Company profile
Allen-Bradley
Allen-Bradley is the automation hardware brand of Rockwell Automation, Inc., a NYSE-listed company headquartered at 1201 South Second Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, telephone +1 414 382 2000. Its motion range is the Kinetix family of servo drives and motors; the UK company is Rockwell Automation Ltd in Milton Keynes.
| Legal name | Rockwell Automation, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder | Dr. Stanton Allen and Lynde Bradley |
| Owner / parent | Rockwell Automation, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States |
| Employees | 26,000 (Rockwell Automation, 30 September 2025) |
| Stock listing | NYSE: ROK |
| Website | rockwellautomation.com |
Allen-Bradley contact details
Rockwell Automation headquarters
1201 South Second StreetMilwaukee, Wisconsin 53204
United States
Telephone +1 414 382 2000
Website rockwellautomation.com
Rockwell Automation Ltd (UK headquarters)
Pitfield, Kiln FarmMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK11 3DR
United Kingdom
Web rockwellautomation.com/en-gb/company/about-us/contact-us.html
Contact details as published by Rockwell Automation, checked 2026-10-30. Specify Motion is not affiliated with Rockwell Automation.
Allen-Bradley product lines
| Kinetix 5700 | Multi-axis EtherNet/IP servo drive platform on a shared DC bus |
|---|---|
| Kinetix 5500 | EtherNet/IP servo drives for small multi-axis systems with Kinetix VP motors |
| Kinetix 5100 and 5300 | Compact single-axis servo drives paired with Kinetix TLP motors |
| Kinetix VP servo motors | VPL, VPC, VPF, VPH and VPS low-inertia, continuous-duty, food-grade, hygienic and stainless motors |
| Kinetix MP-Series servo motors | MPL, MPM, MPF and MPS low- and medium-inertia, food-grade and stainless motors |
| Kinetix TL, TLY and TLP servo motors | Compact and general-purpose servo motors for lower-power axes |
| Legacy Kinetix and Ultra3000 drives | Kinetix 300, 350, 2000, 6000, 6200, 6500, 7000 and Ultra3000, now discontinued |
Who Allen-Bradley is
Allen-Bradley is the hardware brand of Rockwell Automation, Inc., the US industrial automation company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rockwell sells its automation hardware under the Allen-Bradley name, and for motion engineers that means the Kinetix family of servo drives and servo motors, which are designed to run under Rockwell’s Logix controllers. Allen-Bradley and Kinetix are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Rockwell Automation reported sales of $8,342 million for fiscal 2025 and 26,000 employees at 30 September 2025. It reports three operating segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services.
History and ownership
The business began in 1903, when Dr. Stanton Allen and Lynde Bradley formed the Compression Rheostat Company. It was re-incorporated as the Allen-Bradley Company in 1909. The company’s own history credits Allen-Bradley with pioneering the programmable logic controller in 1970 and launching the Data Highway industrial network in 1979.
In 1985 Rockwell International bought the then privately owned Allen-Bradley Company for $1.651 billion. A 1994 merger with ICOM created Rockwell Software. The present company was incorporated in Delaware in a tax-free reorganisation completed in December 1996, and it was officially renamed Rockwell Automation in 2001. Allen-Bradley has remained the product brand throughout.
Rockwell Automation is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ROK. It has no parent group; Allen-Bradley is its brand rather than a separate subsidiary.
Motion portfolio
Servo drives
The current drive line-up runs from the Kinetix 5100, a single-axis drive with built-in indexing for standalone, Micro800 or Logix machines, and the compact Kinetix 5300 for lower axis-count Logix machines, to the Kinetix 5500 with shared AC/DC bus for small multi-axis systems and the Kinetix 5700, Rockwell’s main multi-axis platform with single- and dual-axis inverters on a DC bus and integrated safety.
Servo motors
Kinetix VP motors pair with the 5500 and 5700 drives and use single-cable digital feedback: the low-inertia VPL, continuous-duty VPC, food-grade VPF, hygienic VPH with IP69K washdown protection and stainless VPS. The MP-Series covers the low-inertia MPL, medium-inertia MPM, food-grade MPF and stainless MPS. Smaller axes use the compact TL and TLY motors or the TLP range, from 50 W to 15 kW, designed for the Kinetix 5100 and 5300.
Discontinued drives
Many installed machines still run older Allen-Bradley drives that Rockwell now lists as discontinued: the Kinetix 300, Kinetix 350, Kinetix 2000, SERCOS-based Kinetix 6000 and Kinetix 6200, the Kinetix 6500 (withdrawn from sale at the end of 2025), the high-power Kinetix 7000 and the Ultra3000. Rockwell publishes migration paths, mostly to the Kinetix 5100, 5300 and 5700.
Technologies and standards
Kinetix drives use EtherNet/IP with CIP Motion, so axes are configured and programmed in the same Logix project as the machine’s PLC logic. Older generations used SERCOS (Kinetix 6000 and 6200) or DeviceNet and indexing variants (Ultra3000), which is why a migration often touches the controller and network as well as the drive. Hygienic motors are designed to NSF, 3-A and EHEDG principles, and the VPC motors are rated to IE4/IE5 efficiency.
