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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004 Commission file number 1-12383


Rockwell Automation, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   25-1797617
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
777 East Wisconsin Avenue,   53202
Suite 1400,   (Zip Code)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin    
(Address of principal executive offices)    

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(414) 212-5299

(Office of the Corporate Secretary)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o

184,330,252 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding on June 30, 2004.



 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

INDEX

                 
            Page No.
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
 
               
  Item 1.   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:        
 
               
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet—
June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003
    2  
 
               
      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations—
Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
    3  
 
               
      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows—
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
    4  
 
               
      Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements     5  
 
               
      Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     13  
 
               
  Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    14  
 
               
  Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     22  
 
               
  Item 4.   Controls and Procedures     22  
 
               
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION        
 
               
  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings     22  
 
               
  Item 2.   Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     24  
 
               
  Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K     25  
 
               
Signatures
            26  

 


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)
(in millions)
                 
    June 30,     September 30,  
    2004
    2003
 
Assets
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 329.7     $ 226.4  
Receivables
    709.4       683.7  
Inventories
    570.7       541.6  
Deferred income taxes
    152.1       164.2  
Other current assets
    106.6       120.5  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total current assets
    1,868.5       1,736.4  
Property (net of accumulated depreciation:
               
June 30, 2004, $1,359.1; September 30, 2003, $1,276.4)
    857.2       925.4  
Goodwill
    809.6       798.2  
Other intangible assets
    334.7       344.1  
Other assets
    164.6       182.2  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 4,034.6     $ 3,986.3  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Liabilities and Shareowners’ Equity
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term debt
  $ 0.3     $ 8.7  
Accounts payable
    338.0       327.1  
Compensation and benefits
    182.4       170.6  
Income taxes payable
    45.1       15.0  
Other current liabilities
    344.8       298.6  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total current liabilities
    910.6       820.0  
Long-term debt
    752.3       764.0  
Retirement benefits
    571.7       656.7  
Deferred income taxes
    3.1       37.4  
Other liabilities
    119.8       121.4  
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)
               
Shareowners’ equity:
               
Common stock (shares issued: 216.4)
    216.4       216.4  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,033.9       1,007.5  
Retained earnings
    2,160.6       2,143.0  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (306.5 )     (343.8 )
Restricted stock compensation
    (1.1 )      
Common stock in treasury, at cost (shares held:
               
June 30, 2004, 32.1; September 30, 2003, 30.8)
    (1,426.2 )     (1,436.3 )
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total shareowners’ equity
    1,677.1       1,586.8  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 4,034.6     $ 3,986.3  
 
 
 
   
 
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Sales
  $ 1,163.5     $ 1,033.0     $ 3,292.1     $ 3,046.0  
Cost of sales
    (740.4 )     (688.8 )     (2,129.0 )     (2,044.9 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    423.1       344.2       1,163.1       1,001.1  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (277.4 )     (253.3 )     (813.0 )     (759.0 )
Other (expense) income
    (4.4 )     4.6             7.9  
Interest expense
    (10.1 )     (11.6 )     (30.8 )     (41.4 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    131.2       83.9       319.3       208.6  
Income tax (provision) benefit (Note 11)
    (4.8 )     44.2       (57.0 )     10.2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations
    126.4       128.1       262.3       218.8  
Income from discontinued operations
                4.6        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 126.4     $ 128.1     $ 266.9     $ 218.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.68     $ 0.69     $ 1.41     $ 1.18  
Discontinued operations
                0.02        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 0.68     $ 0.69     $ 1.43     $ 1.18  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.66     $ 0.67     $ 1.37     $ 1.15  
Discontinued operations
                0.02        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 0.66     $ 0.67     $ 1.39     $ 1.15  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash dividends per share (Note 1)
  $ 0.33     $ 0.33     $ 0.66     $ 0.66  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted average outstanding shares:
                               
Basic
    185.0       185.0       186.0       185.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted
    190.5       189.8       191.7       189.9  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)
(in millions)
                 
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
    2004
  2003
Continuing Operations:
               
Operating Activities:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 262.3     $ 218.8  
Adjustments to arrive at cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    121.1       128.9  
Amortization of intangible assets
    21.7       18.1  
Pension trust contributions
    (144.2 )     (56.2 )
Retirement benefits expense
    66.2       55.5  
Income tax matters
    (38.8 )     (69.4 )
Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options
    26.3       11.0  
Loss on disposition of a business
          8.4  
Net loss on dispositions of property
    1.2       2.1  
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and foreign currency adjustments:
               
Receivables
    (10.1 )     15.3  
Inventories
    (22.5 )     (2.5 )
Accounts payable
    4.5       (2.7 )
Compensation and benefits
    9.4       (7.3 )
Income taxes
    75.2       (43.4 )
Other assets and liabilities
    2.2       1.1  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    374.5       277.7  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Investing Activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (59.8 )     (70.9 )
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
          (25.7 )
Other investing activities
    2.7       (6.8 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Used for Investing Activities
    (57.1 )     (103.4 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Financing Activities:
               
Repayments of debt
    (8.4 )     (153.1 )
Cash dividends
    (92.1 )     (91.8 )
Purchases of treasury stock
    (174.0 )     (94.9 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    54.9       42.7  
Other financing activities
    (1.0 )     (1.5 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Used for Financing Activities
    (220.6 )     (298.6 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (2.7 )     (39.0 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Provided by (Used for) Continuing Operations
    94.1       (163.3 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations
    9.2        
 
   
 
     
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    103.3       (163.3 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    226.4       289.2  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 329.7     $ 125.9  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.   Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

     In the opinion of management of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (the Company or Rockwell Automation), the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting solely of adjustments of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

     Receivables

     Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $27.4 million at June 30, 2004 and $28.3 million at September 30, 2003.

     Dividends

     During the 2004 third quarter, the Company declared a dividend of $0.165 per share payable June 7, 2004 to shareowners of record on May 17, 2004 and also declared a fourth quarter 2004 dividend of $0.165 per share payable September 7, 2004 to shareowners of record on August 16, 2004. During the 2003 third quarter, the Company declared a dividend of $0.165 per share payable June 2, 2003 and also declared a fourth quarter 2003 dividend of $0.165 per share payable September 2, 2003.

     Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Stock options are granted at prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant dates, therefore no compensation expense is recognized in connection with stock options granted to employees. Compensation expense resulting from grants of restricted stock is recognized during the period in which the service is performed. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the fair value-based method provided by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, had been applied for all outstanding and unvested awards in each period:

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net income, as reported
  $ 126.4     $ 128.1     $ 266.9     $ 218.8  
Pro forma compensation expense, net of tax
    (2.1 )     (1.2 )     (9.9 )     (3.7 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma net income
  $ 124.3     $ 126.9     $ 257.0     $ 215.1  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic – as reported
  $ 0.68     $ 0.69     $ 1.43     $ 1.18  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic – pro forma
  $ 0.67     $ 0.69     $ 1.38     $ 1.16  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted – as reported
  $ 0.66     $ 0.67     $ 1.39     $ 1.15  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted – pro forma
  $ 0.65     $ 0.67     $ 1.34     $ 1.13  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     The fair value of each option is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Included in pro forma compensation expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 is $5.8 million ($3.6 million after tax) related to options that vested in the first quarter of 2004 as a result of the market price of the Company’s common stock reaching a specified level for a pre-determined period of time.

5


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies – (Continued)

     Earnings Per Share

     The Company presents two earnings per share (EPS) amounts, basic and diluted. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted EPS amounts are based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the applicable period. The difference between basic and diluted EPS is solely attributable to stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding stock options. Stock options for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. For each of the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004, the number of stock options excluded from the computations of diluted EPS was 0.1 million. For the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2003, the number of stock options excluded from the computations of diluted EPS was 0.2 million and 1.4 million, respectively.

     Income Taxes

     At the end of each interim reporting period, the Company estimates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The rate determined is used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis, excluding the effect of significant unusual items or items that are reported net of their related tax effects. The tax effect of significant unusual items is reflected in the period in which they occur.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was signed into law. The Act provides a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree healthcare benefit plans that provide a prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. In May 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) staff issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (FSP FAS 106-2) which supercedes FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-1, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 and is effective for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2004. As permitted by FSP FAS 106-2, the Company is currently evaluating the effect of the Act on its Other Postretirement Benefits and has not reflected in its net periodic postretirement benefit costs or accumulated postretirement benefit obligation any amount associated with the federal subsidy.

3. Acquisitions of Businesses

     In March 2003, the Company’s Control Systems segment acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Weidmüller Holding AG’s (Weidmüller) North American business. In addition, the Company entered into a master brand label agreement, a technology/design exchange and joint product development efforts with Weidmüller. In February 2003, the Company’s Control Systems segment acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Interwave Technology, Inc., a consulting integrator focusing on manufacturing solutions. The aggregate cash purchase price for these acquisitions was $25.7 million.

6


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. Inventories

     Inventories are summarized as follows (in millions):

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2003
Finished goods
  $ 209.7     $ 205.4  
Work in process
    155.4       138.1  
Raw materials, parts, and supplies
    205.6       198.1  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Inventories
  $ 570.7     $ 541.6  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     Inventories are reported net of the allowance for excess and obsolete inventory of $56.4 million at June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003.

5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 are as follows (in millions):

                         
    Control Systems
  Power Systems
  Total
Balance as of September 30, 2003
  $ 653.1     $ 145.1     $ 798.2  
Translation and other
    11.4             11.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2004
  $ 664.5     $ 145.1     $ 809.6  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

     Other intangible assets at June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003 consisted of the following (in millions):

                         
    June 30, 2004
    Carrying   Accumulated    
    Amount
  Amortization
  Net
Amortized intangible assets:
                       
Distributor networks
  $ 117.7     $ 82.8     $ 34.9  
Computer software products
    130.9       68.2       62.7  
Patents
    40.0       35.7       4.3  
Other
    95.4       73.4       22.0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total amortized intangible assets
    384.0       260.1       123.9  
Unamortized intangible assets
    292.2       81.4       210.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 676.2     $ 341.5     $ 334.7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
    September 30, 2003
    Carrying   Accumulated    
    Amount
  Amortization
  Net
Amortized intangible assets:
                       
Distributor networks
  $ 117.7     $ 78.9     $ 38.8  
Computer software products
    121.4       54.8       66.6  
Patents
    40.0       34.8       5.2  
Other
    92.6       69.9       22.7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total amortized intangible assets
    371.7       238.4       133.3  
Unamortized intangible assets
    292.2       81.4       210.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 663.9     $ 319.8     $ 344.1  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
     Estimated amortization expense is $28.9 million in 2004, $24.7 in 2005, $21.6 in 2006, $21.5 in 2007 and $20.8 in 2008.

7


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

6. Product Warranty Obligations

     The Company records a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience. The term of the warranty is generally twelve months. The Company also records a liability for specific warranty matters when they become known and are reasonably estimable. The Company’s product warranty obligations are included in other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     Changes in the product warranty obligations for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows (in millions):

                 
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
    2004
  2003
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 29.4     $ 30.7  
Warranties recorded at time of sale
    23.0       21.2  
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties
    0.1       (0.4 )
Payments
    (21.9 )     (20.9 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 30.6     $ 30.6  
 
   
 
     
 
 

7. Debt

     Short-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2003
Current portion of long-term debt
  $     $ 8.4  
Other borrowings
    0.3       0.3  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Short-term debt
  $ 0.3     $ 8.7  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
               
                 
    June 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2003
6.15% notes, payable in 2008
  $ 348.4     $ 360.4  
6.70% debentures, payable in 2028
    250.0       250.0  
5.20% debentures, payable in 2098
    200.0       200.0  
Other borrowings
          8.4  
Unamortized discount
    (46.1 )     (46.4 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Subtotal
    752.3       772.4  
Less current portion
          8.4  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Long-term debt
  $ 752.3     $ 764.0  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     The current portion of long-term debt at September 30, 2003 represents industrial development revenue bonds which the Company retired in January 2004 (prior to maturity).

