(The Center Square) – Rockwell Automation is promising a $2 billion manufacturing investment in two states over the next five years.
The company made the announcement this week, with an eye toward expanding in Wisconsin and Ohio.
“The plants that are in both states will be beneficiaries of this investment,” Rockwell CEO Blake Moret told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
It’s not clear just how many new jobs the investment will bring, though it is likely that a lot of the investment will be in automation.
“We’ve returned to hiring, but it is with a continued close eye on managing our costs and doing it as efficiently as possible,” Moret said.
Company officials said the new investment will include new digital infrastructure and additional talent, which will allow the company to “grow share” and “expand margins.”
Rockwell also said some of the $2 billion will be used for “brick and mortar” investments.
Wisconsin’s economic development office has not yet said if the state is offering any tax benefits or incentives to Rockwell.
Wisconsin is offering $100 million to Eli Lilly for its manufacturing investment in the state.
Lilly this week said it’s now looking to spend $4 billion on a manufacturing and tech hub in Kenosha County. That project is expected to come with 750 new jobs.
Gov. Tony Evers said the Lilly plant highlights Wisconsin as a manufacturing state.
“Coupled with our state’s designation as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub, history of game-changing innovations, and world-class manufacturing, Wisconsin is proud to partner with Lilly as they make this historic investment in our communities. This is great news for Wisconsin,” the governor said.
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Rockwell’s Moret said his company’s investment is a sign of support for making things in the U.S. again.
“We are very supportive of the renewed focus on increasing U.S. manufacturing. It’s important for Rockwell, and I personally think that manufacturing plays an absolutely critical role at the center of the U.S. economy,” Moret said.