Schlumberger to 
Sensia which were originally due September 30, 2020, and are 
now due December 31, 2021. We have issued, and anticipate 
continuing to issue, short-term commercial paper obligations 
as needed. Changes in market interest rates on commercial 
paper borrowings affect our results of operations. A hypothetical 

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 $2.2 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 2021, 2020 or 2019. 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.

50 basis point increase in average market interest rates related 
to our short-term debt would not be significant to our results of 
operations or financial condition.

We had outstanding fixed rate long-term debt obligations with 
a carrying value of $3,464.6 million at September 30, 2021 and 
$1,974.7 million at September 30, 2020. The fair value of this debt 
was approximately $3,874.8 million at September 30, 2021 and 
$2,497.7 million at September 30, 2020. The potential increase in 
fair value on such fixed-rate debt 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.

34

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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

Receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, net of accumulated depreciation

Operating lease right-of-use assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets, net

Deferred income taxes

Long-term investments

Other assets

TOTAL

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Short-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

Operating lease liabilities

Other liabilities

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 17)

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: 2021, 65.4; 2020, 65.2)

Shareowners’ equity attributable to Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Noncontrolling interests 

Total shareowners’ equity

TOTAL
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

September 30,

2021 

2020

$

662.2 

$

1,424.5 

798.1 

178.6 

3,063.4 

581.9 

377.7 

3,625.9 

1,021.8 

380.9 

1,363.5 

286.5 

704.6 

1,249.1 

584.0 

148.1 

2,685.8 

574.4 

342.9 

1,650.3 

479.3 

415.6 

953.5 

162.9 

$

10,701.6 

$

7,264.7 

$

509.7 

$

889.8 

408.0 

462.5 

237.8 

484.4 

2,992.2 

3,464.6 

720.6 

313.6 

516.5 

181.4 

1,933.6 

8,000.4 

(1,017.1)

(6,708.7)

2,389.6 

304.5 

2,694.1 

24.6 

687.8 

197.0 

325.3 

199.6 

376.5 

1,810.8 

1,974.7 

1,284.0 

274.7 

573.7 

181.4 

1,830.7 

7,139.8 

(1,614.2)

(6,509.9)

1,027.8 

319.0 

1,346.8 

$

10,701.6 

$

7,264.7 

35

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

Change in fair value of investments

Other income (expense) (Note 15)

Interest expense

Income before income taxes

Income tax provision (Note 16)

NET INCOME

Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average outstanding shares:

Basic

Diluted

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020 

2019

$

6,285.2 

$

5,663.6 

$

5,938.5 

712.2 

6,997.4 

666.2 

6,329.8 

(3,638.7)

(3,305.9)

(461.0)

(4,099.7)

2,897.7 

(1,680.0)

397.4 

5.7 

(94.6)

1,526.2 

(181.9)

1,344.3 

(13.8)

(428.7)

(3,734.6)

2,595.2 

(1,479.8)

153.9 

(29.7)

(103.5)

1,136.1 

(112.9)

1,023.2 

(0.2)

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,358.1 

$

1,023.4 

11.69 

11.58 

$

$

116.0 

117.1 

8.83 

8.77 

115.8 

116.6 

756.3 

6,694.8 

(3,313.6)

(481.1)

(3,794.7)

2,900.1 

(1,538.5)

(368.5)

6.1 

(98.2)

901.0 

(205.2)

695.8 

— 

695.8 

5.88 

5.83 

118.3 

119.3 

36

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN MILLIONS)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan adjustments  
(net of tax (expense) benefit of ($181.0), ($3.4), and $150.0) 

Currency translation adjustments

Net change in cash flow hedges (net of tax benefit of $3.1, $6.6, and $5.5) 

Net change in available-for-sale investments

Other comprehensive income (loss) 

Comprehensive income

  Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020 

2019

$

1,344.3 

$

1,023.2 

$

695.8 

576.4 

9.3 

(475.6)

31.4 

(11.4)

— 

596.4 

1,940.7 

(14.5)

25.7 

(18.5)

— 

16.5 

1,039.7 

(0.5)

(55.3)

(17.4)

2.2 

(546.1)

149.7 

— 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

$

1,955.2 

$

1,040.2 

$

149.7 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

37

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
PART II
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)

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

Year Ended September 30,

2021

2020

2019

$

1,344.3  $

1,023.2  $

695.8 

Depreciation
Amortization of intangible assets
Change in fair value of investments
Share-based compensation expense
Retirement benefit expense
Pension contributions
Deferred income taxes
Net loss (gain) on disposition of property
Settlement of interest rate derivatives
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 property
Other investing activities

Cash (used for) provided by investing activities

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

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year
Components of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
  Cash and cash equivalents
  Restricted cash, noncurrent (Other assets)
TOTAL CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

38

123.9 
65.9 
(397.4)
51.7 
155.1 
(35.8)
(184.1)
0.5 
(28.0)

(138.1)
(202.8)
184.8 
104.4 
174.6 
57.2 
(15.2)
1,261.0 

(120.3)
(2,488.5)
(13.6)
0.6 
— 
0.4 
(5.2)
(2,626.6)

275.9 
211.4 
1,485.6 
(2.5)
— 
(497.1)
(299.7)
154.6 
(30.4)
1,297.8 
16.8 
(51.0)
730.4 
679.4  $

662.2 
17.2 
679.4  $

$

$

122.5 
50.2 
(153.9)
46.1 
129.5 
(84.1)
(65.7)
(12.4)
22.0 

(9.0)
30.4 
(5.0)
43.3 
(44.6)
(11.8)
39.8 
1,120.5 

(113.9)
(550.9)
(10.7)
6.0 
37.9 
14.9 
(1.3)
(618.0)

— 
423.6 
— 
(400.0)
(300.7)
(472.8)
(264.2)
214.4 
0.8 
(798.9)
8.4 
(288.0)
1,018.4 
730.4  $

704.6 
25.8 
730.4  $

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 

1,018.4 
— 
1,018.4 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
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 
loss

Common 
stock in 
treasury, at
cost

Total 
attributable 
to Rockwell 
Automation, 
Inc.

Noncontrolling 
interests

Total 
shareowners’ 
equity

Balance at September 30, 2018  $ 181.4  $ 1,681.4  $ 6,198.1  $

(941.9) $ (5,501.5) $

1,617.5  $

—  $

1,617.5 

Net income

Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Common stock issued 
(including share-based 
compensation impact)

Share Repurchases

Cash dividends declared(1)

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

27.7 

— 

— 

695.8 

— 

— 

— 

(459.8)

Adoption of accounting 
standard
Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 181.4  $ 1,709.1  $ 6,440.2  $

6.1 

— 

— 

Net income
Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Common stock issued 
(including share based 
compensation impact)

Share Repurchases

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

77.0 

— 

1,023.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Cash dividends declared(1)
Adoption of accounting 
standard
Change in noncontrolling 
interest
Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 181.4  $ 1,830.7  $ 7,139.8  $

(472.8)

149.0 

44.6 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Net income

Other comprehensive 
income (loss)
Common stock issued 
(including share based 
compensation impact)

Share Repurchases

Cash dividends declared(1)

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

103.5 

— 

— 

1,358.1 

— 

— 

— 

(497.5)

Change in noncontrolling 
interest
Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 181.4  $ 1,933.6  $ 8,000.4  $

(0.6)

— 

— 

— 

(546.1)

— 

— 

695.8 

(546.1)

— 

— 

— 

— 

63.0 

90.7 

(1,000.0)

(1,000.0)

— 

— 

(459.8)

6.1 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

695.8 

(546.1)

90.7 

(1,000.0)

(459.8)

6.1 

(1,488.0) $ (6,438.5) $

404.2  $

—  $

404.2 

— 

16.8 

— 

— 

— 

(146.8)

3.8 

— 

— 

1,023.4 

16.8 

(0.2)

(0.3)

1,023.2 

16.5 

183.5 

260.5 

(254.9)

— 

— 

— 

(254.9)

(472.8)

2.2 

48.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

260.5 

(254.9)

(472.8)

2.2 

319.5 

367.9 

(1,614.2) $ (6,509.9) $

1,027.8  $

319.0  $

1,346.8 

— 

597.1 

— 

— 

1,358.1 

597.1 

(13.8)

(0.7)

1,344.3 

596.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

102.7 

206.2 

(301.5)

— 

— 

(301.5)

(497.5)

(0.6)

— 

— 

— 

— 

206.2 

(301.5)

(497.5)

(0.6)

(1,017.1) $(6,708.7) $

2,389.6  $

304.5  $

2,694.1 

(1)  Cash dividends were $4.28 per share in 2021; $4.08 per share in 2020; and $3.88 per share in 2019.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTpart ii 

ItEM 8.  Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

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; share-based compensation; acquisitions, including 
consolidation and intangible assets; goodwill impairment; product 
warranty obligations; retirement benefits; litigation, claims and 
contingencies, including environmental matters, conditional 
asset retirement obligations, and contractual indemnifications; 
leases; 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. See note 2 for our revenue recognition policy 
under the new standard. 

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.

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. customer incentives for 
additional hardware and software products, solutions and services 
to be provided are considered distinct performance obligations. 
as such, we allocate revenue to them based on relative standalone 
selling price. until the incentive is redeemed, the revenue is 
recorded as a contract liability.

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 $13.2 million 
at September 30, 2021 and $15.2 million at September 30, 2020. 
in addition, receivables are recorded net of an allowance for 
certain customer returns, rebates and incentives of $6.7 million 

40

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

at September 30, 2021 and $8.1 million at September 30, 2020. 
the changes to our allowance for doubtful accounts during the 
years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, were not material 
and primarily consisted of current-period provisions, write-offs 
charged against the allowance, recoveries collected, and foreign 
currency translation.

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.

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. 
equipment  under  finance  leases  are  stated  at  the  present 
value of minimum lease payments. 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. implementation 
costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service 
contract are recorded in Other current assets and Other assets 
on the consolidated Balance Sheet and are amortized over the 
expected service period. 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 $31.5 million, $27.2 million and $26.4 million were accrued within 
accounts payable and other current liabilities at September 30, 
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

GOODWILL aND OtHEr 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 perform our annual evaluation of goodwill and indefinite life 
intangible assets for impairment as required under u.S. Gaap 
during the second quarter of each year, or more frequently if 
events or circumstances change that would more likely than 
not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying 

value. any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value 
is charged to results of operations. For our annual evaluation of 
goodwill, we may perform a qualitative test to determine whether 
it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is 
less than its carrying amount in order to determine whether 
it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment 
test. Our reporting units for goodwill evaluation consist of the 
intelligent devices segment, the Software & control segment, 
the lifecycle Services segment (excluding Sensia), and Sensia. 
When performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test, we 
determine the fair value of each reporting unit under a combination 
of an income approach derived from discounted cash flows and 
a market multiples approach using selected comparable public 
companies.

