Rockwell Automation has announced plans to set up an Asian-Pacific business centre in Singapore, that will include engineering, manufacturing and business management activities. A product development centre will be established at the site, which will also co-ordinate activities with Rockwell`s design and manufacturing partners.

The centre, due to be fully operational by 2008, will focus initially on areas of Rockwell`s business that are in demand in Asia and which are "highly strategic" to the company`s global growth. These include: small PLCs; distributed I/O; operator displays; and component drives.

Rockwell chief executive Keith Nosbusch describes the move as "the next logical step" in the company`s strategy of investing to serve customers worldwide. It will also help Rockwell to meet its goal of having at least half of its sales outside the US by 2009.

"Singapore is a business-friendly location with a strong legal and intellectual property infrastructure that underpins an excellent business environment," adds Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice-president of Rockwell`s Automation Control and Instrumentation group.

As a result of work transferring to the Singapore centre, up to half of the 400 jobs at Rockwell`s Dublin, Georgia, plant will disappear over a three-year period, starting next year. The plant`s activities include the production of distributed I/O products.