MILWAUKEE-BASED Rockwell Automation Inc., a $5 billion global provider of industrial automation power, control and information systems and services, is making a substantial new investment in Singapore, halfway around the world from its corporate headquarters in the United States.

Rockwell Automation's Asia Pacific Business Center in Singapore began operations in May 2006, as plans announced at the end of March called for. The center is to be fully operational by 2008, and Rockwell Automation expects to hire about 400 employees for R&D, engineering, marketing and manufacturing by 2008.

"This center will be the world headquarters for several business segments that are in demand in Asia and highly strategic to the company's global growth," said Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice president for Rockwell Automation's automation control and information group, as plans for the center were announced on March 30. "With its ideal location and outstanding logistics capability, this center expands our automation controls development footprint into one of the world's largest growth areas," he stated.