     In September 2002, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the Swap) which effectively converted its $350 million aggregate principal amount of 6.15% notes, payable in 2008, to floating rate debt based on six-month LIBOR. The floating rate was 3.58 percent at June 30, 2004 and 3.52 percent at September 30, 2003. The fair value of the Swap, based upon quoted market prices for contracts with similar maturities, was a liability of $1.6 million at June 30, 2004 and an asset of $10.4 million at September 30, 2003. As permitted by SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), the Company has designated the Swap as a fair value hedge. Accordingly, the fair value of the Swap was recorded in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2004 and in other assets at September 30, 2003, and the carrying value of the underlying debt was decreased to $348.4 million at June 30, 2004 and increased to $360.4 million at September 30, 2003 in accordance with SFAS 133.

8


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

8.   Retirement Benefits
 
    The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in millions):

                                 
    Pension Benefits
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Service cost
  $ 15.1     $ 12.5     $ 45.3     $ 37.7  
Interest cost
    27.4       25.5       82.0       76.5  
Expected return on plan assets
    (30.2 )     (28.9 )     (89.3 )     (86.7 )
Amortization:
                               
Prior service cost
    0.4       0.3       1.3       1.1  
Net transition asset
    (0.5 )     (0.6 )     (1.6 )     (1.8 )
Net actuarial loss
    3.7       1.5       11.0       4.5  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 15.9     $ 10.3     $ 48.7     $ 31.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                 
    Other Postretirement Benefits
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Service cost
  $ 1.5     $ 1.9     $ 4.4     $ 4.9  
Interest cost
    4.9       6.5       14.9       18.3  
Amortization:
                               
Prior service cost
    (3.5 )     (2.4 )     (10.4 )     (8.6 )
Net actuarial loss
    2.9       3.6       8.6       9.6  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 5.8     $ 9.6     $ 17.5     $ 24.2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     In the first nine months of 2004, the Company made voluntary contributions of $125 million to its U.S. qualified pension plan trust. In the first nine months of 2003, the Company made a voluntary contribution of $50 million to its U.S. qualified pension plan trust.

9. Comprehensive Income

     Comprehensive income consisted of the following (in millions):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net income
  $ 126.4     $ 128.1     $ 266.9     $ 218.8  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Currency translation adjustments
    0.1       25.6       23.4       54.1  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
    5.5       (9.3 )     15.0       (18.4 )
Reclassification adjustment for loss on securities
    0.8             0.8        
Other
          (0.6 )     (1.9 )     (0.9 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Other comprehensive income
    6.4       15.7       37.3       34.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Comprehensive income
  $ 132.8     $ 143.8     $ 304.2     $ 253.6  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

9


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

10. Related Party Transactions

     The Company owns 50 percent of Rockwell Scientific Company LLC (RSC). This ownership interest is accounted for using the equity method. The Company’s investment in RSC of $55.8 million at June 30, 2004 and $53.9 million at September 30, 2003 is included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     The Company has an agreement with RSC pursuant to which RSC performs research and development services for the Company through 2004. The Company is obligated to pay a minimum of $3 million for such services in 2004 unless certain performance metrics are achieved causing the minimum to increase to $4 million. The Company incurred $0.8 million in each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and $2.1 million in each of the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 for research and development services performed by RSC. At June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, the amounts due to RSC for research and development services and from RSC for cost sharing arrangements were not significant.

     The Company shares equally with Rockwell Collins, Inc., which owns 50 percent of RSC, in providing a $4 million line of credit to RSC which bears interest at the greater of the Company’s or Rockwell Collins, Inc.’s commercial paper borrowing rate. At June 30, 2004, there were outstanding borrowings of $3.0 million on the line of credit, of which the Company funded $1.5 million. There were no borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2003. In addition, the Company and Rockwell Collins, Inc. each guarantees one-half of a lease agreement for one of RSC’s facilities. The total future minimum lease payments under the lease are approximately $5.6 million. The lease agreement has a term which ends in December 2011.

     The Company owns 25 percent of CoLinx, LLC (CoLinx), a company that provides logistics and e-commerce services. This ownership interest is accounted for using the equity method. The Company paid CoLinx $5.0 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 and $13.3 million in the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004, and $4.1 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2003 and $11.6 million in the nine-month period ended June 30, 2003, primarily for logistics services. In addition, CoLinx paid the Company $0.7 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2004 and $2.0 million in the nine-month period ended June 30, 2004, and $0.6 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2003 and $2.0 million in the nine-month period ended June 30, 2003, for the use of facilities owned by the Company and other services. The amounts due to and from CoLinx at June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003 were not significant.

11. Income Taxes

     In connection with the divestiture of certain businesses in prior years, the Company has retained tax liabilities and the rights to tax refunds for periods prior to the respective divestitures. As a result, from time to time, the Company may receive refunds or may be required to make payments related to tax matters associated with these divested businesses. Amounts recorded for these matters, if any, are based on estimates. Such estimates are reviewed and revised as appropriate to take into account all information available to the Company. Actual amounts received or paid, if any, could differ materially from those estimates which would result in an adjustment to results of operations in the period the refunds are received or payments are made.

     The Company recognized in earnings in the third quarter of 2003 a net tax benefit of $69.4 million related to a U.S. research and experimentation credit refund claim (Claim) for the years 1997 through 2001. The federal portion of the Claim is subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on Taxation of the United States Congress and the related state tax benefits are subject to approval by the various state tax authorities. The majority of the proceeds from the Claim are expected to be received, or netted against any liability arising from the audit, upon the conclusion of the current federal audit cycle which is expected in fiscal 2005. The future annual income tax benefit related to additional research and experimentation expenditures is not expected to be significant.

     The Company recognized a tax benefit of $34.5 million ($0.18 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2004 resulting from the resolution of certain tax matters, in part related to former businesses. A majority of the benefits recognized relate to non-U.S. tax matters in addition to an agreement with a taxing authority related to the treatment of an investment.