Significant assumptions used in the income approach include: 
management’s forecasted cash flows, including estimated future 
revenue growth rates and margins, discount rates, and terminal 
value. Forecasts of future revenue growth and margins are based 
on management’s best estimates. actual results and forecasts of 
revenue growth and margins for our Sensia reporting unit may be 
impacted by its concentration within the Oil & Gas industry and 
with its customer base. demand for Sensia hardware and software 
products, solutions, and services is sensitive to industry volatility 
and risks, including those related to commodity prices, supply 
and demand dynamics, production costs, geological activity, and 
political activities. discount rates are determined using a weighted 
average cost of capital adjusted for risk factors specific to the 
reporting unit, with comparison to market and industry data. the 
terminal value is estimated following the common methodology 
of calculating the present value of estimated perpetual cash flow 
beyond the last projected period assuming constant discount 
and long-term growth rates. Significant assumptions used in the 
market multiples approach include selection of the comparable 
public companies and calculation of the appropriate market 
multiples.  

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, 4 to 17 years 
for technology and 10 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.

IMPaIrMENt OF LONG-LIVED aSSEtS

We evaluate the recoverability of the recorded amount of long-
lived assets, including property, operating lease right-of-use 
assets, capitalized implementation costs of a cloud computing 
arrangement, and other intangible assets, whenever events or 

41

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

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 the potential change in interest rates 
in anticipation of issuance of 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 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 7, 10, 11, and 14. 

We also determine fair value assessments in conjunction with 
intangible valuations of acquisitions and our annual impairment 
testing of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. the 
valuation methodologies for these assets are described in notes 3 
and 4. 

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 $422.5 million in 2021, $371.5 million in 2020, and 
$378.9 million in 2019. 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 restricted 
stock. diluted epS amounts are based upon the weighted average 

42

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

number of common and common-equivalent shares outstanding 
during the year. We use the treasury stock method to calculate 
the effect of outstanding share-based compensation awards, 
which requires us to compute total employee proceeds as the sum 
of the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award 
and the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs 
attributed to future services. Share-based compensation awards 
for which the total employee proceeds of the award exceed the 
average market price of the same award over the period have an 
antidilutive effect on epS, and accordingly, we exclude them from 

the calculation. antidilutive share-based compensation awards 
for the years ended September 30, 2021 (0.2 million shares), 2020 
(1.6 million shares), and 2019 (1.8 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 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 attributable to rockwell automation

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

2021

1,358.1

(2.1)

1,356.0

116.0

$

$

2020

1,023.4

(1.0)

1,022.4

115.8

$

$

1.0

0.1

117.1

0.7

0.1

116.6

11.69

11.58

$

$

8.83

8.77

$

$

$

$

$

$

2019

695.8

(0.7)

695.1

118.3

0.9

0.1

119.3

5.88

5.83

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.

LEaSES

We have operating leases primarily for real estate, vehicles, and 
equipment. We have finance leases primarily for equipment. 
We determine if a contract is, or contains, a lease at contract 
inception. a right-of-use (rOu) asset and a corresponding lease 
liability are recognized at commencement for contracts that are, 

43

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

or contain, a lease with an original term greater than 12 months. 
rOu assets represent our right to use an underlying asset during 
the lease term, including periods for which renewal options are 
reasonably certain to be exercised, and lease liabilities represent 
our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. 
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term for leases with an original term of 12 months or 
less. amortization expense of the rOu asset for finance leases is 
recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and interest 
expense for finance leases is recognized based on the incremental 
borrowing rate.

Some  leasing  arrangements  require  variable  payments  that 
are dependent on usage or may vary for other reasons, such as 
payments for insurance and tax payments. a portion of our real 
estate leases is generally subject to annual changes based upon 
an index. the changes based upon the index are treated as variable 
lease payments. the variable portion of lease payments is not 
included in our rOu assets or lease liabilities and is expensed 
when incurred. We elected to not separate lease and nonlease 
components of contracts for most underlying asset classes. 
accordingly, all expenses associated with a lease contract are 
accounted for as lease expenses.

lease liabilities are recognized at the contract commencement 
date based on the present value of remaining lease payments 
over the lease term. to calculate the lease liabilities we use 
our incremental borrowing rate. We determine our incremental 
borrowing rate at the commencement date using our unsecured 
borrowing rate, adjusted for collateralization and lease term. 
For  leases  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the  u.S. 
dollar, the collateralized borrowing rate in the foreign currency 
is determined using the u.S. dollar and foreign currency swap 
spread. long-term operating lease liabilities are presented as 
Operating lease liabilities and current operating lease liabilities 
are included in Other current liabilities in the consolidated 
Balance Sheet. long-term finance lease liabilities are presented 
as  long-term  debt  and  current  finance  lease  liabilities  are 
included  in  Other  current  liabilities  in  the  consolidated 
Balance Sheet.

rOu  assets  are  recognized  at  the  contract  commencement 
date at the value of the related lease liability, adjusted for any 
prepayments, lease incentives received and initial direct costs 
incurred. Operating lease rOu assets are presented as Operating 
lease  right-of-use  assets  and  finance  lease  rOu  assets  are 
presented as property in the consolidated Balance Sheet.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated 
Statement of Operations. interest expense for finance leases is 
recorded in interest expense in the consolidated Statement of 
Operations.

rECENtLY aDOPtED aCCOUNtING 
PrONOUNCEMENtS

in February 2016, the FaSB issued a new standard on accounting 
for  leases  that  requires  lessees  to  recognize  rOu  assets 
and  lease  liabilities  for  most  leases,  among  other  changes 
to  existing  lease  accounting  guidance.  this  standard  also 
requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures 
about leasing activities. We adopted this standard using the 
modified retrospective transition method, which resulted in 
an immaterial cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening 
balance of retained earnings as of October 1, 2019, our adoption 
date. the amount of lease rOu assets and corresponding lease 
liabilities recorded in the consolidated Balance Sheet upon 
adoption were $316 million and $329 million, respectively. We 
have implemented necessary changes to accounting policies, 
processes, controls and systems to enable compliance with this 
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 this standard as of October 1, 2019, 
and elected to reclassify tax effects of approximately $147 million 
from  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  into  retained 
earnings.

in  June  2016,  the  FaSB  issued  a  new  standard  that  requires 
companies to utilize a current expected credit losses impairment 
(cecl) model for certain financial assets, including trade and other 
receivables. the cecl model requires that estimated expected 
credit losses, including allowance for doubtful accounts, consider 
a broader range of information such as economic conditions and 
expected changes in market conditions. We adopted the new 
standard as of October 1, 2020. the adoption of this standard 
did not have a material impact on our consolidated Financial 
Statements.

rECENtLY ISSUED aCCOUNtING 
PrONOUNCEMENtS

lease  expenses,  including  amortization  of  rOu  assets,  for 
operating and finance leases are recognized on a straight-line 
basis  over  the  lease  term  and  recorded  in cost  of  sales  and 

We do not expect any recently issued accounting pronouncements 
to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements 
and related disclosures.

NOtE 2.  reVenue recOGnitiOn

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.

44

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

Our products include hardware, software, and configured-to-order 
products. Our solutions include custom-engineered systems 
and software. 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 intelligent devices segment, 
Software & control segment, and lifecycle Services segment. 
revenue from the intelligent devices and Software & control 
segments is predominantly comprised of product sales which are 
recognized at a point in time. the Software & control segment 
also contains revenue from software products which may be 
recognized over time if certain criteria are met. revenue from 
the lifecycle Services segment is predominantly comprised of 
solutions and services which are primarily recognized over time. 
See note 19 for more information.

in  most  countries,  we  sell  primarily  through  independent 
distributors in conjunction with our direct sales force. We sell large 
systems and service offerings principally through our direct sales 
force, though opportunities are sometimes identified through 
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 
(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 9 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.

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.

45

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

UNFULFILLED PErFOrMaNCE OBLIGatIONS

as of September 30, 2021, we expect to recognize approximately 
$655  million  of  revenue  in  future  periods  from  unfulfilled 
performance obligations from existing contracts with customers. 
We expect to recognize revenue of approximately $385 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, 2021. 

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. 

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  table  presents  our  revenue  disaggregation  by 
geographic region for our three operating segments (in millions). 
We attribute sales to the geographic regions based on the country 
of destination. information for the fiscal year ended September 30, 
2020, has been recast to reflect our new operating segments. 
See note 19 for further information on our change in operating 
segments.

Year Ended September 30, 2021

Year Ended September 30, 2020

Intelligent 
Devices

Software 
& Control

Lifecycle 
Services

Total

Intelligent 
Devices

Software & 
Control

Lifecycle 
Services

Total

north america

$

2,075.4 $

1,186.3 $

871.1 $ 4,132.8 $

1,860.1 $

1,027.5

$

872.6

$

3,760.2

europe, middle east and 
africa (emea)

asia pacific

latin america

595.9

432.5

208.1

375.0

273.9

111.8

434.8

1,405.7

305.8

1,012.2

126.8

446.7

518.5

372.6

204.8

300.5

254.1

99.2

430.3

242.0

147.6

1,249.3

868.7

451.6

TOTAL COMPANY SALES $

3,311.9 $

1,947.0 $ 1,738.5 $ 6,997.4 $

2,956.0 $

1,681.3

$

1,692.5

$

6,329.8

46

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

CONtraCt BaLaNCES

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, 2021.

Below is a summary of our contract liabilities balance:

Balance as of beginning of fiscal year

Balance as of end of period

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

$

325.3

$

462.5

275.6

325.3

the most significant changes in our contract liabilities balance 
during the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 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, 2021, we recognized 
revenue of approximately $256.1 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, 2021, 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 for most classes of contracts. 
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.

NOtE 3.  GOOdWill and OtHer intanGiBle aSSetS

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

Architecture &
Software

Control
Products &
Solutions

Intelligent 
Devices

Software & 
Control

Lifecycle  
Services

Balance as of September 30, 2019

$

432.3

$

638.8

$

acquisition of businesses

translation

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

reallocation due to change in segments

acquisition of businesses

translation

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

$

161.2 

15.9 

609.4 

(609.4)

—

—

—

$

390.7 

11.4 

1,040.9 

(1,040.9)

— 

— 

—

—

— 

— 

— 

$

— $

— 

— 

— 

$

—

— 

— 

— 

535.1 

497.3 

617.9 

— 

8.0 

1,937.3 

12.9 

12.8 

4.6 

$

543.1

$

2,447.5 $

635.3

$

3,625.9

Total

1,071.1

551.9 

27.3 

1,650.3 

— 

1,950.1 

25.5 

during  the  first  quarter  of  fiscal  2021,  we  changed  our 
organizational structure resulting in three operating segments: 
intelligent devices, Software & control, and lifecycle Services. 
this change also resulted in the identification of new reporting 
units. We reassigned our goodwill balances to reflect this new 
structure using the relative fair value allocation approach required 
under u.S. Gaap. under this approach, the fair values of each of 
our new reporting units were compared to the total fair value of 
their prior respective reporting units immediately prior to the 
reorganization to arrive at the reassigned goodwill balances. We 
determined the reporting unit fair values using the same approach 
for quantitative goodwill impairment tests described in note 1, 
and these values are considered level 3 measurements under 
the u.S. Gaap fair value hierarchy. We also tested goodwill at the 

affected reporting units for impairment prior to and subsequent 
to the reassignment of goodwill and concluded that goodwill was 
not impaired.

