Rockwell Automation plans to build a new manufacturing plant in southeast Wisconsin, but the company hasn’t specified where the plant would be located.
The industrial automation company made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the facility will have more than 1 million square-feet of factory and warehouse space.
That could make the new site Rockwell’s largest manufacturing campus in the world, Rockwell said.
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
The plan is part of a five-year, $2 billion-investment in domestic manufacturing the company announced earlier this year.
In a statement, Gov. Tony Evers thanked the company for its “ongoing commitment to Wisconsin,” saying he looked forward to seeing how the new expansion will support the state’s workers and economy.
“Rockwell Automation has been leading the way with high-quality manufacturing and technology solutions for over a century,” Evers said. “We’re incredibly proud of that tradition and how they’ve continued to exemplify the innovation and excellence that Wisconsin is known for.”
Rockwell said it was looking to develop a greenfield site. The company did not specify where the plant would be built, but said it would be close to its global headquarters in Milwaukee.
Bob Buttermore, the company’s chief supply chain officer, said the new facility would use the company’s latest technology, including advanced automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and analytics tools.
“I’m excited to see our highly skilled workforce maximize the potential of this site,” Buttermore said in a statement. “This investment reflects our confidence in our teams that deliver excellence every day.”
The company did not immediately respond to an interview request. In its announcement, Rockwell said it is moving forward with site planning and construction “in concert with local and state officials.”
Sam Rikkers, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., confirmed the agency is in talks with Rockwell. But he said he couldn’t comment on possible development incentives or the plant’s location, or estimate the number of new jobs it could create.
Rikkers said the company’s decision to expand in Wisconsin highlights the importance of manufacturing in the state.
“Wisconsin’s not resting on its laurels and sitting there enjoying the heyday of some earlier time,” he said. “Wisconsin right now is continuing to lead as we’ve led for generations in what manufacturing looks like at the most cutting edge level of manufacturing.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
