2026 Smart Manufacturing Report Reveals Industry Transformation
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Necessity of Digital Transformation: 90% of manufacturers believe that digital transformation is essential for maintaining competitiveness, indicating that this trend has become a baseline requirement for businesses, driving overall industry upgrades.
- Accelerated AI Adoption: Currently, 34% of operations are AI-augmented, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, highlighting AI's role as a core driver of industrial advantage, enhancing quality and optimizing processes.
- Operational Intelligence Differentiation: Despite increasing data collection, only 43% of data is being utilized effectively, revealing that execution capability is a critical factor impacting performance, necessitating improvement.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: Nearly 46% of manufacturers experienced cyber incidents in the past year, and as operations become more connected, secure, integrated IT/OT architectures are foundational for scaling AI and advanced automation.
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Analyst Views on ROK
Wall Street analysts forecast ROK stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 440.250
Low
105.00
Averages
406.87
High
470.00
Current: 440.250
Low
105.00
Averages
406.87
High
470.00
About ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc. is engaged in industrial automation and digital transformation. The Company operates in three segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. The Intelligent Devices segment portfolio includes power control, motion control, safety, sensing, and industrial components, and micro control and distributed input/output. 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. The Lifecycle Services segment includes consulting services, including cybersecurity and digital transformation strategy and design and professional services, including global automation and information program and project management and delivery capabilities, and connected services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Smart Manufacturing Report Highlights AI Expansion
- Digital Transformation Priority: 90% of manufacturers view digital transformation as a critical factor for competitiveness, indicating a significant shift in the industry's focus towards the application of digital technologies to maintain market position.
- AI-Driven Operational Optimization: Currently, 34% of operational processes are enhanced by AI, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, highlighting AI's emergence as a core operational function that drives quality and efficiency improvements.
- Insufficient Data Utilization: Despite collecting vast amounts of data, only 43% is effectively utilized, revealing a gap in implementation capabilities, necessitating enhanced data analytics to improve operational performance.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: 46% of manufacturers experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past year, reflecting increasing risks as operations become more interconnected, making integrated security architectures essential for scaling technologies.
See More
2026 Smart Manufacturing Report Reveals Industry Transformation
- Necessity of Digital Transformation: 90% of manufacturers believe that digital transformation is essential for maintaining competitiveness, indicating that this trend has become a baseline requirement for businesses, driving overall industry upgrades.
- Accelerated AI Adoption: Currently, 34% of operations are AI-augmented, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, highlighting AI's role as a core driver of industrial advantage, enhancing quality and optimizing processes.
- Operational Intelligence Differentiation: Despite increasing data collection, only 43% of data is being utilized effectively, revealing that execution capability is a critical factor impacting performance, necessitating improvement.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: Nearly 46% of manufacturers experienced cyber incidents in the past year, and as operations become more connected, secure, integrated IT/OT architectures are foundational for scaling AI and advanced automation.
See More
Smart Manufacturing Report Highlights Accelerated AI Adoption
- Shift in Technology Adoption: 59% of manufacturers report actively using smart manufacturing technologies to optimize operations, marking a significant shift from previous pilot phases and enhancing competitive positioning in the market.
- AI as a Competitive Driver: Currently, 34% of manufacturing operations are augmented by AI, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, not only improving production efficiency but also establishing AI as a core operational capability for the future.
- Inefficient Data Utilization: Despite manufacturers collecting vast amounts of data, only 43% is effectively utilized, highlighting that execution capability is the primary barrier to performance, thus underscoring the importance of data processing capabilities.
- Escalating Cybersecurity Challenges: 46% of manufacturers experienced at least one cybersecurity incident in the past year, indicating that as operations become more connected, the integration of secure architectures is crucial for supporting the widespread deployment of AI and automation.
See More
Rockwell Automation's Strong Earnings Boosts Stock Price
- Strong Earnings Report: Rockwell Automation's earnings report revealed a robust performance despite a $212 million expense from unusual items impacting profits, suggesting an overall positive outlook for future profitability.
- Underestimated Profit Potential: Analysts believe that the current quarter's earnings results may be understated due to the impact of unusual items in the past year, indicating potential for improved profitability and stock price appreciation.
- EPS Growth: The company's earnings per share have increased by 21% over the last twelve months, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability and bolstering investor confidence in Rockwell Automation's financial health.
- Investment Risk Warning: While the company shows strong performance, there is still one warning sign identified, which investors should consider when evaluating the overall investment potential and associated risks.
See More
Rockwell Automation Reports Strong Q1 Growth Driven by Demand
- Significant Growth: Rockwell Automation reported Q1 revenue of $2.24 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.16 billion with an 11.9% year-over-year increase, indicating strong market demand and robust performance in North America.
- Improved Profitability: The adjusted EPS reached $3.30, surpassing the $2.88 forecast by analysts, reflecting a 14.5% increase and showcasing the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $8.9 billion from $8.8 billion, a 1.1% increase, while also lifting the adjusted EPS guidance to $12.80, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance.
- Strong Industry Demand: CEO Blake Moret emphasized that robust demand in discrete industries such as data centers, e-commerce, and semiconductors is driving growth, with a continued focus on adoption rates of automation and AI-enabled products in the future.
See More
Rockwell Automation Enhances Refrigeration System Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency Boost: Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx-powered RtCOP application helps a frozen food manufacturer increase energy efficiency by 17%, resulting in approximately $130,000 annual savings per site, significantly reducing operational costs and enhancing equipment reliability.