We performed our annual evaluation of goodwill and indefinite 
life intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of 
2021 and concluded that these assets were not impaired. We also 
assessed the changes in events and circumstances subsequent 
to our annual test and concluded that a triggering event which 
would require interim quantitative testing has not occurred. refer 
to note 1 for additional information on our annual impairment 
evaluation.

47

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

Other intangible assets consist of (in millions):

amortized intangible assets:

Software products

customer relationships

technology

trademarks

Other

total amortized intangible assets

allen-Bradley® trademark not subject to amortization

September 30, 2021

Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$

90.4

$

43.2

$

595.9 

420.8 

73.8 

7.1 

1,188.0 

43.7 

75.4 

71.7 

13.3 

6.3 

209.9 

— 

Net

47.2

520.5 

349.1 

60.5 

0.8 

978.1 

43.7 

TOTAL

$

1,231.7

$

209.9

$

1,021.8

amortized intangible assets:

Software products

customer relationships

technology

trademarks

Other

total amortized intangible assets

allen-Bradley® trademark not subject to amortization

September 30, 2020

Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$

192.7

$

139.0 $

351.3 

165.8 

71.7 

14.4 

795.9 

43.7 

92.5 

84.0 

31.3 

13.5 

360.3 

— 

TOTAL

$

839.6

$

360.3

$

Net

53.7

258.8 

81.8 

40.4 

0.9 

435.6 

43.7 

479.3

Software products represent costs of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed. Software products amortization 
expense was $11.9 million in 2021, $10.2 million in 2020 and $10.4 million in 2019. estimated total amortization expense for all amortized 
intangible assets is $112.0 million in 2022, $110.6 million in 2023, $107.6 million in 2024, $105.3 million in 2025 and $103.7 million in 2026.

NOtE 4.  acQuiSitiOnS

FISCaL 2021 aCQUISItIONS

PLEX aCQUISItION

in august 2021, we acquired plex Systems, a cloud-native smart manufacturing platform. plex offers a single-instance, multi-tenant 
Software-as-a-Service manufacturing platform operating at scale, including advanced manufacturing execution systems, quality, and 
supply chain management capabilities.

48

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

We recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with this acquisition based on their estimated fair values as of the 
acquisition date of august 31, 2021. the preliminary aggregate purchase price allocation is as follows (in millions):

accounts receivable

all other assets

Goodwill

intangible assets

total assets acquired

less: contract liabilities

less: Other liabilities assumed

less: deferred income taxes

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

TOTAL PURCHASE CONSIDERATION, NET OF CASH ACQUIRED

intangible assets identified include $276.4 million of customer 
relationships, $232.8 million of technology, and $22.2 million of 
trade  names  (approximately  12-year  weighted  average  useful 
life). We assigned the full amount of goodwill and all other assets 
acquired to our Software & control segment. the goodwill recorded 
represents  intangible  assets  that  do  not  qualify  for  separate 
recognition. this goodwill arises because the purchase price for 
plex reflects a number of factors including the future earnings and 
cash flow potential of the business, the strategic fit and resulting 
synergies from the complementary portfolio of leading software-
as-a-service applications, industry expertise, and market access. 
We do not expect the goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes. 
the intangible assets were valued using an income approach, 
specifically the relief from royalty method and multi-period excess 
earnings method. the relief from royalty method calculates value 
based on hypothetical payments that would be saved by owning an 
asset rather than licensing it. the multi-period excess earnings 
method is the isolation of cash flows from a single intangible asset 
and measures fair value by discounting them to present value. these 
values are considered level 3 measurements under the u.S. Gaap fair 
value hierarchy. the key assumption requiring the use of judgement 

Purchase Price 
Allocation
14.8

$

28.3 

1,725.3 

531.4 

2,299.8 

(29.2)

(31.8)

(33.3)

2,205.5

Purchase 
Consideration

2,205.5

$

$

in the valuation of the customer relationship intangible asset was 
the customer attrition rate of 5 percent; other assumptions included 
forecasted cash flows attributable to the existing customers and the 
discount rate. the key assumptions requiring the use of judgement 
in the valuation of the technology intangible asset were the royalty 
rate of 25 percent and the obsolescence factor estimating a phase 
out over 10 years; other assumptions included forecasted revenue 
growth rates and the discount rate.

OtHEr aCQUISItIONS

in October 2020, we acquired Oylo, a privately-held industrial 
cybersecurity services provider based in Barcelona, Spain. We 
assigned the full amount of goodwill related to this acquisition to 
our lifecycle Services segment.

in december 2020, we acquired Fiix inc., a privately-held, artificial 
intelligence enabled computerized maintenance management 
system (cmmS) company based in toronto, Ontario, canada. We 
assigned the full amount of goodwill related to this acquisition to 
our Software & control segment.

We recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with these acquisitions based on their estimated fair values as of 
the respective acquisition dates. the preliminary aggregate purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is as follows (in millions):

accounts receivable

all other assets

Goodwill

intangible assets

total assets acquired

less: liabilities assumed

less: deferred income taxes

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

TOTAL PURCHASE CONSIDERATION, NET OF CASH ACQUIRED

Purchase Price 
Allocation

$

$

6.0

15.9 

224.8 

69.6 

316.3 

(25.5)

(3.7)

287.1

Purchase 
Consideration

$

287.1

49

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

intangible assets identified include $69.6 million of customer 
relationships, technology, and trade names (approximately 11-year 
weighted average useful life). We assigned $12.8 million of goodwill 
to our lifecycle Services segment and $212.0 million of goodwill 
to our Software & control segment, which represents intangible 
assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. We do not 
expect the goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes. 

the allocation of the purchase price to identifiable assets for all of 
the preceding acquisitions are based on the preliminary valuations 
performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of their 
respective acquisition dates. 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 dates 
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 acquired 
during the periods in which the adjustments are determined. 

the total sales included in our consolidated results for all of the 
preceding acquisitions for the year ended September 30, 2021, 
were approximately $27.9 million.

pro forma consolidated sales for the year ended September 30, 
2021 and 2020, were approximately $7.2 billion and $6.5 billion, 
respectively, and the impact on earnings is not material. the 
preceding pro forma consolidated financial results of operations 

are as if all of preceding fiscal 2021 acquisitions occurred on 
October  1,  2019.  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.

acquisition-related costs recorded as expenses for all of the 
preceding acquisitions in the year ended September 30, 2021, 
were not material.

FISCaL 2020 aCQUISItIONS

SENSIa JOINt VENtUrE

On  October  1,  2019,  we  completed  the  formation  of  a  joint 
venture, Sensia, a fully integrated digital oilfield automation 
solutions provider. rockwell automation owns 53% of Sensia and 
Schlumberger owns 47% of Sensia. as part of the transaction, we 
made $247.0 million of net cash payments to Schlumberger, which 
were funded by cash on hand. We control Sensia and, as of October 
1, 2019, have consolidated Sensia in our financial results. as part 
of the joint venture operations, Sensia regularly transacts with 
Schlumberger, primarily relating to purchases and sales of goods 
and services. these transactions are not material to rockwell 
automation for the year ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

We recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the formation of Sensia based on their estimated fair values as 
of the acquisition date of October 1, 2019. the preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in millions):

accounts receivable

inventory

Other current assets

property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Goodwill

intangible assets

total assets acquired

less: liabilities assumed

less: deferred income taxes

less: noncontrolling interest portion

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

cash, net of cash acquired

noncontrolling interest portion of rockwell automation's contributed business

additional paid in capital adjustment

Other

Purchase  
Price Allocation

$

$

$

31.2

33.2 

1.2 

9.3 

6.2 

307.4 

254.1 

642.6 

(18.3)

(2.6)

(293.8)

327.9

Purchase 
Consideration

247.0

25.8 

48.1 

7.0 

TOTAL PURCHASE CONSIDERATION, NET OF CASH ACQUIRED

$

327.9

50

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTintangible assets assigned include $254.1 million of customer 
relationships, technology, and trade names (approximately 11-year 
weighted average useful life). We assigned the full amount of 
goodwill and all other assets acquired to our lifecycle Services 
segment. the majority of the goodwill recorded is expected to 
be deductible for tax purposes. the assets were valued using 
an income approach, specifically the relief from royalty method 
and multi-period excess earnings method. the relief from royalty 
method calculates value based on hypothetical payments that 
would be saved by owning an asset rather than licensing it. the 
multi-period excess earnings method is the isolation of cash 
flows from a single intangible asset and measures fair value by 
discounting them to present value. these values are considered 
level 3 measurements under the u.S. Gaap fair value hierarchy. 
Key assumptions used in the valuation of these intangible assets 
included: (1) a discount rate of 11%, (2) the estimated remaining 
life of technology and trademarks of from 5 to 15 years, and (3) the 
customer attrition rate ranging from 7.5% to 25%.

the fair value of the noncontrolling interest of the contributed 
business upon acquisition was $293.8 million. the consolidated 
value of Sensia at October 1, 2019, was recorded at fair value for 
Schlumberger’s contribution and at carrying value for rockwell 
automation’s contribution. 

the total incremental sales resulting from the Sensia joint venture 
included in our consolidated results for the twelve months ended 
September 30, 2020, were approximately $191.0 million.

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

OtHEr aCQUISItIONS

in October 2019, we acquired meStecH Services (meStecH), 
a  global  provider  of  manufacturing  execution  Systems  / 
manufacturing  Operations  management,  digital  solutions 
consulting, and systems integration services. We assigned the 
full amount of goodwill related to this acquisition to our lifecycle 
Services segment. 

in January 2020, we acquired avnet data Security, ltd (avnet), 
an israel-based cybersecurity provider with over 20 years of 
experience providing cybersecurity services. We assigned the 
full amount of goodwill related to this acquisition to our lifecycle 
Services segment.

in april 2020, we acquired aSem, S.p.a. (aSem), a leading provider 
of digital automation technologies. We assigned the full amount 
of goodwill related to this acquisition to our Software & control 
segment.

in  april  2020,  we  also  acquired  Kalypso,  lp  (Kalypso),  a 
privately-held u.S.-based software delivery and consulting firm 
specializing in the digital transformation of industrial companies 
with a strong client base in life sciences, consumer products and 
industrial high-tech. We assigned the full amount of goodwill 
related to this acquisition to our lifecycle Services segment.

We recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with these acquisitions based on their estimated fair values as of 
the respective acquisition dates. the preliminary aggregate purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is as follows (in millions):

accounts receivable

inventory

Other current assets

property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Goodwill

intangible assets

total assets acquired

less: liabilities assumed

less: deferred income taxes

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

TOTAL PURCHASE CONSIDERATION, NET OF CASH ACQUIRED

intangible assets assigned include $76.5 million of customer 
relationships, technology, and trade names (approximately 10-year 
weighted average useful life). We assigned $161.2 million of goodwill 
to our Software & control segment and $83.3 million of goodwill to 
our lifecycle Services segment. approximately $69.0 million of the 

Purchase  
Price Allocation

$

33.8

9.6 

1.0 

5.9 

2.2 

244.5 

76.5 

373.5 

(28.6)

(14.4)

330.5

Purchase 
Consideration 

330.5 

$

$

goodwill recorded is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 
the purchase consideration includes $25.8 million of contingent 
consideration held in an escrow account and recorded in other 
assets as restricted cash in the consolidated Balance Sheet.

51

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

the total sales included in our consolidated results from these four 
acquisitions for the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, 
were approximately $41.8 million.

the allocation of the purchase price to identifiable assets for all of 
the preceding acquisitions are 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 dates 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 acquired during 
the periods in which the adjustments are determined. 

pro  forma  consolidated  sales  for  the  year  ended  September 
30,  2019,  are  approximately  $7.0  billion,  and  the  impact  on 
earnings is not material. the preceding pro forma consolidated 
financial results of operations are as if all of the preceding fiscal 
2020 acquisitions 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.

acquisition-related costs recorded as expenses for all of the 
preceding acquisitions in the year ended September 30, 2020, 
were not material.

NOtE 5. 

inVentOrieS

inventories consist of (in millions):

Finished goods

Work in process

raw materials

INVENTORIES

NOtE 6.  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

52

September 30,

2021

287.0 $

229.3 

281.8 

2020

243.0

159.1 

181.9 

798.1

$

584.0

$

$

September 30,

2021

$

4.8

$

397.6 

1,244.3 

522.4 

156.4 

2,325.5 

(1,743.6)

2020

4.8

383.0 

1,220.7 

506.4 

134.4 

2,249.3 

(1,674.9)

$

581.9

$

574.4

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTNOtE 7.  lOnG-term and SHOrt-term deBt

long-term debt consists of (in millions):

0.35% notes, payable in august 2023

2.875% notes, payable in march 2025

6.70% debentures, payable in January 2028

3.50% notes, payable in march 2029

1.75% notes, payable in august 2031

6.25% debentures, payable in december 2037

4.20% notes, payable in march 2049

2.80% notes, payable in august 2061

5.20% debentures, payable in January 2098

unamortized discount, capitalized lease obligations and other

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

September 30,

2021

$

600.0 $

315.6 

250.0 

425.0 

450.0 

250.0 

575.0 

450.0 

200.0 

(51.0)

2020

—

320.1 

250.0 

425.0 

— 

250.0 

575.0 

— 

200.0 

(45.4)

LONG-TERM DEBT

$

3,464.6

$

1,974.7

Our  short-term  debt  as  of  September  30,  2021,  includes 
$484.0 million of commercial paper borrowings with a weighted 
average interest rate of 0.18 percent. there were no commercial 
paper borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2020. also 
included in short-term debt as of September 30, 2021, and 2020, 
are $23.5 million of interest-bearing loans from Schlumberger to 
Sensia, which were originally due September 30, 2020, and are now 
due december 31, 2021. the short-term loans from Schlumberger 
were entered into following formation of Sensia in fiscal 2020.

in august 2021, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount 
of long-term notes in a registered public offering. the offering 
consisted  of  $600.0  million  of  0.35%  notes  due  in  august 
2023, $450.0 million of 1.75% notes due in august 2031, and 
$450.0 million of 2.80% notes due in august 2061, all issued at a 
discount. net proceeds to the company from the debt offering 
were $1,485.6 million. We used these net proceeds primarily 
to fund the acquisition of plex. refer to note 4 for additional 
information on this acquisition. 

We entered into treasury locks to manage the potential change 
in interest rates in anticipation of the issuance of the $1.5 billion 
aggregate  notes  in  august  2021.  these  treasury  locks  were 
designated  as  and  accounted  for  as  cash  flow  hedges.  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 notes, the company made a net 
payment of $28.0 million to the counterparties. the $28.0 million 
net loss on the settlement of the treasury locks was recorded in 
accumulated Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effect, and 
is being amortized over the term of the corresponding notes, 
and  recognized  as  an  adjustment  to  interest  expense  in  the 
consolidated Statement of Operations.

in april 2020, we entered into a $400.0 million senior unsecured 
364-day term loan credit agreement and were advanced the 

full loan amount. interest on these borrowings was based on 
short-term money market rates in effect during the period the 
borrowings were outstanding. We repaid the $400.0 million term 
loan in September 2020.

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 3.50% notes due in march 2029 
(“2029 notes”) and $575.0 million of 4.20% 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, 
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.

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 

53

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

$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 the facility during the periods ended September 30, 2021 or 
2020. 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 $91.8 million during 2021, $101.7 million 
during 2020 and $97.5 million during 2019.

the following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt not recorded at fair value in the 
consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

long-term debt

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

$

3,464.6   $

3,874.8  $

1,974.7  $

2,497.7

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. refer to note 1 for further information regarding levels in the fair value hierarchy.

NOtE 8.  OtHer current liaBilitieS

Other current liabilities consist of (in millions):

unrealized losses on foreign exchange contracts (note 11)

$

16.9

$

September 30,

2021

product warranty obligations (note 9)

taxes other than income taxes

accrued interest

income taxes payable

Operating lease liabilities

Other 

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

2020

24.3

20.8 

58.5 

14.9 

79.8 

89.7 

88.5 

18.0 

59.8 

17.8 

188.4 

89.9 

93.6 

$

484.4 $

376.5

NOtE 9.  prOduct Warranty OBliGatiOnS

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

changes in product warranty obligations were (in millions):

Beginning balance

Warranties recorded at time of sale

adjustments to pre-existing warranties

Settlements of warranty claims

ENDING BALANCE

54

September 30,

2021

20.8

$

17.3 

(6.2)

(13.9)

18.0

$

2020

25.2 

17.8 

(1.6)

(20.6)

20.8

$

$

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTNOtE 10.  inVeStmentS

Our investments consist of (in millions):

Fixed income securities

equity securities

Other

total investments

less: short-term investments(1)

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

September 30,

2021

$

0.6

$

1,267.6 

95.9 

1,364.1 

(0.6)

$

1,363.5

$

2020

0.6

875.3 

78.2 

954.1 

(0.6)

953.5

(1)  Short-term investments are included in other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

EQUItY SECUrItIES

On July 19, 2018, we purchased 10,582,010 shares of ptc inc. 
(“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 ptc Shares are considered 
equity securities. On may 11, 2021, we entered into an amendment 
to the securities purchase agreement with ptc, which amended, 
among other things, our entity-specific transfer restrictions 
through September 2023, subject to certain exceptions. We 
have the ability to transfer in open market transactions, in the 
aggregate in any 90-day period, a number of ptc Shares equal 
to up to 1.0 percent of ptc’s total outstanding shares of common 
stock as of the first day in such 90-day period. We also have the 
ability to transfer in marketed underwritten public offerings, in the 
aggregate in any one-year period, a number of ptc Shares equal 

to up to 5.0 percent of ptc’s total outstanding shares of common 
stock as of the closing date of the first such offering.

the ptc Shares are classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy 
and recognized at fair value in the consolidated Balance Sheet 
using the most recent closing price of ptc common stock quoted 
on nasdaq. at September 30, 2021, the fair value of the ptc 
Shares was $1,267.6 million, which was recorded in long-term 
investments in the consolidated Balance Sheet. We recorded a 
gain of $392.3 million and $153.9 million related to the ptc Shares 
in the consolidated Statement of Operations in the years ended 
September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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

NOtE 11.  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 12.

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, 2021, we had 
a u.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of $800.2 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 $1.5 billion and $1.0 billion of fixed rate debt in august 2021 and 
march 2019, respectively. 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.

55

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 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

2021

2020

$

(10.8)

$

(9.7)

$

(28.0)

—

2019

29.5

(35.7)

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

Sales

cost of sales

Selling, general and administrative expenses

interest expense

TOTAL

2021

2020

1.9

$

(0.7)

$

(25.4)

1.5 

(2.3)

19.6 

(1.4)

(2.1)

(24.3) $

15.4

$

$

$

2019

1.0

18.2 

(1.3)

(1.2)

16.7

approximately $0.1 million of pre-tax net unrealized gains on cash 
flow hedges as of September 30, 2021 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, 2021, we 
had no 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 used 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 converted these 
notes from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt. We designated 
these contracts as fair value hedges because they hedged the 
changes in fair value of the fixed rate notes resulting from changes 

2021

2020

$

(0.8)

$

(1.3) $

2019

(4.9)

in interest rates. the changes in value of these fair value hedges 
were 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. in may 2020, we settled all 
outstanding interest rate swaps and received $22.0 million from 
the counterparties. this gain on the settlement of the interest 
rate swaps was recorded as an adjustment to the carrying value 
of the 2025 notes and is being amortized over the remaining 
term of those notes as an adjustment to interest expense in the 
consolidated Statement of Operations.

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

interest income

56

2021

2020

$

—

$

15.1 

$

2019

30.9 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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, 2021, 
we had a u.S. dollar-equivalent gross notional amount of $1,011.5 
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 (expense) income

TOTAL

2021

2020

(0.2)

$

6.1

$

(8.1)

(11.8)

(8.3) $

(5.7) $

2019

(0.4)

1.6 

1.2

$

$

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 2021, 2020 or 2019. 
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 $1,811.7 million at September 30, 2021. currency 
pairs (buy/sell) comprising the most significant contract notional 
values were euro/united States dollar (uSd), uSd/canadian dollar, 
uSd/mexican peso, and uSd/Swiss franc.

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, 2021

September 30, 2020

Fair Value (Level 2)

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

TOTAL

Other current assets

Other assets

Other current liabilities

Other liabilities

$

$

7.6

$

2.1 

(7.4)

(0.2)

2.1

$

Fair Value (Level 2)

6.9

1.0 

(13.4)

(3.2)

(8.7)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Balance Sheet Location

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

TOTAL

Other current assets

Other current liabilities

$

$

4.4 

$

(9.5)

(5.1) $

6.1 

(10.9)

(4.8)

refer to note 1 for further information regarding levels in the fair value hierarchy.

