ABB Ltd, formerly known as ASEA Brown Boveri, is a multinational corporation specializing in robotics, power, and automation technology. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ABB operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 110,000 people worldwide. The company is renowned for its innovative solutions in the fields of electrification, industrial automation, robotics, and motion. With a history spanning more than a century, ABB has established itself as a leader in driving progress and sustainable development across various industries.
1. Founding and History:
ABB Ltd traces its roots back to the late 19th century when Ludvig Fredholm established the Swedish electrical company, Elektriska Aktiebolaget, in 1883. Meanwhile, Charles Brown and Walter Boveri founded the Brown Boveri Company in Baden, Switzerland, in 1891. The merger of these two pioneering companies in 1988 resulted in the formation of ABB Ltd, creating a global powerhouse in power and automation technologies. Since then, ABB has continued to expand its presence and diversify its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of its customers worldwide.
2. Core Business Segments:
ABB operates across several core business segments, including Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, Robotics & Discrete Automation, and Power Grids. Each segment focuses on providing innovative solutions and services to customers in various industries, such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and infrastructure. From power distribution and control systems to industrial robots and motion control solutions, ABB’s diverse portfolio addresses a wide range of applications and requirements, enabling customers to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
3. Electrification:
ABB’s Electrification segment offers a comprehensive range of products and solutions for power distribution, protection, and control. This includes switchgear, circuit breakers, distribution boards, wiring accessories, and building automation systems. With a focus on energy efficiency and reliability, ABB’s electrification solutions help customers optimize their electrical infrastructure and reduce operational costs while minimizing environmental impact.
4. Industrial Automation:
ABB’s Industrial Automation segment provides advanced automation and control solutions for manufacturing and process industries. These solutions include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), process instrumentation, and safety systems. By leveraging digital technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), ABB helps customers improve production efficiency, quality, and safety while reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
5. Motion:
ABB’s Motion segment specializes in providing motors, drives, and motion control solutions for various industrial applications. From low-voltage drives to high-performance servo motors, ABB’s motion products deliver precise control and energy efficiency, enabling customers to optimize their motion systems and enhance productivity. With a focus on innovation and reliability, ABB’s motion solutions are trusted by manufacturers worldwide for their performance and durability.
6. Robotics & Discrete Automation:
ABB is a global leader in robotics and discrete automation, offering a wide range of industrial robots, robot controllers, and software solutions. These robots are used in various industries, including automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and logistics, to automate repetitive tasks and improve manufacturing efficiency. ABB’s collaborative robots (cobots) and advanced automation solutions enable businesses to increase flexibility, agility, and competitiveness in today’s fast-paced market environment.
7. Power Grids:
ABB’s Power Grids segment focuses on providing solutions for power transmission and distribution, renewable energy integration, and grid automation. This includes high-voltage products, grid automation systems, substation automation solutions, and grid integration technologies. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and grid resilience, ABB helps utilities and grid operators modernize their infrastructure and adapt to the challenges of the energy transition.
8. Commitment to Sustainability:
ABB is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility across its operations and product lifecycle. The company aims to reduce its environmental footprint by improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and promoting renewable energy solutions. ABB also supports customers in their sustainability efforts by providing energy-efficient technologies, digital solutions for energy management, and consulting services for sustainable development.
9. Digitalization and Innovation:
Digitalization and innovation are at the core of ABB’s strategy for driving future growth and competitiveness. The company invests heavily in research and development to develop new technologies and solutions that address the evolving needs of its customers. ABB’s digital offerings, including ABB Ability™ platform and digital twins, enable customers to harness the power of data and analytics to optimize operations, enhance performance, and unlock new business opportunities.
10. Global Presence and Customer Support:
With a presence in over 100 countries and a network of sales and service centers worldwide, ABB provides comprehensive support and assistance to its customers wherever they are located. The company offers a range of services, including technical support, training programs, and consulting services, to help customers maximize the value of their investments in ABB products and solutions. By delivering superior customer service and support, ABB strengthens its relationships with customers and drives long-term success.
Founded in the late 19th century through the merger of two pioneering companies, ABB Ltd has since evolved into a global powerhouse in power, automation, and robotics technologies. Its comprehensive portfolio spans across several core business segments, including Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, Robotics & Discrete Automation, and Power Grids. These segments offer a wide range of products and solutions tailored to the diverse needs of industries such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and infrastructure. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, ABB continues to drive progress and shape the future of industries worldwide.
ABB’s Electrification segment focuses on providing products and solutions for power distribution, protection, and control. This includes switchgear, circuit breakers, distribution boards, wiring accessories, and building automation systems. With a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and reliability, ABB’s electrification solutions help customers optimize their electrical infrastructure and reduce operational costs while minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, its Industrial Automation segment specializes in advanced automation and control solutions for manufacturing and process industries. These solutions, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control systems (DCS), leverage digital technologies to improve production efficiency, quality, and safety.
In addition, ABB’s Motion segment offers motors, drives, and motion control solutions for various industrial applications. From low-voltage drives to high-performance servo motors, ABB’s motion products deliver precise control and energy efficiency, enabling customers to optimize their motion systems and enhance productivity. The Robotics & Discrete Automation segment is a global leader in providing industrial robots, robot controllers, and software solutions. These robots and automation solutions enable businesses to automate repetitive tasks and improve manufacturing efficiency, thereby increasing flexibility, agility, and competitiveness.
ABB’s commitment to sustainability is evident across its operations and product lifecycle. The company aims to reduce its environmental footprint by improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and promoting renewable energy solutions. Furthermore, ABB supports customers in their sustainability efforts by providing energy-efficient technologies, digital solutions for energy management, and consulting services for sustainable development. With a focus on digitalization and innovation, ABB continues to invest in research and development to develop new technologies and solutions that address the evolving needs of its customers. Its digital offerings, including the ABB Ability™ platform and digital twins, empower customers to optimize operations, enhance performance, and unlock new business opportunities.
With a global presence and a network of sales and service centers worldwide, ABB provides comprehensive support and assistance to its customers. The company offers a range of services, including technical support, training programs, and consulting services, to help customers maximize the value of their investments in ABB products and solutions. By delivering superior customer service and support, ABB strengthens its relationships with customers and drives long-term success. Overall, ABB Ltd continues to lead the way in driving progress and shaping the future of industries worldwide with its innovative solutions and commitment to sustainability and customer success.
In conclusion, ABB Ltd is a global leader in power, automation, and robotics technologies, with a diverse portfolio of products and solutions that empower customers to achieve their goals. With a legacy of innovation, a commitment to sustainability, and a focus on customer success, ABB continues to drive progress and shape the future of industries worldwide.
