Rockwell Automation names new New Zealand country boss

Rockwell Automation has appointed Shane Riley as Country Manager for New Zealand, reshaping its local leadership team.

Riley replaces Mike Greig, who has moved to the role of Global Industry Sales Director of Warehouse and Logistics and is now based in the United States.

Rockwell Automation works in industrial automation and what it describes as digital transformation for industry. The New Zealand country manager role includes customer and partner engagement and oversight of the company's presence in the country.

Riley joins Rockwell after running his own consulting business, Blue Duck Developments. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer at Vertex Group Limited.

His background spans commercial leadership and operations across manufacturing and technology in New Zealand. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles including Technical Services Manager at Dairy Goat Co-operative, where he managed strategic projects, major capital investments, and cross-functional teams.

Rockwell's Regional Director, South Pacific, Adrian Giecco, said the appointment supports continuity in New Zealand following Greig's move into a global role.

"Under Mike Greig's leadership our New Zealand business garnered a reputation for innovation and customer focus," Giecco said. "Shane's broad experience across channel, consulting and end-user organisations positions him well to continue this innovation. He is an energetic and inspiring leader, and we're excited to introduce him to our partners and customers."

Transition timing

Riley will start part-time in February 2026 and transition to full-time by the end of March.

He will split his time between Rockwell's Auckland and Hamilton offices. Rockwell has an established footprint in New Zealand, working with industrial customers and integration partners.

The appointment reflects a common pattern for multinational industrial technology suppliers in New Zealand, where the country manager often leads a small in-country team while coordinating across broader regional structures. Rockwell's South Pacific leadership sits within a wider Asia-Pacific organisation, which typically manages large-scale programmes, regional accounts, and product strategy.

Experience profile

Riley's experience in consulting and executive management positions him to work across a range of industrial clients, including manufacturers and technology-led operators. Channel relationships and systems integration partnerships are central to how industrial automation suppliers deliver projects in smaller markets, where local execution often relies on partner networks.

Riley holds an Executive MBA from the University of Waikato. He is also a certified Project Management Professional and a member of the Institute of Directors and the Project Management Institute.

Greig's move into a warehouse and logistics sales role aligns with global growth in automation adoption in distribution operations, where companies are investing in controls, software, and connected systems.

Rockwell's creation of global industry sales leadership roles reflects a broader industry shift towards organising around vertical sectors rather than geography alone.