10


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

11. Income Taxes — (Continued)

     The Company recognized in earnings in the first quarter of 2004 a net tax benefit of $4.3 million related to additional state tax benefits associated with the U.S research and experimentation tax credit refund claim in 2003.

12. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

     Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of its business, including those pertaining to product liability, intellectual property, environmental, safety and health, employment and contract matters. Although the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and some lawsuits, claims, or proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably to the Company, management believes the disposition of matters which are pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

     The Company has, from time to time, divested certain of its businesses. In connection with such divestitures, there may be lawsuits, claims and proceedings instituted or asserted against the Company related to the period the businesses were owned by the Company. In addition, the Company has guaranteed performance and payment under certain contracts of divested businesses, including a $60 million lease obligation of the Company’s former semiconductor systems business, now Conexant Systems, Inc. (Conexant). The lease obligation of Conexant is secured by real property subject to the lease and is within a range of estimated fair values of the real property. In consideration for this guarantee, the Company received $250,000 per quarter from Conexant through December 31, 2003 and receives $500,000 per quarter from Conexant through December 31, 2004 unless the Company is released from the guarantee prior thereto. Conexant is contractually obligated to take efforts necessary to release the Company from the guarantee by December 31, 2004. Management believes that any judgments against the Company related to such matters or claims pursuant to the guarantees would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

13. Discontinued Operations

     Discontinued operations in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 included income of $7.6 million ($4.6 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share) recorded in the first quarter as a result of a final judgment in a defense claim legal proceeding related to the Company’s former operation of the Rocky Flats facility of the Department of Energy. This amount is in addition to income of $7.3 million ($4.4 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share) recognized in the fourth quarter of 2003 related to the Rocky Flats defense claim legal proceeding. In March 2004, the Company received $15.1 million related to this matter. This amount is displayed, net of the related tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations.

11


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

14. Segment Information

     The sales and results of operations of the Company’s segments are summarized as follows (in millions):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Sales
                               
Control Systems
  $ 940.8     $ 830.9     $ 2,685.3     $ 2,461.0  
Power Systems
    206.3       185.3       557.8       540.4  
FirstPoint Contact
    28.5       28.6       87.4       78.8  
Intersegment sales
    (12.1 )     (11.8 )     (38.4 )     (34.2 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 1,163.5     $ 1,033.0     $ 3,292.1     $ 3,046.0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Segment Operating Earnings
               
Control Systems
  $ 143.8     $ 102.7     $ 376.3     $ 282.0  
Power Systems
    23.3       15.6       46.2       39.2  
FirstPoint Contact
    1.4       0.5       7.9       0.1  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
    168.5       118.8       430.4       321.3  
Purchase accounting amortization
    (6.8 )     (6.8 )     (20.5 )     (20.1 )
General corporate — net
    (20.4 )     (16.5 )     (59.8 )     (42.8 )
Loss on disposition of a business
                      (8.4 )
Interest expense
    (10.1 )     (11.6 )     (30.8 )     (41.4 )
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (4.8 )     44.2       (57.0 )     10.2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations
  $ 126.4     $ 128.1     $ 262.3     $ 218.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     Among other considerations, the Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based upon segment operating earnings before income taxes, interest expense, costs related to corporate offices, nonrecurring special charges, gains and losses from the disposition of businesses, earnings and losses from equity affiliates which are not considered part of the operations of a particular segment, and incremental acquisition related expenses resulting from purchase accounting adjustments such as intangible asset amortization, depreciation, inventory and purchased research and development charges.

12


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareowners of
Rockwell Automation, Inc.:

     We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Rockwell Automation, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2004, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, and of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

     We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

     Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

     We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareowners’ equity, cash flows, and comprehensive income for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated November 5, 2003, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2003 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 28, 2004

13


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

     Rockwell Automation, Inc. (the Company or Rockwell Automation) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions. The Company is organized based on products and services and has three operating segments: Control Systems, Power Systems and FirstPoint Contact. Control Systems is a supplier of industrial automation products, systems, software and services focused on helping customers control and improve manufacturing processes. Power Systems is a supplier of mechanical power transmission products and industrial motors and drives. FirstPoint Contact provides customer contact center solutions that support multiple channels (voice, e-mail, web, wireless) through open interaction infrastructure.

     Demand for the Company’s products is largely driven by trends in industrial spending. Sales are affected by the level of industrial production activity, customers’ new product introductions, upgrades and expansions of existing manufacturing facilities and the creation of new manufacturing facilities. Due to weak business conditions in recent years, especially in the manufacturing economy, manufacturers have been operating until recently at historically low levels of plant capacity utilization. Capacity utilization is an indication of plant operating activity. Generally there is a correlation between capacity utilization and the level of capital investment made in plants. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI), as published by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), is an indication of the level of manufacturing activity in the U.S. According to the ISM, a PMI measure above 50 indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding while a measure below 50 indicates that it is generally contracting. The table below depicts the trend for the indicated months since September 2002 in capacity utilization in the United States, as published by the Federal Reserve, and in the PMI.

                                                                                 
    Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   Jun.   Sep.   Dec.   Mar.   Apr.   May   Jun.
    2002
  2002
  2003
  2003
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2004
  2004
  2004
Capacity Utilization (percent)
    75.7       74.9       74.8       74.0       74.9       75.8       76.6       77.0       77.6       77.2  
PMI
    51.4       53.3       46.6       50.4       54.7       63.4       62.5       62.4       62.8       61.1  

     In the past, the Company’s results of operations have typically followed the trends in capacity utilization and the PMI. In the third quarter of 2004, the Company’s results reflected stronger customer demand and improving conditions across its markets.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The Company’s sales and operating earnings by segment, excluding intersegment sales, are summarized as follows (in millions):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Sales
                               
Control Systems
  $ 933.3     $ 824.1     $ 2,659.1     $ 2,441.6  
Power Systems
    201.7       180.4       545.8       525.8  
FirstPoint Contact
    28.5       28.5       87.2       78.6  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 1,163.5     $ 1,033.0     $ 3,292.1     $ 3,046.0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Segment Operating Earnings
                               
Control Systems
  $ 143.8     $ 102.7     $ 376.3     $ 282.0  
Power Systems
    23.3       15.6       46.2       39.2  
FirstPoint Contact
    1.4       0.5       7.9       0.1  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 168.5     $ 118.8     $ 430.4     $ 321.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     See Note 14 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the definition of segment operating earnings and reconciliation of segment operating earnings to income from continuing operations.

