Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser Partnership Provides Customers With Process Field Device Expertise and Total Process Automation Solutions


MILWAUKEE, March 5: At the eleventh annual ARC Forum in Orlando, Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser demonstrated progress in their strategic alliance designed to deliver world-class process manufacturing solutions and develop next-generation process control technologies.

Formed in December 2004, the unique alliance was established to provide comprehensive solutions for plant engineering, operations and management to customers with a mix of process and discrete automation tasks, using Endress+Hauser's market-leading measurement devices and the Rockwell Automation integrated control and information architecture. Since then, the collaboration of the two suppliers has
focused on three key strategic initiatives: technology innovation, integrated asset management and coordinated engineering services.

"Unlike point solution providers or traditional process automation vendors, this global partnership draws from the core competencies of both companies to produce something that is greater than the sum of two independent parts," said Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice president, Rockwell Automation. "Together we are able to deliver best-in-class measurement, automation and information solutions to help customers succeed."

With preferred integration between the Endress+Hauser spectrum of process instruments (including level, flow, pressure, temperature and analytical) and the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture(TM), process manufacturers are able to reduce risk and integration costs while protecting their investment with assured interoperability. In addition, a seamless flow of information between key components of the manufacturing process-from the field device through enterprise business systems-improves decision-making and overall equipment optimization.

"The strong alliance between Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser goes beyond simply offering field instrumentation in conjunction with Integrated Architecture automation systems," stated Larry O'Brien, research director at ARC Advisory Group. "It involves joint research and development between the two companies, as well as fieldbus interoperability testing, and even encompasses the integration of Rockwell Automation's own devices, such as drives, into a complete plant asset management solution."

Alliance Initiatives Address Customer Needs

The alliance initiatives have helped manufacturers more tightly coordinate the process and discrete portions of their plants, and also increased understanding of the importance of open standards such as field device tool (FDT) in industrial automation. Through the alliance, Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser have been promoting field device tool/device type manager (FDT/DTM) technology that provides a single interface to devices residing on multiple field and control networks. The two companies also support a range of standard bus technologies and have several board level positions, including the HART Communication Foundation, Fieldbus Foundation, FDT Group and ODVA.

"Listening to the needs and challenges our customers face led us to work together to expand device connectivity and configuration capabilities," said Todd Lucey, general manager, Endress+Hauser. "Through collaboration, both companies are able to provide a wide range of pre-tested, standards-based measurement, automation and information solutions to help our customers reduce costs, improve efficiency and optimize plant assets."

Customer Successes Through Collaboration

Manufacturers across a range of industries are already taking advantage of the value this collaboration brings. Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser recently worked together to assist two renewable energy customers, Integrity Biofuels and Archer Daniels Midland to meet demanding timelines on the implementation of control systems for their biodiesel facilities in Morristown, Ind., and Mexico, Mo. The customer received a system that optimizes output, resources and assets using Endress+Hauser level, flow, pressure and temperature instruments in conjunction with the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture.

The two companies also helped Red Gold, a food manufacturer, develop a control system for a "cookroom" used to make tomato products such as ketchup and canned tomatoes. Incorporating Endress+Hauser instruments and automated valves with Allen Bradley Programmable Automation Controllers, the customer was able to take advantage of a common software architecture and local supply.

Knauf Fiberglass, a privately-owned global fiberglass manufacturing company, has also reaped the benefits of the alliance for locations in Indiana and Alabama. Representatives from Endress+Hauser and Rockwell Automation showed the company how to support multiple bus protocols in one process controller using the Integrated Architecture platform and Endress+Hauser's "bus neutral" instrumentation. Using FDT/DTM technology, the manufacturer was able to manage its devices using the same network, without adding significant amounts of wiring or hardware, and also replace devices without re-configuring or experiencing down time.

For more information on the Endress+Hauser and Rockwell Automation alliance, visit http://www.rockwellautomation.com/solutions/process.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a leading global provider of industrial automation control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation which include Allen-Bradley controls and services and
Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

About Endress+Hauser

The Endress+Hauser Group is a global leader in the provision of measurement instrumentation and automation solutions for industrial process engineering. The company is a Swiss family business and consists of a network of legally independent companies, managed and coordinated by a holding company in Reinach, Switzerland. The group comprises 72 companies in 37 countries, which operate 19 production centers in Switzerland, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, China, Japan, India and the U.S.A. At the end of 2005, Endress+Hauser employed 6719 people, generating 885,1 million in revenue. The company's growth is due to a culture of innovation - more than 8 percent of the company's revenue is invested in research and development. In 2005, Endress+Hauser applied for 173 patents.

With a wide range of sensors, instruments, systems and services, Endress+Hauser covers the areas of level, flow, pressure, temperature, analysis and recording. The range also includes the connection of field appliances to mainframe processing systems using fieldbusses and automation and logistical solutions.

Allen-Bradley, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation and Rockwell Software are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.

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