57

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTpart ii 

ItEM 8.  Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

NOtE 12.  SHareOWnerS’ eQuity

COMMON StOCK

at September 30, 2021, 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, 2021, 16.0 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

2021

116.2 

(1.1)

0.9 

116.0 

2020

115.7 

(1.4)

1.9 

116.2 

2019

121.0 

(6.1)

0.8 

115.7 

at September 30, 2021, there were $1.8 million of outstanding common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable. at 
September 30, 2020, there were no outstanding common stock share repurchases recorded in accounts payable.

aCCUMULatED OtHEr COMPrEHENSIVE LOSS

changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to rockwell automation by component were (in millions):

Pension and other 
postretirement 
benefit plan 
adjustments, net 
of tax (Note 14)

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, 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)

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

$

(1,133.7) $

(341.3) $

(13.0) $

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
before reclassifications

amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

adoption of accounting standard/other

(100.2)

26.0 

109.5 

9.3 

(146.8)

— 

26.0 

3.8 

(7.3)

(11.2)

(18.5)

— 

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 $

(1,271.2) $

(311.5) $

(31.5) $

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
before reclassifications

amounts reclassified from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

438.9 

138.2 

577.1 

31.4 

— 

31.4 

(29.2)

17.8 

(11.4)

BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

$

(694.1) $

(280.1) $

(42.9) $

2.2 

— 

2.2 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

58

(941.9)

(590.5)

44.4 

(546.1)

$

(1,488.0)

(81.5)

98.3 

16.8 

(143.0)

$

(1,614.2)

441.1 

156.0 

597.1 

$

(1,017.1)

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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,

2021

2020

2019

Affected Line in the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations

pension and other postretirement benefit plan 
adjustments(1):

amortization of prior service credit

$

(4.0)

$

(4.5)

$

(4.2) Other income (expense)

amortization of net actuarial loss

Settlements

net unrealized losses (gains) on cash flow hedges:

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

treasury locks related to 2019 and 2021 debt 
issuances

TOTAL RECLASSIFICATIONS

142.5 

39.8 

178.3 

(40.1)

148.7 

— 

144.2 

(34.7)

78.7  Other income (expense)

1.2  Other income (expense)

75.7 

income before income taxes

(19.2)

income tax provision

138.2 

$

109.5 

$

56.5  net income

(1.9)

$

0.7 

$

(1.0) Sales

25.4 

(1.5)

2.3 

24.3 

(6.5)

17.8 

156.0

$

$

(19.6)

1.4 

2.1 

(15.4)

4.2 

(11.2)

98.3

(18.2) cost of sales

1.3  Selling, general and 

administrative expenses

1.2 

interest expense

(16.7)

income before income taxes

4.6 

income tax provision

$

$

(12.1) net income

44.4  net income

$

$

$

$

(1)  These components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 14 for further information.

NOtE 13.   SHare-BaSed cOmpenSatiOn

during  2021,  2020,  and  2019,  we  recognized  $51.7  million, 
$46.1  million  and  $43.1  million  of  pre-tax  share-based 
compensation  expense,  respectively.  the  total  income  tax 
benefit  related  to  share-based  compensation  expense  was 
$8.6 million, $7.7 million, and $6.9 million during 2021, 2020, 
and 2019, 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,  2021,  total  unrecognized  compensation  cost 
related to share-based compensation awards was $69.0 million, 
net of estimated forfeitures, which we expect to recognize over a 
weighted average period of approximately 2.0 years.

during 2020, we adopted, and our shareowners approved, our 2020 
long-term incentives plan (“2020 plan”), which replaced our 2012 
long-term incentives plan, as amended (“2012 plan”) and our 2003 
directors Stock plan, as amended (“directors plan”). Our 2020 plan 

authorizes us to deliver up to 13.0 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 directors plan 
authorized 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 that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation 
or otherwise without the issuance or delivery of shares or that 
are settled in cash in lieu of shares will be available for further 
awards under the 2020 plan. approximately 11.4 million shares 
under our 2020 plan remain available for future grant or payment 
at September 30, 2021. We use treasury stock to deliver shares 
of our common stock under these plans. Our 2020 plan does not 
permit share-based compensation awards to be granted after 
February 4, 2030.

59

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

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.

the  per-share  weighted  average  fair  value  of  stock  options 
granted during the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 
2019, was $55.50, $35.80, and $32.46, respectively. the total 
intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $108.4 million, $151.6 
million, and $35.8 million during 2021, 2020, and 2019, 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)

2021

0.38%

1.73%

31%

4.9

2020

1.63 %

2.08 %

24 %

4.9

2019

2.79 %

2.27 %

23 %

5.0

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, 2021, is as follows:

Outstanding at October 1, 2020

Granted

exercised

Forfeited

canceled

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

exercisable at September 30, 2021

Shares
(in thousands)

3,404 

$

196 

(985)

(118)

(1)

2,496 

1,470 

Wtd. Avg.
Exercise
Price

164.81 

246.87 

156.98 

191.64 

191.15 

173.07 

155.05 

Wtd. Avg.
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

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

$

6.6

5.6

302.0 

204.3 

the amount of options expected to vest is materially consistent with those outstanding and not yet exercisable.

PErFOrMaNCE SHarE aWarDS

certain officers and key employees are also eligible to receive 
shares of our common stock in payment of performance share 
awards granted to them. Grantees of performance shares will 
be eligible to receive shares of our common stock depending 
upon our total shareowner return, assuming reinvestment of 
all dividends, relative to the performance of companies in the 
S&p 500 index over a three-year period for the awards granted 
in fiscal 2020 and 2019. the number of shares actually earned 
for awards granted in fiscal 2020 and 2019 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. Beginning with 
the awards granted in fiscal 2021, the total shareowner return 
is measured relative to the performance of companies in the 
following S&p 500 Selected GicS groups: capital Goods, Software 
and Services, and technology Hardware and equipment. the 
number of shares actually earned for awards granted in fiscal 
2021 will range from 50 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. 

60

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTa summary of performance share activity for the year ended September 30, 2021, is as follows:

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

Outstanding at October 1, 2020

Granted(1)

adjustment for performance results achieved(2)

Vested and issued

Forfeited

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Performance
Shares
(in thousands)

Wtd. Avg.
Grant Date
Share Fair Value

124  $

44 

(2)

(31)

(16)

119 

204.92 

298.10 

219.04 

219.04 

217.93 

232.94 

(1)  Performance shares granted assuming achievement of performance goals at target.
(2)  Adjustments were due to the number of shares vested under fiscal 2018 awards at the end of the three-year performance period ended September 30, 2020, 

being lower than the target number of shares.

the following table summarizes information about performance shares vested during the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 
2019:

percent payout

Shares vested (in thousands)

total fair value of shares vested (in millions)

$

2021

93 %

31 

7.4 

$

2020

77 %

28 

5.6 

$

2019

200%

145 

25.8 

For the three-year performance period ending September 30, 2021, the payout will be 144% of the target number of shares, with a 
maximum of approximately 68,000 shares to be delivered in payment under the awards in december 2021.

the per-share fair value of performance share awards granted during the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was 
$298.10, $265.04 and $155.04, respectively, which we determined using a monte carlo simulation and the following assumptions:

average risk-free interest rate

expected dividend yield

expected volatility

2021

0.19 %

1.73%

37 %

2020

1.58 %

2.06 %

25 %

2019

2.77 %

2.24 %

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 five years. director restricted stock units generally are payable upon retirement. We value 
restricted stock and restricted stock units at the closing market value of our common stock on the date of grant. the weighted average 
fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted during the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was 
$265.32, $200.36 and $170.75, respectively. the total fair value of shares vested during the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 
2019, was $10.4 million, $8.7 million, and $7.8 million, respectively.

61

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

a summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the year ended September 30, 2021, is as follows:

Outstanding at October 1, 2020

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Restricted
Stock and
Restricted
Stock Units
(in thousands)

163 

$

254 

(42)

(24)

Wtd. Avg.
Grant Date
Share
Fair Value

182.66 

265.32 

188.87 

205.15 

OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

351 

$

239.89 

We also granted approximately 5,600 shares of unrestricted common stock to non-employee directors during the year ended 
September 30, 2021. the weighted average grant date fair value of the unrestricted stock awards granted during the years ended 
September 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $228.80, $171.51 and $182.39, respectively.

NOtE 14.  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 2021, 2020 or 2019. We did not make voluntary 
contributions to our u.S. qualified pension plan in 2021 and 2019. 

We made a voluntary contribution of $50.0 million to our u.S. 
qualified pension plan in 2020.

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. However, effective from 
may 2020 through november 2020, we temporarily suspended the 
401(k) matching contribution for all u.S. employees to address the 
then-current and anticipated economic conditions resulting from 
the global cOVid-19 pandemic. expense related to these plans was 
$58.5 million in 2021, $50.9 million in 2020, and $53.1 million in 2019.

Other postretirement benefits are primarily in the form of retirement 
medical plans that cover certain employees in the u.S. and canada 
and provide for the payment of certain medical costs of eligible 
employees and dependents after retirement. the postretirement 
benefit plan was closed to employees hired after december 31, 2004.

NEt PErIODIC BENEFIt COSt

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

Service cost

interest cost

expected return on plan assets

amortization:

prior service cost (credit)

net actuarial loss

Settlements

Pension Benefits

2021

2020

$

90.1 

$

91.1 

$

125.6 

(241.3)

1.4 

141.4 

39.8 

136.4 

(244.8)

0.9 

147.3 

— 

$

2019

78.2 

158.3 

(244.7)

1.2 

77.8 

1.2 

Other Postretirement Benefits

$

2021

1.2 

1.2 

— 

(5.4)

1.1 

— 

$

2020

1.0 

1.6 

— 

(5.4)

1.4 

— 

NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST (INCOME)

$

157.0 

$

130.9 

$

72.0 

$

(1.9)

$

(1.4)

$

2019

0.9 

2.3 

— 

(5.4)

0.9 

— 

(1.3)

62

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

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

NEt BENEFIt OBLIGatION

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

2.90 %

7.25 %

3.40 %

1.56 %

4.68 %

2.90 %

3.30 %

7.50 %

3.40 %

1.60 %

5.11 %

3.06 %

4.35 %

7.50 %

3.50 %

2.48 %

5.22 %

3.02 %

2.15 %

2.90 %

4.15 %

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2.20 %

2.65 %

3.30 %

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

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

$

5,026.9 

$

4,907.3 

$

57.0 

$

2021

2020

2021

Service cost

interest cost

actuarial (gains) losses

acquisitions

plan amendments

plan participant contributions

Benefits paid

Settlements

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

$

$

$

90.1 

125.6 

(162.6)

— 

0.1 

2.8 

(156.9)

(219.3)

45.1 

4,751.8 

3,838.0 

653.7 

34.9 

2.8 

(156.9)

(219.3)

39.0 

4,192.2 

(559.6) $

118.5 

$

(37.0)

(641.1)

91.1 

136.4 

154.1 

(0.6)

— 

3.1 

(285.0)

(10.5)

31.0 

5,026.9 

3,753.1 

266.0 

84.1 

3.1 

(285.0)

(10.5)

27.2 

3,838.0 

(1,188.9)

27.9 

(13.9)

(1,202.9)

$

$

1.2 

1.2 

(4.9)

— 

— 

3.1 

(8.8)

— 

2.7 

51.5 

— 

— 

5.7 

3.1 

(8.8)

— 

— 

— 

(559.6) $

(1,188.9)

$

(51.5) $

2020

60.7 

1.0 

1.6 

(1.4)

— 

— 

3.0 

(7.8)

— 

(0.1)

57.0 

— 

— 

4.8 

3.0 

(7.8)

— 

— 

— 

(51.5) $

(57.0)

— 

$

(5.7)

(45.8)

— 

(5.8)

(51.2)

(57.0)

63

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

the actuarial gains recorded within the benefit obligation in 2021 were primarily the result of an increase in the discount rate for the 
u.S. plans, which increased from 2.90% in 2020 to 3.10% in 2021. the actuarial losses recorded in 2020 were primarily the result of a 
decrease in the discount rate for the u.S. plans, which decreased from 3.30% in 2019 to 2.90% in 2020. approximately 75 percent of 
our 2021 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 (credit) cost

net actuarial loss

TOTAL

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

2021

(30.7)

$

718.7 

688.0 

$

2020

3.3 

1,262.1 

1,265.4 

$

$

$

$

2021

4.1 

2.0 

$

6.1 

$

2020

— 

5.8 

5.8 

during 2021, we recognized prior service credits of $35.8 million ($29.9 million net of tax) and net actuarial losses of $142.5 million ($108.3 million 
net of tax) in pension and other postretirement net periodic benefit cost, which were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at 
September 30, 2020.

the accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $4,393.0 million and $4,638.1 million at September 30, 2021 and 2020, 
respectively.