     The following discussion includes sales excluding the effect of currency translation as well as income excluding the effect of certain tax benefits, which are non-GAAP measures. See the “Supplemental Information” on page 20 for a reconciliation of reported sales to sales excluding the effect of currency translation in addition to a discussion of why management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors.

14


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

2004 Third Quarter Compared to 2003 Third Quarter

     Sales were $1,163.5 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 13 percent compared to $1,033.0 million in the third quarter of 2003, driven by double-digit growth at Control Systems and Power Systems. Revenue growth excluding the effect of currency translation was 11 percent. Segment operating earnings in the third quarter of 2004 were $168.5 million, an increase of 42 percent compared to $118.8 million in the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $126.4 million compared to $128.1 million for the third quarter of 2003. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were $0.66, compared to $0.67 in the third quarter of 2003. Included in net income for the third quarter of 2004 were tax benefits of $34.5 million, or $0.18 per diluted share. Included in net income for the third quarter of 2003 was a net tax benefit of $69.4 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. See “Income Taxes” on page 17 for a discussion of these tax benefits.

Control Systems

     Control Systems sales in the third quarter of 2004 were $933.3 million, an increase of 13 percent compared to sales of $824.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. Two percentage points of the growth was due to the effect of currency translation. The increase in sales was driven by strong performance across nearly all businesses. In particular, adoption of the Logix integrated architecture platform accelerated in the quarter, resulting in revenue growth for this business of approximately 44 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2003. The Logix platform business now represents nearly 10 percent of Control Systems sales. From a regional perspective, U.S. sales increased approximately 14 percent from last year’s third quarter, while sales outside of the U.S. increased approximately 13 percent (8 percent excluding currency translation).

     Segment operating earnings were $143.8 million in the 2004 third quarter, an increase of 40 percent compared to $102.7 million in the 2003 third quarter due to higher volume, productivity improvements and favorable product mix. Control Systems return on sales for the third quarter of 2004 was 15.4 percent compared to 12.5 percent for the third quarter of 2003.

Power Systems

     Power Systems sales in the third quarter of 2004 were $201.7 million, an increase of 12 percent compared to $180.4 million in the 2003 third quarter. Sales in the Dodge® mechanical business increased approximately 17 percent and sales in the Reliance® electrical business increased approximately 6 percent. Segment operating earnings were $23.3 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to $15.6 million in the third quarter of 2003. Profitability improvement was driven by higher volume, the benefits of cost reduction actions and productivity improvements, and price increases. These more than offset higher raw material prices and expenses related to cost reduction actions taken during the third quarter. Power Systems return on sales for the third quarter of 2004 was 11.6 percent compared to 8.6 percent for the third quarter of 2003.

FirstPoint Contact

     FirstPoint Contact sales were $28.5 million in the third quarter of 2004 and 2003. Segment operating earnings were $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2003.

General Corporate – Net

     General corporate expenses were $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to $16.5 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase is primarily the result of charges due to higher estimated costs for environmental remediation at two legacy sites.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense was $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to $11.6 million in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease was in part the result of the retirement at maturity of the $150 million principal amount of 6.80% notes in April 2003.

15


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003

     Sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $3,292.1 million, an increase of 8 percent compared to $3,046.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. Four percentage points of the growth was due to the effect of currency translation. Segment operating earnings in the first nine months of 2004 were $430.4 million, an increase of 34 percent compared to $321.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. Net income in the first nine months of 2004 was $266.9 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, compared to net income of $218.8 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2003. Included in net income for the first nine months of 2004 were tax benefits of $38.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, and income of $7.6 million ($4.6 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share), reflected in discontinued operations, from a final judgment in a legal proceeding related to the Company’s former operation of the Rocky Flats facility of the Department of Energy. Included in net income for the first nine months of 2003 was a net tax benefit of $69.4 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. See “Income Taxes” on page 17 for discussion of these tax benefits.

Control Systems

     Control Systems sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $2,659.1 million, an increase of 9 percent compared to sales of $2,441.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. Four percentage points of the growth was due to the effect of currency translation. From a regional perspective, sales outside of the U.S. increased approximately 14 percent (approximately 3 percent excluding currency translation) and U.S. sales increased approximately 5 percent. The Logix platform business increased approximately 30 percent compared to the first nine months of 2003.

     Segment operating earnings were $376.3 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 33 percent compared to $282.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase was due to favorable product mix, productivity improvements and higher volume. Control Systems return on sales for the first nine months of 2004 was 14.2 percent compared to 11.5 percent in the first nine months of 2003.

Power Systems

     Power Systems sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $545.8 million compared to $525.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. Sales in the Dodge® mechanical business increased approximately 5 percent and sales in the Reliance® electrical business increased approximately 3 percent. Segment operating earnings in the first nine months of 2004 were $46.2 million compared to $39.2 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in segment operating earnings was primarily due to higher volume, productivity improvements and cost reduction actions. Power Systems return on sales for the first nine months of 2004 was 8.5 percent compared to 7.5 percent in the first nine months of 2003.

FirstPoint Contact

     FirstPoint Contact sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $87.2 million compared to $78.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in sales is primarily the result of the shipment of large projects in the second quarter of 2004. Segment operating earnings in the first nine months of 2004 were $7.9 million compared to $0.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. The higher segment operating earnings in 2004 are primarily due to higher volume in the second quarter of 2004.

General Corporate – Net

     General corporate expenses were $59.8 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $42.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase is in part the result of charges due to higher estimated costs for environmental remediation at several legacy sites, costs associated with corporate staff changes and a contribution to the Company’s charitable corporation.