- Continuous Optimization Capability: Operating like a virtual operator, RtCOP analyzes system capacities and environmental conditions in real-time to automatically select the most energy-efficient combinations of compressors, condensers, and evaporators, surpassing the limitations of human operators and driving intelligent transformation in refrigeration systems.
- Addressing Skills Shortages: As food producers face challenges with specialized skills shortages, the implementation of RtCOP not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces reliance on human resources, aligning with industry trends towards sustainability.
- Industry Impact: With industrial refrigeration systems accounting for 70% of a plant's electricity consumption, the successful application of RtCOP presents a significant opportunity for energy optimization in food manufacturing, pushing the industry towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
See More
Smart Manufacturing Report Highlights AI Expansion
- Digital Transformation Priority: 90% of manufacturers view digital transformation as a critical factor for competitiveness, indicating a significant shift in the industry's focus towards the application of digital technologies to maintain market position.
- AI-Driven Operational Optimization: Currently, 34% of operational processes are enhanced by AI, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, highlighting AI's emergence as a core operational function that drives quality and efficiency improvements.
- Insufficient Data Utilization: Despite collecting vast amounts of data, only 43% is effectively utilized, revealing a gap in implementation capabilities, necessitating enhanced data analytics to improve operational performance.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: 46% of manufacturers experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past year, reflecting increasing risks as operations become more interconnected, making integrated security architectures essential for scaling technologies.
See More
2026 Smart Manufacturing Report Reveals Industry Transformation
- Necessity of Digital Transformation: 90% of manufacturers believe that digital transformation is essential for maintaining competitiveness, indicating that this trend has become a baseline requirement for businesses, driving overall industry upgrades.
- Accelerated AI Adoption: Currently, 34% of operations are AI-augmented, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, highlighting AI's role as a core driver of industrial advantage, enhancing quality and optimizing processes.
- Operational Intelligence Differentiation: Despite increasing data collection, only 43% of data is being utilized effectively, revealing that execution capability is a critical factor impacting performance, necessitating improvement.
- Cybersecurity Challenges: Nearly 46% of manufacturers experienced cyber incidents in the past year, and as operations become more connected, secure, integrated IT/OT architectures are foundational for scaling AI and advanced automation.
See More
Smart Manufacturing Report Highlights Accelerated AI Adoption
- Shift in Technology Adoption: 59% of manufacturers report actively using smart manufacturing technologies to optimize operations, marking a significant shift from previous pilot phases and enhancing competitive positioning in the market.
- AI as a Competitive Driver: Currently, 34% of manufacturing operations are augmented by AI, with expectations that this will exceed 50% by 2030, not only improving production efficiency but also establishing AI as a core operational capability for the future.
- Inefficient Data Utilization: Despite manufacturers collecting vast amounts of data, only 43% is effectively utilized, highlighting that execution capability is the primary barrier to performance, thus underscoring the importance of data processing capabilities.
- Escalating Cybersecurity Challenges: 46% of manufacturers experienced at least one cybersecurity incident in the past year, indicating that as operations become more connected, the integration of secure architectures is crucial for supporting the widespread deployment of AI and automation.
See More
Rockwell Automation's Strong Earnings Boosts Stock Price
- Strong Earnings Report: Rockwell Automation's earnings report revealed a robust performance despite a $212 million expense from unusual items impacting profits, suggesting an overall positive outlook for future profitability.
- Underestimated Profit Potential: Analysts believe that the current quarter's earnings results may be understated due to the impact of unusual items in the past year, indicating potential for improved profitability and stock price appreciation.
- EPS Growth: The company's earnings per share have increased by 21% over the last twelve months, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability and bolstering investor confidence in Rockwell Automation's financial health.
- Investment Risk Warning: While the company shows strong performance, there is still one warning sign identified, which investors should consider when evaluating the overall investment potential and associated risks.
See More
Rockwell Automation Reports Strong Q1 Growth Driven by Demand
- Significant Growth: Rockwell Automation reported Q1 revenue of $2.24 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.16 billion with an 11.9% year-over-year increase, indicating strong market demand and robust performance in North America.
- Improved Profitability: The adjusted EPS reached $3.30, surpassing the $2.88 forecast by analysts, reflecting a 14.5% increase and showcasing the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $8.9 billion from $8.8 billion, a 1.1% increase, while also lifting the adjusted EPS guidance to $12.80, demonstrating management's confidence in future performance.
- Strong Industry Demand: CEO Blake Moret emphasized that robust demand in discrete industries such as data centers, e-commerce, and semiconductors is driving growth, with a continued focus on adoption rates of automation and AI-enabled products in the future.
See More
Rockwell Automation Enhances Refrigeration System Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency Boost: Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx-powered RtCOP application helps a frozen food manufacturer increase energy efficiency by 17%, resulting in approximately $130,000 annual savings per site, significantly reducing operational costs and enhancing equipment reliability.
- Continuous Optimization Capability: Operating like a virtual operator, RtCOP analyzes system capacities and environmental conditions in real-time to automatically select the most energy-efficient combinations of compressors, condensers, and evaporators, surpassing the limitations of human operators and driving intelligent transformation in refrigeration systems.
- Addressing Skills Shortages: As food producers face challenges with specialized skills shortages, the implementation of RtCOP not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces reliance on human resources, aligning with industry trends towards sustainability.
- Industry Impact: With industrial refrigeration systems accounting for 70% of a plant's electricity consumption, the successful application of RtCOP presents a significant opportunity for energy optimization in food manufacturing, pushing the industry towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
See More
