Rockwell Results

Source

Rockwell Automation Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

• Revenue down 31 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2008, down 4 percent sequentially
• Diluted EPS of $0.23
• Company reaffirms fiscal 2009 EPS guidance of $1.40 - $1.70

Segment wise

Architecture & Software

• Sales decreased 36% YOY, 5% of decrease due to currency translation
• Sales increased 2% sequentially

Control Products & Solutions

• Sales decreased 28% YOY, 5% of decrease due to currency translation, partially offset by 1% of growth from acquisitions
• Sales decreased 8% sequentially

Honeywell 2Q Profit Down 38%

Source

Chairman and Chief Executive Dave Cote on Monday called the company's performance good in a tough environment, saying it had several long-term contract wins and strong cash flow. "Economic conditions, however, remain challenging and we are not planning for any recovery in 2009," he added.

Sales for its automation and control systems segment fell 17% as profits declined 11% and margins rose to 11.5% from 10.8% on productivity improvements.

ABB Q2, 2009 Results

Source: Revenues stable as markets continue to challenge, cost take-out supports margins

• Revenues of $7.9 billion on continued successful execution of the order backlog
• $1 billion EBIT after ca. $120 million restructuring-related costs – EBIT margin at 13.2%
• Orders down 27% in local currencies vs record Q2 in 2008 – base orders 25% lower
• Cash from operations above $1 billion, net income at $675 million

as % of revenues	Q2 09	Q2 08
Power Products	19.50%	19.40%
Power Systems	7.60%	7.10%
Automation Products	14.90%	19.60%
Process Automation	9.30%	11.80%
Robotics	-21.80%	7.00%

 

Net cash at the end of the second quarter was $5.7 billion compared to $4.8 billion at the end of the previous quarter. Cash flow from operations amounted to $1.1 billion, slightly higher than the second quarter of 2008

 

Demand in ABB’s industrial end markets depends to a large extent on GDP growth and capital spending, together with commodity prices. Customers’ need to steadily improve efficiency and productivity to meet increasing competition also drives orders, along with demand in construction and in general industry.

Therefore, management’s priority for 2009 remains to ensure that the company has the flexibility to respond quickly to changing market conditions, taking advantage of its global footprint, strong balance sheet and leading technologies to improve its cost competitiveness while simultaneously tapping further opportunities for profitable growth.

ABB also confirms its previously published targets for the period 2007 to 2011, with the exception of the Robotics division, which is facing an unprecedented market downturn and requires further restructuring.

Invensys Outlook and Q1,2009 Performance

Source

Compared with the corresponding period last year, Group order intake in the first quarter of the financial year was up 17% at actual exchange rates and was flat at constant exchange rates.

In our new Invensys Operations Management (IOM) division, the integration of our industrial automation businesses is proceeding well and we have appointed Sudipta Bhattacharya, formerly President of Wonderware, to lead the division. The pipeline of order prospects in projects and solutions remains strong though we are continuing to experience reduced volumes in the short-cycle products business, which will have an impact upon first half performance. However we expect the second half to benefit from our large order pipeline, the IOM integration and the increasing effects of cost reduction initiatives.

Invensys Rail continues to perform well in our core markets and our pipeline of order prospects in export markets remains strong. In addition, we are focussed upon pursuing the opportunities in countries implementing significant rail infrastructure stimulus packages.

Invensys Controls has seen some stabilisation in demand in North America in recent weeks and is experiencing declines within its European operations. Overall we continue to expect that the division will be profitable for the year with positive cash flow.