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

2021

$

4,210.5  $

3,532.4 

2020

4,482.0 

3,265.2 

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):

2021

$

3,510.7  $

3,156.7 

2020

4,113.4 

3,265.2 

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

2021

2020

2021

2020

3.10 %

3.40 %

— 

2.03 %

3.00 %

— 

2.90 %

3.40 %

— 

1.56 %

2.90 %

— 

2.50 %

— 

6.00 %

2.90 %

— 

4.50 %

2.15 %

— 

6.25 %

2.20 %

— 

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 remain at 6.00% in 2022 and decrease to 5.00% in 2025 for U.S. Plans and will not change in 
future periods for Non-U.S. Plans.

64

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

EStIMatED FUtUrE PaYMENtS

We expect to contribute $57.4 million related to our global pension plans and $5.8 million to our postretirement benefit plans in 2022.

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

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027-2031

PLaN aSSEtS

Pension Benefits

$

327.5  $

284.4 

289.0 

288.8 

289.9 

1,420.8 

Other
Postretirement 
Benefits

5.8 

5.5 

5.1 

4.8 

4.5 

17.4 

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

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

as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, 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, 2021 and 2020.

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

Allocation
Range

Target
Allocations

40% – 65%

30% – 50%

0% – 15%

50%

43%

7%

September 30,

2021

2020

56%

38%

6%

50%

43%

7%

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

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

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

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

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

Real estate funds  —  consists  of  the  real  estate  funds,  which 
provide an indirect investment into a diversified and multi-sector 
portfolio of property assets. publicly-traded real estate funds are 

65

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

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.

the following table presents our pension plans’ investments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2021:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$

3.5 

$

—

$

—

$

3.5 

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

88.7 

1,159.8 

— 

— 

290.5 

— 

— 

— 

— 

609.2 

678.2 

66.5 

119.7 

— 

total u.S. plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

1,542.5 

$

1,473.6 

$

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

$

8.5 

$

—

$

170.3 

— 

— 

1.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

334.9 

64.7 

— 

357.0 

81.1 

— 

— 

total non-u.S. plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

180.2 

$

837.7 

$

non-u.S. plans investments measured at naV:

real estate funds

TOTAL NON-U.S. PLANS INVESTMENTS

TOTAL INVESTMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE

66

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.9 

0.9 

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 

106.2 

4.7 

110.9 

$

88.7 

1,159.8 

609.2 

678.2 

357.0 

119.7 

0.9 

3,017.0 

30.3 

— 

3,047.3 

8.5 

170.3 

334.9 

64.7 

1.4 

357 

81.1 

106.2 

4.7 

1,128.8 

16.1 

1,144.9 

4,192.2 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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, 2020:

U.S. PLANS

cash and cash equivalents

$

1.4 

$

—

$

—

$

1.4 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

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

112.4 

947.7 

— 

— 

244.7 

— 

— 

— 

— 

467.4 

699.3 

133.1 

169.0 

— 

total u.S. plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

1,306.2 

$

1,468.8 

$

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

$

1.9 

$

—

$

62.4 

— 

— 

1.1 

— 

—

—

—

— 

329.3 

65.6 

— 

350.9 

78.9 

— 

— 

total non-u.S. plans investments in fair value hierarchy

$

65.4 

$

824.7

$

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 

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 

110.2 

4.6 

114.8 

112.4 

947.7 

467.4 

699.3 

377.8 

169.0 

0.9 

2,775.9 

23.5 

18.4 

2,817.8 

1.9 

62.4 

329.3 

65.6 

1.1 

350.9 

78.9 

110.2 

4.6 

1,004.9 

15.3 

1,020.2 

$

3,838.0 

67

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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, 2021:

Balance
October 1, 2020

Realized Gains 
(Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2021

U.S. PLANS

insurance contracts

NON-U.S. PLANS

insurance contracts

Other

$

$

0.9 

$

—

$

— 

$

— 

$

0.9 

110.2 

4.6 

115.7 

$

—

—

—

(5.7)

0.1 

1.7 

— 

$

(5.6) $

1.7 

$

106.2 

4.7 

111.8 

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, 2020:

U.S. PLANS

insurance contracts

NON-U.S. PLANS

insurance contracts

Other

$

$

Balance
October 1, 2019

Realized Gains 
(Losses)

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses)

Purchases, Sales, 
Issuances, and 
Settlements, Net

Balance 
September 30, 
2020

0.9 

$

—

$

— 

$

— 

$

0.9 

95.4 

4.5 

100.8 

$

—

—

—

13.0 

0.1 

1.8 

— 

$

13.1 

$

1.8 

$

NOtE 15.  OtHer incOme (eXpenSe)

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

interest income

royalty income

legacy product liability and environmental charges

non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (cost) credit

Legal Settlement (Note 17)

Other

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

2021

2020

$

1.6 

$

5.5 

$

10.2 

(10.6)

(63.8)

70.0 

(1.7)

8.9 

(14.5)

(37.4)

— 

7.8 

$

5.7 

$

(29.7) $

68

110.2 

4.6 

115.7 

2019

11.1 

10.2 

(22.1)

8.4 

— 

(1.5)

6.1 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTNOtE 16.  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

Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

2021

2020

2019

$

$

$

$

$

885.1 

$

556.2 

$

641.1 

579.9 

1,526.2 

$

1,136.1 

$

149.6 

$

68.1 

$

190.7 

25.7 

366.0 

(154.7)

(19.0)

(10.4)

(184.1)

181.9 

329.3 

$

$

96.6 

13.9 

178.6 

(32.8)

(24.7)

(8.2)

(65.7)

112.9 

187.9 

$

$

280.8 

620.2 

901.0 

105.6 

112.1 

16.5 

234.2 

(27.0)

(0.1)

(1.9)

(29.0)

205.2 

293.3 

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

Settlements with taxing authorities

Sensia formation

change in valuation allowance(a)

Share-based compensation

research and development tax credit

Other

EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE

2021

21.0 %

2020

21.0 %

2019

21.0 %

1.4 

(3.8)

0.9 

(2.8)

(1.0)

0.1 

(1.7)

(1.1)

(0.6)

(0.5)

0.8 

(5.0)

1.3 

(1.0)

(0.2)

(1.1)

(2.7)

(1.9)

(1.1)

(0.2)

0.1 

(4.8)

2.8 

(1.6)

— 

— 

7.6 

(0.9)

(1.2)

(0.2)

11.9 %

9.9 %

22.8 %

(a)  During fiscal year 2021, we reversed our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with the change in fair value of the PTC Shares. This resulted 

in a decrease to the effective tax rate of 1.7% and no remaining valuation allowance related to PTC Shares, 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 has been extended to expire in 2032. the tax benefit 
attributable to these programs was $61.2 million ($0.52 per diluted share) in 2021, $59.1 million ($0.51 per diluted share) in 2020 and 
$55.1 million ($0.46 per diluted share) in 2019.

69

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
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):

2021

2020

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

$

41.7 

$

12.8 

37.5 

153.1 

22.8 

18.5 

250.2 

— 

130.4 

20.3 

15.3 

23.7 

726.3 

(32.6)

693.7 

(43.7)

(160.5)

(64.3)

(42.0)

(2.3)

(312.8)

TOTAL NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS

$

380.9 

$

6.0 

10.5 

34.5 

306.8 

23.8 

18.6 

68.4 

31.6 

31.1 

17.3 

10.8 

16.8 

576.2 

(58.0)

518.2 

(48.0)

(25.3)

— 

(28.3)

(1.0)

(102.6)

415.6 

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, 2021 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 credit carryforward

united States net operating 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

70

Tax Benefit 
Amount

Valuation 
Allowance

Carryforward
Period Ends

$

6.6  $

6.2  2022 - 9/30/2030

36.5 

15.3 

9.4 

19.4 

50.7 

17.2 

10.9 

166.0 

5.5 

$

171.5  $

indefinite

indefinite

2030 - 2041

2022 - 2037

indefinite

2022 - 2038

2022 - 2035

indefinite

3.2 

15.3 

1.2 

— 

— 

1.2 

— 

27.1 

5.5 

32.6 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
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

$

25.5 

$

19.9 

$

2021

2020

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

0.1 

0.4 

— 

(18.1)

(3.6)

— 

— 

5.6 

— 

— 

— 

— 

GROSS UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS BALANCE AT END OF YEAR

$

4.3 

$

25.5 

$

2019

20.1 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(0.2)

— 

19.9 

the  amount  of  gross  unrecognized  tax  benefits  that  would 
reduce our effective tax rate if recognized was $4.3 million, $25.5 
million and $19.9 million at September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 
respectively. 

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 $5.7 million.

accrued  interest  and  penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax 
benefits were $1.5 million and $4.0 million at September 30, 2021 
and 2020, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties 
related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. 
Benefits (expense) recognized were $2.5 million, ($0.7) million and 
($0.8) million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

We believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross 
unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to $4.2 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 

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 
2018 and are no longer subject to state, local and non-u.S. income 
tax examinations for years before 2014.

income tax liabilities of $264.8 million and $296.0 million related to 
the u.S. transition tax under the tax act that are payable greater 
than 12 months from September 30, 2021, and 2020, respectively, 
are recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated Balance Sheet.

NOtE 17.  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 14 
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 $53.6 million and $59.2 million as of September 
30, 2021 and 2020, 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 

71

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

for the periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. conditional 
asset retirement obligations, net of related expected recoveries, 
were $23.6 million and $22.8 million as of September 30, 2021 and 
2020, respectively.

OtHEr MattErS

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

NOtE 18.  leaSeS

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 and at times 
in other contracts with third parties. as of September 30, 2021, 
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. during the first quarter of fiscal 
2021, we reached a favorable settlement agreement regarding 
litigation of a trademark infringement and false advertising matter 
and received $70 million. the settlement gain is recorded in other 
income (expense) in the consolidated Statement of Operations.

We have operating leases primarily for real estate, vehicles and 
equipment. We have finance leases primarily for equipment. Our 
leases have remaining lease terms from less than one year to 
approximately 16 years.