16


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense was $30.8 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $41.4 million in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease was the result of the retirement at maturity of the $150 million principal amount of 6.80% notes in April 2003 and the benefit of an interest rate swap (see Note 7 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income Taxes

     Income taxes for the first nine months of 2004 included a benefit of $34.5 million recorded in the third quarter primarily resulting from the resolution of certain tax matters, in part related to former businesses, and a net benefit of $4.3 million recorded in the first quarter related to additional state tax benefits associated with a previously reported U.S. research and experimentation credit refund claim in 2003. Income taxes for the first nine months of 2003 included a net benefit of $69.4 million related to the settlement of a U.S. research and experimentation credit refund claim. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 is expected to be 30 percent, excluding the separately-reported tax items described above. (See Note 11 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.)

     In connection with the divestiture of certain businesses in prior years, the Company has retained tax liabilities and the rights to tax refunds for periods prior to the respective divestitures. As a result, from time to time, the Company may receive refunds or may be required to make payments related to tax matters associated with these divested businesses. Amounts recorded for these matters, if any, are based on estimates. Such estimates are reviewed and revised as appropriate to take into account all information available to the Company. Actual amounts received or paid, if any, could differ materially from those estimates which would result in an adjustment to results of operations in the period the refunds are received or payments are made.

Discontinued Operations

     See Note 13 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements regarding discontinued operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     See Note 2 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Information with respect to the Company’s critical accounting policies which the Company believes could have the most significant effect on the Company’s reported results and require subjective or complex judgments by management is contained on pages 14-17 in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. Management believes that at June 30, 2004, there has been no material change to this information, other than regarding a final judgment in a legal proceeding described in Note 13 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In the first nine months of 2004, charges were taken due to higher estimated costs for environmental remediation at several legacy sites, the majority of which related to environmental remediation near the Russellville, Kentucky facility of the Company’s former Measurement and Flow Control business.

Business Outlook

     Management now expects to exceed the previous full-year guidance for diluted EPS, revenue growth and free cash flow. Full-year diluted EPS from continuing operations is now expected to be approximately $1.65, excluding $0.20 of tax benefits recorded in the first nine months of the year. This compares to previous guidance of $1.55 to $1.60, excluding the tax benefits recorded in the first quarter. Revenue growth is now expected to be 6 percent to 7 percent, excluding the effect of currency translation, compared to previous guidance of 4 percent to 6 percent. Free cash flow is now expected to be approximately $400 million compared to previous guidance of $300 million to $350 million.

17


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following tables (in millions):

                 
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
    2004
  2003
Cash provided by (used for):
               
Operating activities
  $ 374.5     $ 277.7  
Investing activities
    (57.1 )     (103.4 )
Financing activities
    (220.6 )     (298.6 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (2.7 )     (39.0 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash provided by (used for) continuing operations
  $ 94.1     $ (163.3 )
 
   
 
     
 
 

     The following table summarizes free cash flow for the Company (in millions):

                 
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 374.5     $ 277.7  
Capital expenditures
    (59.8 )     (70.9 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Free cash flow
  $ 314.7     $ 206.8  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     The Company’s definition of free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, takes into consideration capital investment required to maintain the operations of the Company and execute its strategy. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s ability to generate cash from business operations that is available for acquisitions and other investments, service of debt principal, dividends and share repurchases. Management uses free cash flow as one measure to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Company. The Company’s definition of free cash flow may be different from definitions used by other companies.

     Free cash flow was $314.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $206.8 million in the same period of 2003. The strong free cash flow performance in the first nine months of 2004 was the result of continued focus on cash generation, in particular capital spending discipline. The Company made voluntary contributions to its U.S. qualified pension plan trust during the first nine months of 2004 of $125 million, compared to a $50 million contribution in the first nine months of 2003. The Company made $10 million of U.S. federal estimated tax payments in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $43 million of such estimated payments in the first nine months of 2003. The Company also received net refunds from various taxing authorities of approximately $30 million in the first nine months of 2004, which further contributed to the increase in free cash flow compared to last year. Free cash flow for the first nine months of 2004 is not necessarily indicative of the amount for the full year as a result of the timing of certain payments and receipts which do not occur evenly throughout the year.

     The Company elects to utilize commercial paper markets as its principal source of short-term financing. During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company had average borrowings of $2.4 million under its commercial paper program compared to average borrowings of $11.7 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

     In January 2004, the Company’s $8.4 million of industrial development revenue bonds were retired prior to maturity using cash on hand.

     The Company repurchased approximately 5.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $174.0 million in the first nine months of 2004. The Company repurchased approximately 4.4 million shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $94.9 million in the first nine months of 2003. At June 30, 2004, the Company had approximately $252.9 million remaining for stock repurchases under existing board authorizations.

18


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

FINANCIAL CONDITION (Continued)

     Future significant uses of cash are expected to include capital expenditures, dividends to shareowners, acquisitions, repurchases of common stock in connection with the Company’s stock repurchase program and may include contributions to the Company’s pension plans. Capital expenditures in 2004 are expected to be consistent with 2003. It is expected that each of these future uses of cash will be funded by existing cash, cash generated by operating activities and commercial paper borrowings, a new issue of debt or issuance of other securities.

     In addition to cash generated by operating activities, the Company has access to existing financing sources, including the public debt markets and unsecured credit facilities with various banks. The Company’s total debt to total capital ratio was 31.0 percent at June 30, 2004 compared to 32.7 percent at September 30, 2003.

     As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $675 million of unsecured committed credit facilities available to support its commercial paper borrowings, with $337.5 million expiring in October 2004 and $337.5 million expiring in October 2005. The Company anticipates renewing the portion of its unsecured committed credit facilities expiring in October 2004 prior to expiration. Outstanding commercial paper balances, if any, reduce the amount of available borrowings under the unsecured committed credit facilities. The terms of the credit facilities contain a covenant under which the Company would be in default if the Company’s total debt to total capital ratio were to exceed 60 percent.