Industries served
The food-grade, hygienic and stainless motor variants (VPF, VPH, VPS, MPF and MPS) are aimed at food and beverage machinery and other washdown environments, with the VPS built in grade 304 stainless steel in 130 mm and 165 mm frames. The VPC continuous-duty motors can run on either Kinetix 5700 servo drives or PowerFlex 755 AC drives, which suits axes such as conveyors and winders that run for long periods. The Kinetix 5700 itself supports both servo and induction motors, so one drive platform can cover a whole machine.
Global and UK presence
Rockwell Automation’s UK company is Rockwell Automation Ltd, Companies House number 00872110, incorporated on 23 February 1966. Its registered office is at Pitfield, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK11 3DR, which Rockwell describes as its UK headquarters and the home of its customer demonstration centre and UK training centre. The UK contact page directs buyers to customer care chat, an online question form, phone support and a locator for authorised distributors, which is how most UK OEMs buy Allen-Bradley hardware.
What to have ready for an Allen-Bradley enquiry
Whether you contact a Rockwell distributor or another supplier, the full catalogue number from the drive and motor nameplates is the starting point: Kinetix catalogue numbers encode the frame, winding, feedback type, brake and connector options. Add the controller family and firmware revision, the network (EtherNet/IP, SERCOS or DeviceNet), the supply voltage and whether a safety function such as safe torque-off is wired. For discontinued drives, say whether you need a like-for-like spare or are willing to migrate.
Sourcing Allen-Bradley parts through Specify Motion
Specify Motion is independent of Rockwell Automation and is not affiliated with it. We can help source Kinetix parts for an installed machine, including discontinued drives, or propose servo motors and drives from our supply network that meet the same published figures. Our Allen-Bradley alternatives page covers what to check, and find a replacement takes a part number.
Allen-Bradley history: key dates
- 1903Dr. Stanton Allen and Lynde Bradley form the Compression Rheostat Company
- 1909Re-incorporated as the Allen-Bradley Company
- 1966UK company now named Rockwell Automation Limited incorporated (23 February)
- 1970Allen-Bradley pioneers the programmable logic controller
- 1985Rockwell International buys the Allen-Bradley Company for $1.651 billion
- 1994Merger with ICOM creates Rockwell Software
- 1996Current company incorporated in Delaware in a tax-free reorganisation completed on 6 December
- 2001Company officially renamed Rockwell Automation
- 2025Kinetix 6500 multi-axis drive withdrawn from sale at the end of the year
Allen-Bradley servo motors
Kinetix VPL Low-inertia Servo Motors
Low-inertia rotary servo motor line with single-cable digital feedback, sized for Kinetix 5500 and 5700 drives in 200 V and 400 V classes.
Kinetix VPC Continuous-duty Servo Motors
Interior permanent magnet motors for continuous-duty applications with IE4/IE5 efficiency, optional fan cooling, runnable on Kinetix 5700 servo drives or PowerFlex 755 AC drives.
Kinetix VPF Food-grade Servo Motors
Food-grade variant of the Kinetix VP motor with stainless shaft and fasteners for food and beverage machinery on Kinetix 5500/5700.
Kinetix VPH Hygienic Servo Motors
Hygienic stainless-steel servo motor designed to NSF, 3-A and EHEDG principles with IP69K washdown protection.
Kinetix VPS Stainless-steel Servo Motors
Grade 304 stainless-steel servo motor in 130 and 165 mm frames for washdown environments, 400 V class with Hiperface DSL feedback.
Kinetix MPL Low-inertia Servo Motors (MP-Series)
MP-Series low-inertia brushless servo motor in nine frame sizes with high-resolution absolute or resolver feedback, compatible with Kinetix 5700 and legacy Kinetix drives.
Kinetix MPM Medium-inertia Servo Motors (MP-Series)
Power-dense medium-inertia MP-Series motor with IEC metric mounting, rotatable DIN connectors and absolute encoder or resolver feedback.
Kinetix MPF Food-grade Servo Motors (MP-Series)
Food-grade MP-Series motor with tool-free rotatable sealed connectors and absolute feedback option for food and beverage machinery.
Kinetix MPS Stainless-steel Servo Motors (MP-Series)
Stainless-steel MP-Series motor for high-pressure washdown, offering 230 V and 460 V windings and IP69K protection.
Kinetix TL and TLY Compact Servo Motors
Small 200 V-class compact servo motors for low-power axes, historically paired with Kinetix 300/350/2000 and Ultra3000 drives.
Kinetix TLP Servo Motors
General-purpose servo motor line designed for the Kinetix 5100 and 5300 drives, spanning 50 W to 15 kW with 24-bit absolute feedback.
Allen-Bradley servo drives
Kinetix 5100 Servo Drives
Single-axis servo drive with built-in indexing for standalone, Micro800 or Logix-controlled machines, optimised for Kinetix TLP motors.
