Rockwell Automation at Baird 2026 Global Industrial Conference: growth, AI

On Wednesday, 11 November 2026, Rockwell Automation showcased a robust performance at the Baird 2026 Global Industrial Conference, with strong fiscal 2026 results and an optimistic fiscal 2027 outlook. Despite rising component costs, demand remained resilient across key end markets. The company emphasized that software and AI were generating demand, not replacing hardware.

Rockwell Automation reported a higher-than-anticipated organic growth of 7.5% to 9.5% in fiscal 2026, surpassing the initial target of 2% to 6%. For fiscal 2027, the company forecasted organic growth of 6% to 9%, driven by pricing, share gains, recurring revenue, and potential M&A activity. Management highlighted the growing importance of software-defined automation and AI as demand drivers, rather than hardware substitutes.

The company demonstrated a $1 billion annual recurring revenue base, which is projected to grow by 7% in fiscal 2027. Q4 2026 orders showed a mid-teens increase, with the fiscal 2027 revenue pipeline expanding compared to the previous year. Fiscal 2026 surpassed expectations, with robust orders in new U.S. plant capacity, including reshoring and greenfield projects in global markets like Europe and Asia.

Rockwell's Logix programmable controllers experienced a 25% growth in Q4, reflecting consistent demand. The company's programming controllers and lifecycle services continued to show strong performance, with AI integration across the product portfolio aimed at improving productivity and creating new recurring revenue streams. Rockwell Automation remains a leading player in the industry, outperforming competitors such as Siemens Digital Industries, Schneider Electric, and Emerson.