Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, highlighted India’s strategic importance, stating, "India has more Rockwell employees than any country outside of the US. We do software development, now manufacturing, and it's just a great platform, not only for resources for the world, but also to be able to better serve the Indian market in its own right."
The Chennai facility, primarily focused on the semiconductor industry, marks the first phase of Rockwell's expansion in the region, with more developments anticipated. The facility is set to be operational by early 2025 and is on a fast track for completion.
Moret emphasized the significance of semiconductors, noting that recent global supply chain shortages have underscored their critical role in modern technology and daily life. He commended the Indian government's ambitious multi-year vision.
“It's a multi-year vision. I think it's a bold vision that the Indian government has, not only to create the fabs, but also the ecosystem, and all of that coming together is going to be a multi-year journey, really important for resiliency in the manufacturing economy,” he said.
Rockwell Automation's expansion in India aligns with the broader industry trend of leveraging technology to drive innovation, productivity, and sustainability. The company, with its 29,000 employees worldwide, provides tech-driven automation solutions that power the digital transformation of clients in over 100 countries.
Addressing global trends, Moret discussed the slowing pace of investment in electric vehicles (EVs). He noted that EVs currently make up around 10% of vehicles on US roads, with growth expected to continue, albeit at a slower pace than initially predicted.
Moret highlighted the need for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to streamline their supply chains and expand manufacturing capacity for critical components like batteries, which are essential for scaling EV production.
Looking ahead, Moret expressed optimism about underlying demand, anticipating gradual sequential improvement through the rest of this year and into the next.