     The following is a summary of the Company’s credit ratings as of June 30, 2004:

                     
        Short-Term
  Long-Term
Credit Rating Agency
      Rating
  Outlook
  Rating
  Outlook
Standard & Poor’s
      A-1   Negative   A   Negative
Moody’s
      P-2   Stable   A3   Negative
Fitch Ratings
      F1   Stable   A   Stable

     Should the Company’s access to the commercial paper market be adversely affected due to a change in market conditions or otherwise, the Company would expect to rely on a combination of available cash and the unsecured committed credit facilities to provide short-term funding. In such event, the cost of borrowings under the unsecured committed credit facilities could be higher than the cost of commercial paper borrowings.

ENVIRONMENTAL

     Information with respect to the effect on the Company and its manufacturing operations of compliance with environmental protection requirements and resolution of environmental claims is contained on page 56 in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. Management believes that at June 30, 2004, there has been no material change to this information. In the first nine months of 2004, charges were taken due to higher estimated costs for environmental remediation as described in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” on page 17.

19


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Effect of Currency Translation on Sales

     Sales of subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are translated using exchange rates effective during the respective period. Therefore, reported sales are affected by changes in currency rates, which are outside of the control of management. Management believes that sales excluding the effect of currency translation, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, provides useful information to investors because it reflects regional performance from the Company’s activities without the effect of changes in currency rates. Management uses sales excluding currency translation to monitor and evaluate the Company’s regional performance. The effect of currency translation is determined by translating the respective period sales using the same exchange rates as were in effect the preceding year.

     The following is a reconciliation of reported sales to sales excluding the effect of currency translation for the Company and the Control Systems segment (in millions):

Company

                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30, 2004
  June 30, 2004
                    Sales                   Sales
                    Excluding                   Excluding
            Currency   Currency           Currency   Currency
    Sales
  Translation
  Translation
  Sales
  Translation
  Translation
United States
  $ 735.5     $     $ 735.5     $ 2,050.2     $     $ 2,050.2  
Canada
    81.9       (2.8 )     79.1       245.7       (26.2 )     219.5  
Europe, Middle East, Africa
    207.1       (12.6 )     194.5       592.9       (69.1 )     523.8  
Asia-Pacific
    101.7       (4.8 )     96.9       290.1       (18.5 )     271.6  
Latin America
    37.3       2.5       39.8       113.2             113.2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Sales
  $ 1,163.5     $ (17.7 )   $ 1,145.8     $ 3,292.1     $ (113.8 )   $ 3,178.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Control Systems

                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30, 2004
  June 30, 2004
                    Sales                   Sales
                    Excluding                   Excluding
            Currency   Currency           Currency   Currency
    Sales
  Translation
  Translation
  Sales
  Translation
  Translation
United States
  $ 532.8     $     $ 532.8     $ 1,492.4     $     $ 1,492.4  
Canada
    72.2       (2.3 )     69.9       218.0       (23.2 )     194.8  
Europe, Middle East, Africa
    197.1       (11.6 )     185.5       562.5       (65.3 )     497.2  
Asia-Pacific
    96.9       (4.8 )     92.1       281.2       (18.2 )     263.0  
Latin America
    34.3       2.2       36.5       105.0       (0.6 )     104.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Control Systems Sales
  $ 933.3     $ (16.5 )   $ 916.8     $ 2,659.1     $ (107.3 )   $ 2,551.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Income Excluding Tax Benefits

     The forward looking statements regarding the Company’s earnings per share for fiscal 2004 exclude $38.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, related to tax benefits described in “Income Taxes” on page 17. Management believes that income excluding such income tax benefits is useful to investors because the benefits are not indicative of the magnitude of tax benefits the Company may recognize in the future. Management uses income excluding such income tax benefits to monitor performance of the Company.

20


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

     This Quarterly Report contains statements (including certain projections and business trends) accompanied by such phrases as “believes”, “estimates”, “expect(s)”, “anticipates”, “will”, “intends” and other similar expressions, that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic and political changes in international markets where the Company competes, such as currency exchange rates, inflation rates, recession, foreign ownership restrictions and other external factors over which the Company has no control; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products, including levels of capital spending in industrial markets; successful development of advanced technologies; the availability and effectiveness of the Company’s information technology systems; competitive product and pricing pressures; future terrorist attacks; epidemics; intellectual property infringement claims by others and the ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

21


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     Information with respect to the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency risk is contained on pages 25 and 26 in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. Management believes that at June 30, 2004, there has been no material change to this information.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness, as of June 30, 2004, of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the quarter ended June 30, 2004 to timely alert them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act filings.

     In fiscal 2003, as a complement to its existing overall program of internal control, the Company initiated a company-wide review of its internal control over financial reporting as part of the process of preparing for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. As a result of the review, the Company has made numerous improvements to the design and effectiveness of its internal controls through the quarter ended June 30, 2004, especially its internal controls related to its information technology systems. Some of these changes could be deemed to have materially improved the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company anticipates that improvements will continue to be made.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     Information with respect to the Company’s legal proceedings is contained on pages 6-9 in Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 and on pages 21-23 in Item 1, Legal Proceedings, of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Management believes that at June 30, 2004, there has been no material change to this information, except that the section entitled “Solaia Technology LLC” is updated in its entirety as follows:

     Solaia Technology LLC. The Company is a party in several suits in which Solaia Technology LLC is adverse. Solaia is a single-purpose entity formed to license US Patent No. 5,038,318 (the ‘318 patent). Solaia acquired the ‘318 patent from Schneider Automation, Inc., a competitor of the Company in the field of factory automation. Schneider has retained certain interests in the ‘318 patent, including a share in Solaia’s licensing income. Solaia has asserted that the ‘318 patent covers communication systems used throughout most modern factories in the United States.

     Solaia has issued several hundred demand letters to a wide range of factory owners and operators, and has filed a series of lawsuits against over 40 companies. A significant number of the companies sued by Solaia have chosen to settle the claims for amounts that the Company believes are notably smaller than the likely legal costs of successfully defending Solaia’s claims in court.

