Zurich, Switzerland—To increase market and operational simplicity, ABB has announced that it has merged its six Automation Technologies businesses into three globally focused businesses. The company reports that its latest reorganization continues an evolution that began in late 2002, when ABB merged two automation-related divisions, and combined 11 businesses into six.

Martinus Brandal, an 18-year ABB veteran, will head the new Process Automation business, which will blend ABB's control products; petroleum, chemicals, and life sciences; and paper, minerals, marine, and turbocharging units. Tom Sjökvist, with more than 30 years at ABB, will lead the new Automation Products business, which will merge the current low-voltage products and instruments, drives, motors, and power electronics units. Bo Elisson, a 29-year ABB veteran, will continue to head the ABB robotics, automotive and manufacturing business, which will be renamed Manufacturing Automation, and will sharpen its focus on costs and innovation. This division has an installed base of more than 100,000 robots.

In addition, to strengthen its focus on key North American activities and markets, ABB adds that executive committee member Dinesh Paliwal will take on the additional role of president of U.S.-based ABB Inc. beginning Jan. 1, 2004. He follows Donald Aiken, who will retire at the end of January as president of ABB Inc. and head of the group's automation activities in the U.S. Paliwal is a member of the ABB's executive committee and is the head of its worldwide Automation Technologies business, which employs more than 50,000 people, and posted revenues of $8.5 billion in 2003.