• 羅克韋爾自動化將以 22.2 億美元現金收購 Plex Systems
• Plex 是領先的、可大規模運行的純軟件即服務（SaaS）云原生智能制造平臺
• Plex可為離散工業、混合工業和流程工業提供領先的應用軟件，助力這些領域內的生產制造、供應鏈可視化和質量管控
• Plex的營收目前呈兩位數增長，此次收購將立刻提升羅克韋爾自動化的營業利潤率
• 收購 Plex 有望加速羅克韋爾自動化的年度經常性收入流（ARR），使ARR目標提前約兩年達成

全球最大的工業自動化、信息化和數字化轉型企業之一羅克韋爾自動化公司（NYSE: ROK）與全球領先的云原生智能制造平臺供應商Plex Systems（簡稱“Plex”）近日宣布，雙方已達成協議，羅克韋爾自動化將以 22.2 億美元現金收購Plex。

Plex的獨特優勢在于可提供大規模運行的單實例、多租戶架構的軟件即服務（SaaS）智能制造平臺。該平臺具有先進的制造執行系統、質量和供應鏈管理能力，可每天為全球700余家客戶處理超過80億次數據交互。隨著羅克韋爾自動化在全球市場準入、行業專業知識，以及將實時數據轉化為決策等優勢的加入，Plex的軟件能力將得到進一步凸顯。

“隨著制造業企業愈來愈多地采用云解決方案以提高其運營的彈性、靈活性和可持續性，此次收購將加速羅克韋爾自動化實現‘互聯企業’戰略。”羅克韋爾自動化公司董事長兼首席執行官 Blake Moret 表示，“通過將 Plex 的尖端云技術和羅克韋爾自動化的現有產品組合及領域專業知識相結合，我們將為客戶帶來更多價值，創造更多制勝可能。這次收購也將加速我們的軟件收入增長，并強化年度經常性收入流（ARR）。”

當前，制造業企業面臨日趨激烈的市場競爭，迫切需要增加產量，提高靈活性，提升效率并保證合規。企業希望尋求易于部署、使用和維護的云制造執行系統，以實現生產系統的智能化升級。Plex則能夠幫助客戶連接、自動操作、跟蹤和分析他們的運營和供應鏈。

羅克韋爾自動化公司軟件與控制部高級副總裁 Brian Shepherd 表示：“我們相信，大數據與工業互聯網等技術力量的融合，正在改變工業制造。羅克韋爾自動化近期收購整合了Fiix先進的資產維護和管理能力，結合Plex的加入，我們將為客戶的現代生產系統提供更強大的云原生解決方案組合。”

Plex 公司首席執行官Bill Berutti表示：“Plex并非一家普通的企業，更是智能制造發展中的先鋒，是全球 700余家客戶值得信賴的合作伙伴。此次與羅克韋爾自動化聯手，將為我們的客戶、合作伙伴和員工帶來更多價值，不斷擴大我們的影響力，更好地踐行‘云智造’使命。”

Plex將并入羅克韋爾自動化軟件與控制業務部門，為各類自動化生產與管理系統提供包括設計、運營和維護等方面的領先硬件、軟件產品與服務。伴隨著此次收購，羅克韋爾自動化將迎來500余位新員工。

此次收購將以現金結合短期和長期債務的方式進行。根據例行成交條件以及監管審查的完成進展，這項收購預計將于2021財年第四季度完成。

Rockwell Automation To Expand Industrial Cloud Software Offering With Acquisition Of Plex Systems

· Rockwell to acquire Plex Systems for $2.22 billion in cash
· Plex is the leading pure software-as-a-service, cloud-native smart manufacturing platform operating at scale
· Plex provides leading applications in manufacturing execution, supply chain visibility, and quality management across discrete, hybrid, and process industry segments
· Plex revenue growing double digits and acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Rockwell operating margins
· Plex acquisition expected to accelerate Rockwell annual recurring revenue goal achievement by approximately two years

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, and Plex Systems, the leading cloud-native smart manufacturing platform operating at scale, announced that Rockwell has entered into an agreement to acquire Plex for $2.22 billion in cash.

Plex offers the only single-instance, multi-tenant SaaS manufacturing platform operating at scale, including advanced manufacturing execution systems, quality, and supply chain management capabilities. It has over 700 customers and manages more than 8 billion transactions per day. Plex’s software capabilities will be further differentiated by Rockwell’s global market access, complementary industry expertise, and ability to turn real-time data into actionable insights.

“This acquisition will accelerate our strategy to bring the Connected Enterprise to life, driving faster time to value for our customers as they increasingly adopt cloud solutions to improve resilience, agility, and sustainability in their operations,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. “Combining Plex’s cutting-edge cloud technology with Rockwell’s existing software portfolio and domain expertise will add customer value and create more ways to win.  The acquisition will also accelerate our software revenue growth and strengthen our annual recurring revenue streams.”

A growing dilemma for manufacturers is the urgent need to increase production and improve resilience, while driving efficiency and compliance. Companies are increasingly seeking to upgrade their production systems with modern, cloud-based manufacturing execution systems that are easy to implement, use, and maintain. Plex’s platform helps customers to connect, automate, track, and analyze their operations and connected supply chains.

“Rockwell believes in the power of data and technology to transform manufacturing and industrial operations,” said Brian Shepherd, senior vice president, Software and Control, for Rockwell Automation. “Together with the advanced asset maintenance and management capabilities provided by our recent Fiix acquisition, Rockwell will have a strong portfolio of cloud-native solutions for our customers’ production systems upon completion of the Plex acquisition.”

“Plex has always been more than a company,” said Bill Berutti, CEO of Plex. “We have been a leader in the movement to smart manufacturing and a trusted partner to more than 700 manufacturing companies around the globe. Joining forces with Rockwell is great for our customers, our partners, and our employees as we move to expand our reach and impact and accelerate our mission to bring manufacturing to the cloud.”

Plex will be reported as part of Rockwell’s Software and Control operating segment which provides leading hardware and software offerings for the design, operation, and maintenance of production automation and management systems. As a part of the acquisition, Rockwell will welcome more than 500 highly engaged new employees.

The acquisition will be financed with a combination of cash and short-term and long-term debt. Subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to close in Rockwell’s fiscal fourth quarter.