Rockwell Automation has opened a Customer Experience Centre in Bologna aimed at supporting machine builders and manufacturers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The facility is the company’s primary hub for the region, joining existing centres in Milwaukee and Singapore.

The centre provides technical resources for industries including packaging, material handling, and heavy industry. It is designed to assist original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in testing technologies and addressing supply chain constraints identified in recent industry research.

Technical capabilities at the Bologna site include:

• Motion control and mechatronics systems
• Artificial intelligence and dynamic digital twin applications
• Independent carriage technology
• Digital strategy planning and specialised technical training

Paolo Butti, regional president of global industry accounts at Rockwell Automation, said the facility was established to help manufacturers manage a “storm” of technology, skills, and supply chain challenges. The centre allows OEMs to test solutions in simulated real-world scenarios before full-scale deployment.

The opening follows a Rockwell survey of 500 global industry leaders, which found that manufacturers are increasingly prioritising digital transformation to remain competitive. The company, headquartered in Milwaukee, employs approximately 26,000 people and operates in more than 100 countries.