Rockwell Automation, the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, is giving back to the electrical distribution industry with an initial contribution of $200,000 to the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Education and Research Foundation.

The Rockwell Automation contribution - the first of several significant gifts expected over several years - will be dedicated to the enrichment and international expansion of courses and training provided by the Foundation. For nearly 45 years, the NAED Foundation has been providing information and training products that create the most effective channel to the market for distributors, manufacturers and their customers.

"NAED has been instrumental in creating valuable training material that when translated can drive continual success across the changing demographics in U.S. electrical distribution and support channel development in emerging markets," said Rod Michael, director of Global Market Access for Rockwell Automation.

"We are honored and thankful for the Rockwell Automation commitment to the Foundation," said Michelle McNamara, NAED senior vice president and executive director of the NAED Education and Research Foundation. "Their generous contribution will allow the Foundation to provide training to groups we would otherwise not be able to reach."

About the National Association of Electrical Distributors

The NAED is the trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry. Through networking, education, research and benchmarking, NAED helps electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. The NAED's membership operates in approximately 5,200 branch locations internationally.