22


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings — (Continued)

     In a suit filed by Solaia on July 2, 2002 in Chicago, Solaia Technology LLC v. ArvinMeritor, Inc., et al. (02C-4704, N.D. Ill.) (Chicago patent suit), Solaia accused sixteen companies of infringing the ‘318 patent. The Company made arrangements with ArvinMeritor, which now owns and operates the Company’s former automotive business, to undertake ArvinMeritor’s defense of Solaia’s patent claims to assure that Solaia’s infringement claim against ArvinMeritor could be finally and actually adjudicated in the Chicago patent suit and thereby remove the continuing threat of additional lawsuits from Solaia against U.S. manufacturers. In that case, Solaia responded on May 12, 2003 by suing the Company for direct patent infringement, demanding material monetary damages. The Company believes that Solaia’s claim against it in the Chicago patent suit is wholly without merit and baseless.

     Prior to the Chicago patent suit the Company sought to protect its customers from Solaia’s claims, which the Company believes to be altogether without merit and baseless. The Company brought an action in Milwaukee on December 10, 2002 against Solaia and others, Rockwell Automation, Inc., et al. v. Schneider Automation, Inc., et al (02-CV-1195 E.D. Wis.), asserting violations of federal antitrust and unfair competition laws and other state laws (the Milwaukee action). The Company is seeking monetary damages and other relief arising from the infringement claims Solaia has made against the Company’s customers, which the Company believes to be wholly without merit and baseless.

     In January 2003, Solaia and its law firm, Niro, Scavone, Haller & Niro, filed a lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois against the Company and several others, Solaia Technology LLC v. Rockwell Automation, Inc., et al., Case No. 03-CV-566, alleging federal antitrust and unfair competition violations, defamation and other claims. The Company denies any liability under those claims. The Chicago Court has transferred Solaia’s antitrust case against the Company to Milwaukee where it has been consolidated with the Milwaukee action.

     More recently, in December 2003, Solaia filed a state court action in Cook County, Illinois (03 L 15997) alleging tortious interference claims against the Company and one of its officers. The Cook County state court action was removed to federal court in Chicago. In April 2004, the Chicago Court transferred this action to federal court in Milwaukee (04-CV-364, E.D. Wis.) where it has been consolidated with the Milwaukee action.

     The Court in Milwaukee has stayed all of the cases consolidated with the Milwaukee action pending the outcome of the Chicago patent suit.

23


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     The table below sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of shares of Company common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2004:

                                 
                    Total Number of   Maximum Number
                    Shares   (or Approximate
                    Purchased as   Dollar Value) of
    Total           Part of Publicly   Shares that May Yet
    Number of   Average   Announced   Be Purchased
    Shares   Price Paid   Plans or   Under the Plans or
Period
  Purchased
  per Share (2)
  Programs (1)
  Programs (1)
April 1 - 30, 2004
    735,000     $ 34.5596       735,000     $ 301,600,000  
May 1 - 31, 2004
    700,000     $ 32.8882       700,000     $ 278,600,000  
June 1 - 30, 2004
    735,000     $ 34.9200       735,000     $ 252,900,000  
 
   
 
             
 
         
Total
    2,170,000     $ 34.1475       2,170,000     $ 252,900,000  
 
   
 
             
 
         


(1)   On December 4, 1996, the Company announced a $1 billion share repurchase program that had been approved by its Board of Directors. From time to time thereafter, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the periodic purchase of additional shares of Company common stock under the program. As of June 30, 2004, approximately $252.9 million was available for share repurchases under the program. The program has no expiration date.
 
(2)   Average price paid per share includes brokerage commissions.

24


 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  (a)   Exhibits:

             
  *Exhibit 10.1   -   Copy of Restricted Stock Agreement dated May 1, 2004 between the Company and Douglas M. Hagerman.
 
           
  *Exhibit 10.2   -   Form of Change of Control Agreement dated as of May 1, 2004 between the Company and each of James V. Gelly and Douglas M. Hagerman.
 
           
  *Exhibit 10.3   -   Copy of Change of Control Agreement dated as of June 2, 2004 between the Company and Keith D. Nosbusch.
 
           
  *Exhibit 10.4   -   Agreement dated as of May 27, 2004 between the Company and William J. Calise, Jr.
 
           
  *Exhibit 10.5   -   Amendments to Restricted Stock Agreements with William H. Gray, III, William T. McCormick, Jr., Joseph F. Toot, Jr. and Don H. Davis, Jr.
 
           
  Exhibit 12   -   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004.
 
           
  Exhibit 15   -   Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding Unaudited Financial Information.
 
           
  Exhibit 31.1   -   Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
           
  Exhibit 31.2   -   Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
           
  Exhibit 32.1   -   Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
           
  Exhibit 32.2   -   Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 

*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended June 30, 2004:

     The Company furnished a current report on Form 8-K dated April 27, 2004, with respect to announcing financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (Item 12).

25


 

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

             
        ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
(Registrant)
 
           
Date:
  July 28, 2004
  By   /s/ J. V. Gelly
J. V. Gelly
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
           
Date:
  July 28, 2004
  By   /s/ D. M. Dorgan
D. M. Dorgan
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

26


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit    
No.
  Exhibit
10.1
  Copy of Restricted Stock Agreement dated May 1, 2004 between the Company and Douglas M. Hagerman.
10.2
  Form of Change of Control Agreement dated as of May 1, 2004 between the Company and each of James V. Gelly and Douglas M. Hagerman.
10.3
  Copy of Change of Control Agreement dated as of June 2, 2004 between the Company and Keith D. Nosbusch.
10.4
  Agreement dated as of May 27, 2004 between the Company and William J. Calise, Jr.
10.5
  Amendments to Restricted Stock Agreements with William H. Gray, III, William T. McCormick, Jr., Joseph F. Toot, Jr. and Don H. Davis, Jr.
12
  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004.
15
  Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding Unaudited Financial Information.
31.1
  Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2
  Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1
  Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
  Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.