Financial Position
At 30 June 2009, the Group had net cash and deposits of £277 million, a £32 million reduction in the quarter, with good operating cash conversion of around 100% offset by the effect of currency translation and the payment of non-operating items including restructuring, taxation and part of the Baan minority

ARC's Sixth India Forum

http://www.arcweb.com/Events/Pages/Hyderabad09.aspx#register

Winning Strategies and Best Practices for Process Industries
Driving Performance During Economic Downturn

July 23-25, 2009 - Hyderabad, India

ABB FlexPicker Robots

One of the fascinating videos of ABB's FlexPicker

Rockwell - Free Starter Programming Software for MicroLogix 1000 and 1100

Rockwell is offering MicroLogix free of charge. Using MicroLogix users can create, modify and monitor application programs for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix controllers.

http://www.ab.com/programmablecontrol/plc/micrologix/downloads.html

Cognizant in alliance with Invensys

Cognizant, a leading technology, consulting and business process outsourcing services provider, has entered into a strategic global product research and development alliance with Invensys Operations Management (IOM), a global provider of technology systems, solutions and consulting services in the process and manufacturing space.

Being an employee of Invensys, I am present personally in this townhall. And I can say that mood was quite grim in the beginning, but slowly my colleagues started facing reality. This is the walk of life. Sometimes Business heads take decision and then ask techies to support their vision and mission. I don’t have any viewpoint here to comment about such approach.

Personally I believe in taking confidence of every stakeholder before venturing anything of this nature. My definition of stakeholder is not limited to CEO’s and top level leaders, rather I go with each and every one till last possible lead in the chain.

I would compare it with land acquisition activity by governments. Land owners doesn’t stand a chance but accept the little bit more monetary benefit. Now it is up to Cognizant to keep this pool of talented resources motivated and provide them a vision ahead.

Automation controller market growth will resume in 2010

As published in automation world,  based on ARC report, automation controller market is expected to have growth in 2010.

http://www.automationworld.com/news-5761

Highlights

a) PLC market is expected to contract in 2009 but is expected to increase in 2010

b) Growth is expected in building automation business as commercial, industrial, and residential building projects resume

c) Once China and India resume their gross domestic product (GDP) growth, it will create demand for a broad range of products

d) Services continue to be the fastest-growing segment of the overall DCS market.

e) After market services segment is much greater than that of project services

f) Main Automation Contractor (MAC) is expected to take full responsibility for all the automation related aspects of a project

g) Demand has been strong for outsourced maintenance and performance-related services such as loop monitoring

It is 11 years now

As on today my professional career completed 11 years. Longest vacation I ever had was for 11 days.

Somehow I am feeling like that is not enough to reset the garbage that I collected. I wish giving myself a break for couple of months to do something that is close to heart.

I just want to kick start my Bullet and hit roads till I reach a mountain peak where I can live at least a day without having a connection to anything in this world.

We will do original designs locally

Honeywell’s worldwide chairman and CEO David M Cote was in Bangalore recently to inaugurate the firm’s second research facility. The head honcho spoke about why Honeywell is bullish on India, research areas it is focusing on …

Honeywell Introduces Improved Ballistic Material

Source: Honeywell Introduces Improved Ballistic Material for Military, Police Vests and Soft Armor Applications

I guess India is potential market for this business. Typical armor that our police and military personnel use weighs almost 12 KGs. HAL with its expertise in composite materials could attempt to make a better solutions. Sometime back I heard from a senior executive of Bangalore based aerospace company about their interest in this area. In my opinion application of technology for life saving needs like this is a unique opportunity.

ABB’s 3D animation solutions for Azipod at Nor-Shipping

Source : ABB in 3D at Nor-Shipping

ABB’s 3D animation solution for its 1 billion order revenue offering (Azipod) is an attraction at Nor-shipping.

ABB is the world leader in electric propulsion, and offers a full range of systems, from variable speed electric machinery for shaftline propulsion and mechanical thusters to the unique family of Azipod podded propulsion systems.

An extensive development project within ABB Marine was established in 2007 with the objective of developing a next generation, further enhanced Azipod® propulsion unit family.

The next generation Azipod is a centerpiece of ABB's world famous electric propulsion system for ships, which usually consists of an Azipod, a frequency converter and a power supply.

Azipod units increase fuel efficiency by up to 15 percent in vessels using an efficient design that delivers enhanced maneuverability in harbors and confined areas.

Reduced Life Cycle Costs through Improved Operational Efficiency,Availability and Maintainability