We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the 
transition guidance within the new standard on accounting for leases, 

which allows the company to carry forward the historical assessments 
of whether contracts are, or contain, leases, lease classification and 
initial direct costs. We also elected to not record lease rOu assets or 
lease liabilities for leases with an original term of 12 months or less. We 
elected to use the remaining lease term for purposes of calculating 
the incremental borrowing rate upon transition.

72

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

the components of lease expense were as follows (in millions):

Operating lease expense(1)

Variable lease expense(2)

Finance lease expense

amortization of right-of-use assets

interest on lease liabilities

TOTAL LEASE EXPENSE

(1)  Operating lease expense includes short-term lease expense which was not material.
(2)  Variable lease expense includes sublease income which was not material.

rental expense accounted for under the previous accounting standard was $119.0 million in 2019.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions):

Weighted average remaining lease term:

Operating leases

Finance leases

Weighted average discount rate:

Operating leases

Finance leases

maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2021, were as follows (in millions):

2021

$

109.8  $

15.8 

1.7 

0.4 

2020

104.6 

15.6 

1.3 

0.4 

$

127.7  $

121.9 

2021

2020

6.8 years

6.3 years

4.3 years

7.8 years

1.79 %

3.96 %

1.84 %

3.50 %

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

thereafter

total undiscounted lease payments

less imputed interest

TOTAL LEASE LIABILITIES

Finance Leases

Operating Leases

5.6  $

3.5 

1.9 

1.6 

1.6 

2.8 

17.0  $

(1.5)

15.5  $

96.2 

81.3 

62.9 

45.5 

33.0 

110.1 

429.0 

(25.5)

403.5 

$

$

$

as of September 30, 2021, we have additional operating leases for facilities that have not yet commenced with undiscounted lease 
obligations of approximately $24 million and additional finance leases for equipment that have not yet commenced with undiscounted 
lease obligations of approximately $10 million. these leases will commence in fiscal 2022.

73

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in millions):

cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

Operating cash flows from operating leases

Operating cash flows from finance leases

Financing cash flows from finance leases

right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations

Operating leases

Financing leases

NOtE 19.  BuSineSS SeGment inFOrmatiOn

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. Beginning 
in fiscal year 2021, we organize our business into three operating 
segments: intelligent devices, Software & control, and lifecycle 

$

$

2021

108.5 

$

0.4 

1.8 

90.6 

$

0.9

2020

103.6 

0.4 

1.2 

131.2 

—

Services. this change simplifies our structure around essential 
offerings, leverages our sharpened industry focus, and recognizes 
the growing importance of software in delivering value to our 
customers. the composition of our segments is as follows:

Intelligent Devices

drives(2)

motion(1)

Safety(1)

Sensing(1)

industrial components(2)

configured-to-order products(2)

Software & Control(1)

control software & hardware

Lifecycle Services(2)

consulting

Visualization software & hardware

professional services and solutions

digital twin & simulation software

information solutions software

network & security infrastructure

connected services

maintenance services

Sensia joint venture

(1)  Formerly part of the Architecture & Software segment
(2)  Formerly part of the Control Products & Solutions segment

INtELLIGENt DEVICES

the  intelligent  devices  operating  segment  combines  a 
comprehensive  portfolio  of  smart  products  that  create  the 
foundation of an agile, resilient and sustainable production system. 
this comprehensive portfolio includes:

	z power control - low and medium voltage variable frequency 

drives as well as low and medium voltage motor control;

	z motion  control  -  Servo  drives,  rotary  servo  motors,  linear 
actuators  and  independent  cart  technologies  offering  a 
comprehensive portfolio of servo control technologies; 

	z Safety, Sensing & industrial components - Safety devices, 
sensing devices, motor control and circuit protection devices, 
operator  devices,  signaling  devices,  relays,  and  electrical 
control accessories; and

	z micro control & distributed i/O - micro programmable logic 

controllers and distributed input/output platforms.

SOFtWarE & CONtrOL

the  Software  &  control  operating  segment  contains  a 
comprehensive portfolio of production automation and production 

operations platforms, including hardware and software.  this 
integrated  portfolio  is  merging  information  technology  (it) 
and operational technology (Ot), bringing the benefits of the 
connected enterprise to the production system. 

Our  production  automation  portfolio  is  multi-discipline  and 
scalable  with  the  ability  to  handle  applications  in  discrete, 
batch/hybrid and continuous process, drives control, motion 
and robotics control, machine safety and process safety. Our 
products include programmable automation controllers, design, 
visualization and simulation software, human machine interface 
products, industrial computers, machine safety and process 
safety products, industrial networks and security products. 

Our production operations portfolio helps industrial clients to 
plan, execute, manage and optimize their production leveraging 
industrial  data  and  software.  Our  software  products  include 
manufacturing execution systems, performance, quality, supply 
chain  management,  data  management,  edge,  analytics  and 
machine learning software that enables customers to improve 
operational productivity and meet regulatory requirements. these 
solutions enable enterprise visibility, reduction of unplanned 
downtime, and optimization of processes. 

74

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPart II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

LIFECYCLE SErVICES

the lifecycle Services operating segment contains a complete 
portfolio of professionally delivered services and value-added 
solutions. this comprehensive portfolio combines technology 
and domain expertise to help maximize customers’ investment and 
provide total lifecycle support as they innovate, design, operate and 
sustain their business investments. this includes: 

	z consulting  services  including  safety,  security  and  digital 

transformation strategy and design;

	z professional  services  including  global  automation  and 
information program and project management and delivery 
capabilities;

	z connected services including operational technology/plant 
network, cybersecurity, cloud, predictive/prescriptive analytics, 
remote support and managed services;

	z field services including asset management, on-site support 

and safety;

	z workforce services including instructor-led and virtual training, 

learning and enablement;

	z Sensia Joint Venture which exclusively serves the oil, gas and 
petrochemical industry through a combination of connected 
products and digital automation services and solutions; and
	z industrial automation and information solutions and custom-
engineered systems that incorporate our own and third-party  
hardware and software products.

the following tables reflect the sales and operating results of our reportable segments including recast information for fiscal 2020 and 
2019 (in millions):

Sales:

intelligent devices

Software & control 

lifecycle Services

TOTAL

Segment operating earnings:

intelligent devices

Software & control

lifecycle Services

total

purchase accounting depreciation and amortization

corporate and other

non-operating pension and postretirement benefit (cost) 
credit

Gain (loss) on investments

Valuation adjustments related to the registration of ptc 
Shares

legal settlement

interest (expense) income - net

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

$

$

$

2021

2020

2019

3,311.9  $

2,956.0  $

1,947.0 

1,738.5 

1,681.3 

1,692.5 

3,279.7 

1,790.0 

1,625.1 

6,997.4  $

6,329.8  $

6,694.8 

702.1  $

587.8  $

531.0 

158.2 

1,391.3 

(55.1)

(120.6)

(63.8)

397.4 

— 

70.0 

(93.0)

473.8 

196.3 

1,257.9 

(41.4)

(98.9)

(37.4)

153.9 

— 

— 

(98.0)

$

1,526.2  $

1,136.1  $

697.0 

531.2 

245.4 

1,473.6 

(16.6)

(108.8)

8.4 

(402.2)

33.7 

— 

(87.1)

901.0 

among  other  considerations,  we  evaluate  performance  and 
allocate resources based upon segment operating earnings before 
purchase accounting depreciation and amortization, corporate 
and other, non-operating pension and postretirement benefit 
(cost) credit, gains and losses on investments, the $70 million 
legal settlement in fiscal 2021, valuation adjustments related to 
the registration of the ptc Shares in fiscal 2019, interest (expense) 

income - net, and income tax provision. 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 consistent with the methodology used 
by management to assess segment performance.

75

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
Part II
Item 8. Financial StatementS and Supplementary data

the following tables summarize the identifiable assets at September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019 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, including recast information for fiscal 2020 and 2019 (in millions):

identifiable assets:

intelligent devices

Software & control

lifecycle Services

corporate

TOTAL

depreciation and amortization:

intelligent devices

Software & control

lifecycle Services

corporate

total

purchase accounting depreciation and amortization

TOTAL

capital expenditures for property:

intelligent devices

Software & control

lifecycle Services

corporate

TOTAL

2021

2020

2019

2,143.3  $

1,585.0  $

4,000.4 

2,124.3 

2,433.6 

1,072.7 

1,915.0 

2,692.0 

10,701.6  $

7,264.7  $

48.6  $

51.8  $

49.1 

35.3 

1.7 

134.7 

55.1 

40.6 

37.1 

1.8 

131.3 

41.4 

189.8  $

172.7  $

52.0  $

51.3  $

30.4 

19.6 

18.3 

19.3 

24.9 

18.4 

1,550.0 

872.7 

1,133.3 

2,557.0 

6,113.0 

56.0 

42.6 

34.8 

2.2 

135.6 

16.6 

152.2 

74.8 

34.8 

16.7 

6.5 

120.3  $

113.9  $

132.8 

$

$

$

$

$

$

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 $275.8 million, $247.3 million and 

$230.3 million at September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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 in 2021, 2020 
and 2019 primarily consist of property 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):

Sales

Property

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

north america

$

4,132.8  $

3,760.2  $

4,014.3 

$

416.1  $

429.4  $

europe, middle east and africa

asia pacific

latin america

TOTAL

1,405.7 

1,012.2 

446.7 

1,249.3 

868.7 

451.6 

1,249.8 

908.6 

522.1 

91.1 

54.8 

19.9 

81.9 

42.8 

20.3 

$

6,997.4  $

6,329.8  $

6,694.8 

$

581.9  $

574.4  $

2019

443.8 

60.5 

41.9 

25.7 

571.9 

We attribute sales to the geographic regions based on the country 
of destination. Sales in north america include $3,740.2 million, 
$3,425.1 million, and $3,640.2 million related to the u.S in 2021, 
2020, and 2019, respectively.

in  most  countries,  we  sell  primarily  through  independent 
distributors in conjunction with our direct sales force. 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 2021, 2020, and 2019, 
which are attributable to all three segments, were approximately 
10 percent of our total sales.

76

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareowners and the Board of Directors 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, 2021 and 2020, 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, 2021, and the related notes and the 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, 2021, 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, 2021 and 2020, and the 

results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended September 30, 2021, 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, 2021, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over 
Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment 
the internal control over financial reporting at Plex Systems, 
Inc., which was acquired on August 31, 2021, and whose financial 
statements constitute 19% of total assets and 0.1% of revenues 
of the financial statements amounts as of and for the year ended 
September 30, 2021. Accordingly, our audit did not include the 
internal control over financial reporting at Plex Systems, Inc.

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 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.

77

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
Item 8. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

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.

