FY 2024 Automation Outlook: Key Insights from Schneider Electric, ABB & Rockwell Automation

The latest financial results from ABB, Schneider Electric, and Rockwell Automation reflect the continued expansion of the industrial automation sector, driven by growing investments in electrification, energy management, and digital transformation.

Financial Performance Overview

ABB reported a strong revenue of $32.9 billion, with its Electrification segment contributing the highest share at $15.45 billion, followed by Motion ($7.79 billion), Process Automation ($6.76 billion), and Robotics & Discrete Automation ($3.21 billion). The company’s operational EBITA margin of 18.1% and a free cash flow of $3.9 billion indicate strong profitability and efficient cost management. ABB’s financial strength is largely driven by increasing demand for industrial electrification, digital automation solutions, and AI-powered manufacturing enhancements.

Schneider Electric achieved €38.15 billion in revenue, an 8% organic growth compared to the previous year. The Energy Management segment, its largest business, accounted for €31.13 billion, marking an 11.5% organic rise, while Industrial Automation generated €7.02 billion, showing a 3.7% decline. The growth in Energy Management is attributed to increasing investments in grid modernisation, energy efficiency solutions, and sustainable infrastructure, while the decline in Industrial Automation suggests temporary market saturation or slowed industrial investments in key regions. Net profit rose to €4.27 billion from €4.00 billion, demonstrating improved cost efficiency and strategic investment in high-margin solutions.

Rockwell Automation posted $8.26 billion in revenue, with Intelligent Devices contributing $3.80 billion, Software & Control $2.19 billion, and Lifecycle Services $2.27 billion. The company’s growth was supported by strong demand for digital twin technology, cybersecurity in industrial automation, and cloud-based software solutions, aligning with the shift towards Industry 4.0 and increased predictive maintenance adoption.

Regional Revenue Breakdown & Growth Drivers

ABB: The Americas led with $12.11 billion, reflecting strong demand for automation and electrification in North America’s expanding data centre and semiconductor industries. Europe followed with $11.45 billion, benefiting from investment in smart grid infrastructure and electrified transportation. Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) contributed $10.13 billion, driven by China’s push for industrial automation, growing infrastructure projects in India, and renewable energy investments across the Middle East.

Schneider Electric: The company saw its highest revenue in North America (€12.23 billion), reflecting the strong push for energy-efficient buildings, AI-driven data centres, and electrification projects. Asia-Pacific (€8.12 billion) continued to be a growth driver, fuelled by China’s rapid industrial modernisation, India’s smart factory initiatives, and Southeast Asia’s manufacturing expansion. Western Europe (€7.08 billion) benefitted from increased investments in renewable energy integration and industrial automation in Germany and France, while the Rest of the World (€3.70 billion) saw moderate growth, supported by infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in emerging markets.

Rockwell Automation: North America remained its dominant market with $5.05 billion in revenue, reflecting strong automation investments in manufacturing, automotive, and food processing industries. EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) contributed $1.97 billion, while Latin America’s revenue stood at $634 million, indicating slower adoption of advanced automation technologies in some developing economies.

Key Market Trends & Industry Drivers

Electrification and Smart Energy Solutions – A major revenue driver for ABB and Schneider Electric has been the increasing adoption of smart grid solutions, energy-efficient buildings, and renewable energy integration. Governments and corporations are investing heavily in carbon-neutral solutions, digital substations, and AI-driven energy optimisation to comply with global sustainability targets.

Industrial Digitalisation & AI-Driven Automation – The push for Industry 4.0 has driven demand for cloud-based automation, AI-powered robotics, and digital twin technologies, boosting sales in ABB’s Process Automation and Rockwell’s Software & Control segments. AI-driven predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and autonomous production systems are also accelerating investments across industries.

Reshoring & Regional Supply Chain Investments – The shift towards regionalised production and supply chain resilience has led to increased investment in localised manufacturing automation. North America’s strength in all three companies’ financial results reflects reshoring efforts in semiconductor manufacturing, battery production for EVs, and critical infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure & Smart Cities Development – Increased global spending on urban infrastructure, smart buildings, and industrial electrification has been a key contributor to revenue growth, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific.

Conclusion: A Resilient and Evolving Industry

The latest financial performances of ABB, Schneider Electric, and Rockwell Automation highlight the resilience and expansion of the automation industry, particularly in electrification, AI-driven manufacturing, and digital automation solutions. While some segments, like Schneider Electric’s Industrial Automation, have faced temporary slowdowns, the overall industry outlook remains strong, fuelled by sustainability initiatives, digital transformation, and increased industrial electrification.

Looking ahead, the industry must navigate supply chain complexities, adapt to evolving energy policies, and continue investing in AI, robotics, and digitalisation to stay competitive. The regional revenue distributions underscore the need for localisation strategies, ensuring manufacturers can effectively serve high-growth markets while mitigating geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

If you would like to discuss any of the topics raised in this piece or if you need support with your leadership resourcing strategy, please get in touch with Alex Catana on: alex.catana@beaumontbailey.com.