ABB realigns automation divisions

ABB, manufacturer of power and automation technologies and solutions, is reorganizing its automation divisions to align activities more closely with those of its customers. ABB says the changes will enable the company to take advantage of growth opportunities in service, expand its presence in the discrete manufacturing sector and better respond to the increasing demand for energy efficient sol...

January 1, 2010

ABB, manufacturer of power and automation technologies and solutions, is reorganizing its automation divisions to align activities more closely with those of its customers. ABB says the changes will enable the company to take advantage of growth opportunities in service, expand its presence in the discrete manufacturing sector and better respond to the increasing demand for energy efficient solutions.

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, the business units currently in the Automation Products and Robotics divisions will be regrouped into two new divisions — Discrete Automation and Motion, and Low Voltage Products. The Process Automation division will remain unchanged except for the addition of the instrumentation business from the Automation Products division.

The new Low Voltage Products division includes businesses producing mainly low-voltage electrical equipment that is sold to wholesalers, original equipment manufacturers as well as system integrators, and has moderate service requirements.

The new Discrete Automation and Motion division includes products and systems targeted at discrete manufacturing applications, such as robotics and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and providing motion in plants, such as motors and drives.

Process Automation will remain unchanged except for the addition of ABB’s instrumentation business, currently part of the Automation Products division.

Alignment of ABB’s automation businesses

Technologies Channel Service model
OEM = original equipment manufacturer
Discrete Automation and Motion (DM) Electrical circuits and control software Electromechanical and motion Mainly system integrators, OEMs Customers require a higher volume of tailored services
Low Voltage Products (LP) Switching and contacting Mainly wholesalers, OEMs Moderate service volume, standardized
Process Automation (PA) Distributed control systems and automation Mainly end-users Customers require a higher volume of tailored services