Adding to its package of industrial software products for manufacturing customers, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, has agreed to acquire Propack Data GmbH, a leader of manufacturing information systems for the pharmaceutical and other regulated industries headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The transaction is expected to close in the first calendar quarter. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Propack Data has achieved worldwide market leadership with their software solutions, serving nine of the world's top 10 pharmaceutical manufacturers,” said Don H. Davis, chairman and CEO Rockwell Automation. “This strategic acquisition broadens the position of our Global Manufacturing Solutions business to that of a preferred partner in the pharmaceuticals market. It also expands our reach into the $50 billion manufacturing information market serving other industries such as food and beverage, life sciences and cosmetics.”

Propack Data's PMX Enterprise Production Management solutions, based on open standards and designed to integrate seamlessly with clients' existing software, span the entire manufacturing process. These range from drug development, to clinical trials manufacturing, to pilot facilities, to full-scale production, and from ERP order flow handling to electronic batch recording.

“Propack Data's breadth of software products and ease of integration provides customers with a total product life cycle solution,” said Ronald F. Wichter, senior vice president of Rockwell Automation's Global Manufacturing Solutions. “This acquisition allows us to significantly enhance our clients' ability to optimize manufacturing, improve plant uptime, reduce time to market and drive regulatory compliance. This will also enable our customers to achieve the goal of shop floor to top floor connectivity,” Wichter continued.

“Our mission, to provide our clients with a sizeable competitive advantage through innovative technologies, winning strategies, and creative people, fits perfectly with Rockwell Automation's Global Manufacturing Solutions business,” said Karl G. Linder, president and CEO, Propack Data GmbH. “Combining Propack Data's strong domain expertise and Rockwell Automation's broad capabilities provides an unmatched global presence, complete solutions and full-service capabilities unparalleled in the industry. These are key elements that help manufacturers streamline their operations and improve efficiency while meeting regulatory requirements of pharmaceutical and other industries,” he added.

As part of the Process Solutions business, Propack Data will become the Rockwell Automation Global Manufacturing Solutions Competency Center for the worldwide pharmaceutical industry. The company currently employs approximately 230 people. In addition to its German headquarters, Propack Data has offices in France, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.