A small company reports significant frustration with Rockwell Automation's distribution model for Allen-Bradley parts, citing that their local distributor has a territorial monopoly and provides...

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    "post_id": "1wmkqke",
    "summary": "A small company reports significant frustration with Rockwell Automation's distribution model for Allen-Bradley parts, citing that their local distributor has a territorial monopoly and provides poor service and uncompetitive pricing to smaller businesses.",
    "category": "pricing",
    "comments": [
      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb7ojuy/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 79,
        "author": "bythepowerofboobs",
        "excerpt": "I'm a end user in the midwest, and I end up buying 99% of my AB parts from an integrator we use that is based out of Ireland. Even with import tariffs and shipping costs I'm significantly under the pricing of our local AB distributor. The only time I buy from them is when it's an absolute emergency.",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T18:23:37.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/bythepowerofboobs/"
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      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb7nx8t/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 26,
        "author": "Too-Uncreative",
        "excerpt": "I buy from the local distributor, since they’re the only people I can buy from, and I complain about it to myself to no avail every time.\n\n But I also work with non-AB hardware and give my customers the option (with the price differential) and let them decide to either pay the premium or not.",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T18:21:00.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/Too-Uncreative/"
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      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb8hnwm/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 15,
        "author": "ExerciseAdvanced8047",
        "excerpt": "I don't deal with Rockwell unless absolutely required. I know they are the \"standard\" around here, and the big guys use them. I literally price their ridiculous software cost into jobs. When my subscriptions expire I feel thankful that I can say no to AB service calls again and blame it on the licensing.\n\n I try to do any other work other than AB. Its not like I \"hate\" Studio 5000 even, I just thi",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T20:27:20.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/ExerciseAdvanced8047/"
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      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb7qfj0/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 12,
        "author": "integrator74",
        "excerpt": "Are you an end user trying to make your own panels? If so, that is probably why you are not getting a lot off. It's all based on volume. As an integrator, I can buy parts, mark them up and sell them to end users cheaper than they can buy them almost every time.\n\n We also buy a LOT of AB hardware every year to get that pricing. One of the sales numbers to move up a level of integrator in their prog",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T18:31:33.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/integrator74/"
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      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb7qzlb/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 12,
        "author": "sadusername666",
        "excerpt": "Ex Rockwell distributor here.\n\n Rockwell has their distributors on a short leash. The distributors do have to jump through a lot of hoops, and employ a certain number of specialists to support the product line. So, in return, Rockwell makes sure that distributors are not undercutting each other, and assigning an Area of Primary Responsibility, or APR. A distributor can’t sell outside of their APR,",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T18:33:54.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/sadusername666/"
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      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb82oi2/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 11,
        "author": "KahlanRahl",
        "excerpt": "The best answer is to just not deal with AB at all. Switch to Siemens 😉. We can probably hook you up with special pricing on pretty low volumes. If you’re in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, or the Memphis area, give me a shout and I’ll put you in touch with someone.",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T19:23:08.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/KahlanRahl/"
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        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb8ae4m/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 8,
        "author": "Flimsy-Process230",
        "excerpt": "Rockwell has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with its business model. Allen-Bradley hardware carries a premium, the software and support are expensive and their distributor model makes things particularly frustrating for small shops.\nAs you noted you often don’t have much choice of supplier. Rockwell assigns authorized distributors to specific geographic territories so unlike with many other",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T19:56:02.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/Flimsy-Process230/"
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        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/1wmkqke/comment/pb7rtnw/",
        "depth": 0,
        "score": 8,
        "author": "its_the_tribe",
        "excerpt": "There's ways around it as mentioned. Also report them to Rockwell. I did that and am no longer tied to our local. I can buy from whom I prefer.",
        "posted_at": "2026-09-21T18:37:27.000Z",
        "author_url": "https://www.reddit.com/user/its_the_tribe/"
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      "[post] Our local distributor has my area locked down tight so you have to buy AB from them. BUT, they absolutely ignore any “small time” outfits. They literally told me “You’re lucky we are giving the pricing you have”.",
      "[comment u/Flimsy-Process230] Rockwell has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with its business model. Allen-Bradley hardware carries a premium, the software and support are expensive and their distributor model makes things particularly frustrating for small shops.",
      "[comment u/sadusername666] Ex Rockwell distributor here. Rockwell has their distributors on a short leash. ... Rockwell makes sure that distributors are not undercutting each other, and assigning an Area of Primary Responsibility, or APR. A distributor can’t sell outside of their APR"
    ],
    "virality": "high",
    "post_date": "2026-09-21T18:16:28.000Z",
    "post_kind": "text",
    "post_text": "Hi everyone,\n\nThis is a rant/question for all super small companies (or anyone else willing to help) trying to compete with the big boys.\n\nI usually can find reasonably priced sources for standard panel shop parts.\n\nEXCEPT current Allen Bradley parts like the 5069 series.\n\nOur local distributor has my area locked down tight so you have to buy AB from them. BUT, they absolutely ignore any “small time” outfits. They literally told me “You’re lucky we are giving the pricing you have”.\n\nSo, now I’m wondering if that is true and I need to just quit whining about it.\n\nMy questions to you: Are you having similar experiences with AB? How were you able to overcome and grow? Did you team up with non-competitors or similar? Anything else constructive?\n\nThere has to be a way so I’m reaching out. DM for privacy if you want.\n\nThank you.",
    "sentiment": "negative",
    "subreddit": "PLC",
    "post_title": "How do small companies deal with purchasing AB in the US?",
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    "other_companies": [
      {
        "name": "Siemens",
        "role": "alternative",
        "domain": "siemens.com"
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    "products_mentioned": [
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      "5069 series"
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