罗克韦尔自动化将以22.2亿美元收购Plex Systems

• 罗克韦尔自动化将以 22.2 亿美元现金收购 Plex Systems
• Plex 是领先的、可大规模运行的纯软件即服务（SaaS）云原生智能制造平台
• Plex可为离散工业、混合工业和流程工业提供领先的应用软件，助力这些领域内的生产制造、供应链可视化和质量管控
• Plex的营收目前呈两位数增长，此次收购将立刻提升罗克韦尔自动化的营业利润率
• 收购 Plex 有望加速罗克韦尔自动化的年度经常性收入流（ARR），使ARR目标提前约两年达成

全球最大的工业自动化、信息化和数字化转型企业之一罗克韦尔自动化公司（NYSE: ROK）与全球领先的云原生智能制造平台供应商Plex Systems（简称“Plex”）近日宣布，双方已达成协议，罗克韦尔自动化将以 22.2 亿美元现金收购Plex。

Plex的独特优势在于可提供大规模运行的单实例、多租户架构的软件即服务（SaaS）智能制造平台。该平台具有先进的制造执行系统、质量和供应链管理能力，可每天为全球700余家客户处理超过80亿次数据交互。随着罗克韦尔自动化在全球市场准入、行业专业知识，以及将实时数据转化为决策等优势的加入，Plex的软件能力将得到进一步凸显。

“随着制造业企业愈来愈多地采用云解决方案以提高其运营的弹性、灵活性和可持续性，此次收购将加速罗克韦尔自动化实现‘互联企业’战略。”罗克韦尔自动化公司董事长兼首席执行官 Blake Moret 表示，“通过将 Plex 的尖端云技术和罗克韦尔自动化的现有产品组合及领域专业知识相结合，我们将为客户带来更多价值，创造更多制胜可能。这次收购也将加速我们的软件收入增长，并强化年度经常性收入流（ARR）。”

当前，制造业企业面临日趋激烈的市场竞争，迫切需要增加产量，提高灵活性，提升效率并保证合规。企业希望寻求易于部署、使用和维护的云制造执行系统，以实现生产系统的智能化升级。Plex则能够帮助客户连接、自动操作、跟踪和分析他们的运营和供应链。

罗克韦尔自动化公司软件与控制部高级副总裁 Brian Shepherd 表示：“我们相信，大数据与工业互联网等技术力量的融合，正在改变工业制造。罗克韦尔自动化近期收购整合了Fiix先进的资产维护和管理能力，结合Plex的加入，我们将为客户的现代生产系统提供更强大的云原生解决方案组合。”

Plex 公司首席执行官Bill Berutti表示：“Plex并非一家普通的企业，更是智能制造发展中的先锋，是全球 700余家客户值得信赖的合作伙伴。此次与罗克韦尔自动化联手，将为我们的客户、合作伙伴和员工带来更多价值，不断扩大我们的影响力，更好地践行‘云智造’使命。”

Plex将并入罗克韦尔自动化软件与控制业务部门，为各类自动化生产与管理系统提供包括设计、运营和维护等方面的领先硬件、软件产品与服务。伴随着此次收购，罗克韦尔自动化将迎来500余位新员工。

此次收购将以现金结合短期和长期债务的方式进行。根据例行成交条件以及监管审查的完成进展，这项收购预计将于2021财年第四季度完成。

 

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.