CRITICAL AUDIT MATTERS

The  critical  audit  matters  communicated  below  are  matters 
arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements 
that were communicated or required to be communicated to the 
audit committee and that (1) relate 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 matters below, 
providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the 
accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

GOODWILL VALUATION - SENSIA REPORTING UNIT - REFER TO NOTE 3 TO THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER DESCRIPTION

The Company performed an impairment evaluation of the goodwill 
for the Sensia reporting unit by comparing the estimated fair value 
of the reporting unit to its carrying value. In order to estimate the 
fair value of the reporting unit, management is required to make 
significant estimates and assumptions related to the discount 
rate and forecasts of future revenues and Earnings Before Interest 
Taxes Depreciation & Amortization (“EBITDA”) margins. Changes 
in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair 
value of the reporting unit, the amount of any goodwill impairment 
charge, or both. The goodwill balance was $3,625.9 million as of 
September 30, 2021, of which $315.5 million related to the Sensia 
reporting unit. The Company tests for goodwill impairment during 
the second quarter of each year. As of the annual measurement 
date, the Company determined that the fair value of the Sensia 
reporting  unit  exceeded  its  carrying  value  and  therefore  no 
impairment was recognized.

We  identified  the  impairment  evaluation  of  goodwill  for  the 
Sensia reporting unit as a critical audit matter because of the 
inherent subjectivity involved in management’s estimates and 
assumptions related to the discount rate and forecasts of future 
revenues and EBITDA margins. The audit procedures to evaluate 
the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions 
related to the selection of the discount rate and forecasts of future 
revenues and EBITDA margins required a high degree of auditor 
judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to 
involve our fair value specialists.

HOW THE CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER WAS 
ADDRESSED IN THE AUDIT

Our audit procedures related to the selection of the discount 
rate and forecasts of future revenues and EBITDA margins for 
the Sensia reporting unit included the following, among others:

	• We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s 
goodwill  impairment  evaluation,  including  those  over  the 
selection of the discount rate and management’s development 
of forecasts of future revenues and EBITDA margins.

	• We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts 
by comparing the forecasts to (1) historical results, (2) internal 
communications to management and the Board of Directors, 
and (3) forecasted information included in analyst and industry 
reports for the Company and its peer companies, including the 
impact of economic factors on Sensia’s Oil & Gas customers.
	• We evaluated the impact of changes in management’s forecasts 
from the annual measurement date to September 30, 2021.
	• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated 
the reasonableness of the discount rate by (1) testing the source 
information underlying the determination of the discount rate; 
(2) testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations; and 
(3) developing a range of independent estimates and comparing 
those to the discount rate selected by management.

78

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART II
Item 8. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ACQUISITIONS — PLEX SYSTEMS (VALUATION OF CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP AND 
DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGY ASSETS) — REFER TO NOTE 4 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER DESCRIPTION

In August 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Plex 
Systems, Inc. (“Plex”). The Company accounted for the acquisition 
under  the  acquisition  method  of  accounting  for  business 
combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective 
fair values, including identified intangible assets of $531.4 million, 
of which $276.4 million related to customer relationships and 
$232.8 million related to developed technology. Management 
estimated the fair value of the customer relationships asset using 
an income approach. The fair value determination of the customer 
relationships asset required management to make significant 
estimates and assumptions related to forecasted cash flows 
attributable to the existing customers, the customer attrition rate, 
and discount rate. The fair value determination of the developed 
technology required management to make significant estimates 
and assumptions related to forecasted revenue growth rates, the 
obsolescence factor, royalty rate, and discount rate.

We identified the purchase accounting valuations of the customer 
relationships and developed technology intangible assets as 
a critical audit matter due to subjective judgment required to 
evaluate the significant estimates made in determining fair value, 
including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when 
performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of 
management’s key assumptions and estimates related to the 
customer attrition rate, obsolescence factor, royalty rate, and 
discount rate.

HOW THE CRITICAL AUDIT MATTER WAS 
ADDRESSED IN THE AUDIT

Our audit procedures related to the fair value of the intangible 
assets for Plex included the following, among others:

	• We tested the effectiveness of controls over the valuation of the 
customer relationships and developed technology intangible 
assets, including management’s controls over the development 
of  key  judgments  including  forecasts  of  future  cash  flows 
attributable to existing customers and revenue growth rates, 
customer attrition rate, royalty rate, obsolescence factor, and 
discount rates.

	• We assessed the reasonableness of management’s forecasts 
of future cash flows and revenue growth rates by comparing 
the projections to (1) historical results, (2) industry data, and 
(3) certain peer companies.

	• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated 
the  reasonableness  of  the  (1)  valuation  methodology; 
(2) customer attrition rate by testing the mathematical accuracy 
of the rate used; and testing the completeness and accuracy 
of the underlying data supporting the attrition rate assumption; 
(3)  royalty  rate  and  obsolescence  factor  by  testing  the 
mathematical accuracy of the rate and comparing it to market 
observations; and (4) discount rates, which included testing the 
source information underlying the determination of the discount 
rate, testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and 
developing a range of independent estimates and comparing 
those to the discount rates selected by management.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
November 9, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1967.

79

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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, 2021, 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, 2021.

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, 2021.

On August 31, 2021, we acquired Plex (see Note 4 in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information). Due to the timing 
of the acquisition and as permitted by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, we have excluded internal controls at Plex from our 

assessment of the internal control over financial reporting as 
of September 30, 2021. Total assets and revenues of Plex that 
were excluded from our assessment constitute 19.0 percent and 
0.1 percent, respectively, of our Consolidated Financial Statement 
amounts as of and for the year ended September 30, 2021. We 
are in the process of integrating the acquired business into our 
existing operations and evaluating the internal controls over 
financial reporting of the acquired business.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, 
as of September 30, 2021, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche 
LLP, as stated in their report that is included on the previous page.

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. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we acquired Plex as described above. We are in 
the process of integrating controls, policies, and procedures relating to this transaction and will continue to evaluate the impact of any 
related changes to our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

80

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 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, 2021, 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.

Plan Category

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)

Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners

3,025,987(1)

Equity compensation plans not approved by 
shareowners

TOTAL

—

3,025,987

$

$

173.07(2)

n/a

173.07

11,438,006(3)

—

11,438,006

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

2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan, 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 shares available for future issuance under our 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan.

81

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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.

82

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV

ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(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, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statement of Operations, years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity, years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(2) Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

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

35

36

37

38

39

40

77

Page

88

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

4-a-9

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 2.05% 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 3.50% 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 4.20% 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.
Description of the Company’s Securities filed as Exhibit 4-a-9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended September 30, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

83

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

4-a-10

4-a-11

4-a-12

*10-a-1

Form of certificate for the Company’s 0.35% Notes due August 15, 2023, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of certificate for the Company’s 1.75% Notes due August 15, 2031, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference. 
Form of certificate for the Company’s 2.80% Notes due August 15, 2061, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference.
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 

*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

*10-b-10

*10-b-11

*10-b-12

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.
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, 2021.

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.
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, filed as Exhibit 10-b-10 to the Company’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Copy of the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for 
the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareowners is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for certain awards of shares of 
restricted stock to executive officers of the Company filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended June 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.

84

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

*10-b-13

*10-b-14

*10-b-15

*10-b-16

*10-b-17

*10-c-1

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for certain awards of 
restricted stock units to executive officers of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10-b-13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of Global Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for certain awards of 
restricted stock units to executive officers of the Company after December 9, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10-b-14 to the Company’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of Stock Option Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for options 
awarded to executive officers of the Company after December 9, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for 
restricted stock units awarded to executive officers of the Company after December 9, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Form of Performance Share Agreement for U.S. Employees under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentives Plan for 
performance shares awarded to executive officers of the Company after December 9, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
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-d-2

*10-e-1

*10-d-1

*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.
Copy of the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan effective October 1, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10-d-1 to the Company's Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
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.
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 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. 
Letter Agreement dated March 1, 2021 between Registrant and Nicholas C. Gangestad

*10-e-3

*10-e-6

*10-e-5

*10-e-2

*10-e-4

10-g-1

10-g-2

10-g-3

10-h-l

10-h-2

10-h-3

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.

85

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

10-i-1

10-i-2

10-i-3

10-j-1

10-j-2

10-k

10-l-1

10-l-2

10-m-1

10-m-2

10-m-3

10-m-4

21

23

24

31.1

31.2

32.1
32.2

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.
$400,000,000 364-Day Term Loan Agreement dated as of April 20, 2020, among the Company, the Banks listed on the 
signature pages thereof, U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as 
Syndication Agent, and BMO Harris Bank N.A. and TD Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agents, filed as Exhibit 99 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference.
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. 
Amendment No. 1 to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 11, 2021, between the Company and PTC Inc., filed as 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 24, 2021, among Plex Systems Holdings Inc., the Company, Merger Sub and 
the Representative, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 25, 2021, 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.

104  Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

  *  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

ITEM 16.  FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

86

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 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/ NICHOLAS C. GANGESTAD

Nicholas C. Gangestad

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Dated: November 9, 2021

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on the 9th day of November 
2021 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

By

By

*By

**By

/s/ NICHOLAS C. GANGESTAD
Nicholas C. Gangestad
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ TERRY L. RIESTERER
Terry L. Riesterer
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Blake D. Moret*
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
and Director
William P. Gipson*
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
/s/ REBECCA W. HOUSE
Rebecca W. House, Attorney-in-fact**
authority of powers of attorney filed herewith

87

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

PART IV
SCHEDULE II

SCHEDULE II

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021, 2020 AND 2019 

(in millions)

Description

Year ended September 30, 2021

Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year ended September 30, 2020

Allowance for doubtful accounts(a)

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Year ended September 30, 2019

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

$

$

$

15.2 $

3.1 $

0.4 $

5.5 $

58.0

5.4

1.5

32.3

17.4 $

7.0 $

1.1 $

10.3 $

93.8

3.0

0.2

39.0

17.1 $

6.1 $

27.0

69.3

— $

—

5.8 $

2.5

13.2

32.6

15.2

58.0

17.4

93.8

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.

88

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

INDEX TO EXHIBITS *

Exhibit No.

Exhibit

**10-a-7

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation and Benefits as of October 1, 2021.

**10-e-6

Letter Agreement dated March 1, 2021, between Registrant and Nicholas C. Gangestad.

21

23

24

31.1

31.2

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.

32.1

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

32.2

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

101

Interactive Data Files.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* See Part IV, Item 15(a)(3) for exhibits incorporated by reference.
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

89

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT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 9, 2021

/s/ BLAKE D. MORET

Blake D. Moret 
President and Chief 
Executive Officer

90

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
PART IV
EXHIBIT 31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Nicholas C. Gangestad, 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 9, 2021

/s/ NICHOLAS C. GANGESTAD

Nicholas C. Gangestad  
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

91

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORT 
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,	2020	(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 9, 2021

/s/ BLAKE D. MORET

Blake D. Moret 
President and Chief 
Executive Officer

92

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTPART IV
EXHIBIT 32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, Nicholas C. Gangestad, 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,	2021	(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 9, 2021

/s/ NICHOLAS C. GANGESTAD

Nicholas C. Gangestad 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

93

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION  ❘  2021 ANNUAL REPORTRockwell Automation, Inc.
1201 South Second Street
Milwaukee,	Wisconsin	53204,	USA

www.rockwellautomation.com