Kinetix 5300 Servo Drives
Compact single-axis EtherNet/IP servo drive for lower axis-count Logix machines, paired with Kinetix TLP motors.
Kinetix 5500 Servo Drives
EtherNet/IP servo drive with 200 V/400 V capability in each catalog number and shared AC/DC bus for building small multi-axis systems with Kinetix VP motors.
Kinetix 5700 Servo Drives
Rockwell's main multi-axis EtherNet/IP servo platform with single- and dual-axis inverters on a DC bus, supporting servo and induction motors and integrated safety.
Kinetix 300 EtherNet/IP Indexing Servo Drives (2097)
Legacy single-axis indexing servo drive with EtherNet/IP, now discontinued in favour of the Kinetix 5100.
Kinetix 350 Single-axis EtherNet/IP Servo Drives (2097)
Legacy single-axis EtherNet/IP servo drive for Logix integrated motion, discontinued with the Kinetix 5300 as the recommended successor.
Kinetix 2000 Multi-axis Servo Drives (2093)
Legacy low-power multi-axis servo drive, now discontinued with Rockwell recommending the Kinetix 5300.
Kinetix 6000 Multi-axis Servo Drives (2094)
Legacy SERCOS-based modular multi-axis servo system with 200 V and 400 V classes, now discontinued with migration to Kinetix 5700.
Kinetix 6200 Modular Multi-axis Servo Drives (2094)
Legacy SERCOS modular multi-axis drive with safety options, discontinued in favour of the Kinetix 5700.
Kinetix 6500 Multi-axis EtherNet/IP Servo Drives (2094)
Modular multi-axis drive using the 2094 power rail with EtherNet/IP CIP Motion control; withdrawn from sale at the end of 2025.
Kinetix 7000 High-power Servo Drives (2099)
Legacy high-power servo drive, discontinued with Rockwell pointing users to the Kinetix 5700 or PowerFlex 755.
Ultra3000 Digital Servo Drives (2098)
Older digital servo drive family offered with DeviceNet, SERCOS or indexing variants, now discontinued with several Kinetix 5000-series migration paths.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Allen-Bradley website?
Allen-Bradley products are on the Rockwell Automation website, rockwellautomation.com. UK visitors use the en-gb pages, where the motion control section lists Kinetix servo drives and motors, and the contact page links to customer care, technical support and a distributor locator.
What is the Allen-Bradley phone number?
Rockwell Automation's annual report gives +1 414 382 2000 for its Milwaukee headquarters. In the UK, the contact pages direct enquiries to customer care chat, an online question form, phone support and authorised distributors. The UK training centre lists +44 870 241 1803 for training enquiries.
Who owns Allen-Bradley?
Allen-Bradley is a brand of Rockwell Automation, Inc. Rockwell International bought the privately owned Allen-Bradley Company in 1985, and the automation business was renamed Rockwell Automation in 2001. Rockwell Automation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as ROK and is owned by its shareholders.
Where is the Allen-Bradley headquarters?
Rockwell Automation's principal executive offices are at 1201 South Second Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, USA. The business dates to 1903, when Allen-Bradley's founders formed the Compression Rheostat Company. Rockwell's UK headquarters is in Milton Keynes.
Does Allen-Bradley have a UK office?
Yes. Rockwell Automation Ltd, Companies House number 00872110, has its registered office at Pitfield, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK11 3DR. Rockwell describes Milton Keynes as its UK headquarters, home to its customer demonstration centre and training centre. Products are also sold through authorised distributors.
What motion products does Allen-Bradley make?
The Kinetix family: Kinetix 5100, 5300, 5500 and 5700 servo drives and Kinetix VP, MP-Series, TL/TLY and TLP servo motors, including food-grade, hygienic and stainless versions. Several older drives, including the Kinetix 300, 350, 2000, 6000, 6200, 6500, 7000 and Ultra3000, are discontinued.
Sources
- Rockwell Automation: Form 10-K for fiscal 2025
- Rockwell Automation: Our history
- Rockwell Automation: Investor relations contact
- Rockwell Automation UK: Contact us
- Rockwell Automation UK: Training centre
- Rockwell Automation UK: Customer demo centre
- Companies House: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION LIMITED (00872110)
- Rockwell Automation: Allen-Bradley motion control
- Rockwell Automation: Kinetix 5700 servo drives
- Rockwell Automation: Kinetix 6500 EtherNet/IP drives
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.
Spec builder
Specify Allen-Bradley parts or an equivalent
Select every part you need, answer the questions an applications engineer would ask, and see your summary before we ask for any details.
- 1Products
- 2Performance
- 3Environment
- 4Volumes
- 5Your spec
Engineer support
Ask about Allen-Bradley parts or equivalents
Tell us what you need, whether it is this part, an equivalent or a complete axis built around it. An engineer will review your requirements and reply, normally within one working day.
- Reviewed by an engineer, not an autoresponder
- Like-for-like and better-fit alternatives
- Standard, modified and custom options
Prefer to configure it? Use the spec builder.
