Rockwell Automation, Inc. has announced that its Singapore manufacturing facility has been named a member of the Global Lighthouse Network by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The designation recognizes the facility for applying advanced technologies at scale to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and workforce enablement. This recognition underscores the company's capability to drive AI-driven transformation within its operations and for its customers globally.

The Singapore site received distinction in the productivity category, reflecting its transformation into a highly flexible, data-driven operation. By deploying more than 50 digital and AI-enabled solutions, including intelligent automation, AI-driven quality control, and predictive maintenance, the facility improved output efficiency, reduced defects, and accelerated workforce onboarding.

Bob Buttermore, SVP and chief supply chain officer at Rockwell Automation, stated that the recognition demonstrates the application of advanced automation technologies in ways that scale across global operations. He emphasized the company's focus on turning data into decisions and AI into outcomes to help manufacturers build resilient, adaptive, and productive Factories of the Future.

According to the World Economic Forum, the latest cohort of Lighthouse sites shows how AI is becoming embedded into core operations. This integration enables organizations to improve decision-making, accelerate innovation, and continuously optimize performance. Kiva Allgood, managing director at the World Economic Forum, noted that leading manufacturers are reimagining entire operating systems by embedding intelligence into the fabric of operations.

Rockwell Automation’s participation in the Global Lighthouse Network connects it to a community of manufacturers advancing industrial transformation. Through this collaboration, the company will share best practices and work with other members to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies across industries and regions. The recognition reinforces Rockwell’s commitment to helping manufacturers move beyond pilot programs to scaled transformation.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. has enabled Heaven Hill to embed digital transformation into its new production facility in Bardstown, KY, through the deployment of the PlantPAx modern distributed control system (DCS). The solution, implemented by Rockwell Automation partner Opus Integration, was selected to increase efficiency and provide a robust foundation for long-term digital optimization at the site, which launched in 2025. This integration marks a significant modernization for the world's largest independent bourbon maker, bringing operations back to Bardstown for the first time in decades following a fire that destroyed its previous distillery.

Heaven Hill required a system capable of delivering full plant visualization, robust cybersecurity, and support for future AI-driven initiatives. The PlantPAx DCS provides a cohesive view of the entire distillery, transforming how operators engage with the production environment. By utilizing modern interlock objects, the system allows operators to immediately identify issues preventing equipment from running, thereby reducing troubleshooting time and eliminating the need to sift through code or make multiple support calls.

The implementation also focuses on data-driven operational improvements. Operators can now analyze historical trends and compare past production runs directly through the system. This capability supports anomaly detection, process optimization, and continuous improvement within the distillery's operations.

Key Implementation Details

Heaven Hill, known for brands such as Elijah Craig and Evan Williams, has crafted bourbon for over 90 years. The decision to utilize Rockwell Automation's technology ensures that the new facility is fully modernized from its inception, positioning the company for future scalability and efficiency gains.