Rockwell to Buy Computer Firm

Rockwell International Corp. said today that it has agreed to pay $1.65 billion in cash to acquire Allen-Bradley Co., a leading maker of the computers that control factory machines.

The acquisition of the closely held Milwaukee company would give Rockwell, already a leader in aerospace and electronics, a major position in the growing field of automation. Industry analysts say Allen-Bradley holds the leading share, about 30%, of the U.S. market for automated controls.