Rockwell Automation Announces Executive Transition, MESTECH Acquisition

Milwaukee, WI-based industrial automation and information supplier Rockwell Automation made a pair of announcements on Tuesday, one regarding a transition for one of its senior leadership positions, and the other on the company's latest business acquisition.

NicolasOn the leadership side, Rockwell announced that Ernest Nicolas, currently vice president of global supply chain, has been promoted to senior vice president of operations & engineering services (OES), effective Nov. 1. He will have global leadership accountability for the six functions in OES that include global supply chain, quality & continuous improvement, engineering services, manufacturing operations, manufacturing services and workplace services. Nicolas will lead more than 9,500 OES employees and contractors and 19 manufacturing plants globally, and will report to chairman and CEO Blake Moret.

Concurrent with Nicolas' promotion, Rockwell said that its current SVP of OES, Mike Laszkiewicz, announced his intent to retire on Jan. 31.

“I appreciate Mike’s continued service to ensure smooth leadership transitions in the coming months,” Moret said. “Mike has held many leadership roles through his thirty-year career, notably leading the Power Control Business in CP&S before his senior leadership role in OES. His counsel to me has been tremendously valuable. Ernest is precisely the kind of leader I want to accelerate our growth. Ernest brings a wealth of manufacturing and supply chain leadership experience, and a passion for people, with genuine care for team success,” said Moret. “I value his thoughtful and strategic counsel.”

Nicolas joined Rockwell Automation in 2006 as a lean, Six Sigma project manager and has held several roles within the Operations & Engineering Services (OES) functions, including VP of global supply chain and VP of strategic sourcing and supply management, director of Asia Pacific manufacturing operations and plant manager of Twinsburg operations.

On the business side, Rockwell announced it has acquired MESTECH Services, a global provider of manufacturing execution systems/manufacturing operations management, digital solutions consulting and systems integration services. Founded in 2008, the company is headquartered in Pune, India and has U.S. offices in Bloomfield Hills, MI, along with operations in Germany.

Rockwell describes MESTECH as a Rockwell Automation Recognized Systems Integrator with extensive experience applying Rockwell’s software-based solutions within the manufacturing technology space, adding that the company offers technology consulting services, solutions design and deployment, support, plant asset management and staffing solutions for discrete, hybrid, and process applications across multiple industries, including life sciences and automotive.

“The acquisition of MESTECH expands our capabilities to profitably grow information solutions and  onnected services globally and accelerate Rockwell’s ability to help our customers execute digital transformation initiatives,” said Matthew Fordenwalt, Rockwell's VP and general manager of its Systems & Solutions business. “India is one of Rockwell’s fastest growing markets and MESTECH’s footprint and expertise will enable us to implement solutions faster, helping our customers increase their connectivity, efficiency, and productivity. At the same time, by joining the Rockwell family, MESTECH will be able to leverage Rockwell’s products and solutions in the areas of control, process, power information solutions and industrial IoT, including FactoryTalk Innovation Suite, powered by PTC, in order to help customers develop the best possible solutions while minimizing risk.”

The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Rockwell’s 2020 financial results.