ABB expands collaborative production management business

ABB has launched a new CPM (collaborative production management) operations business unit to assist customers looking for solutions and project execution services. Demand for these services is showing sustained growth and the industry has been going through a consolidation phase, so ABB has stepped up its capacity.

By Control Engineering Staff May 14, 2007

Baden, Switzerland— ABB has launched a new collaborative production management (CPM) operations business unit to assist customers looking for solutions and project execution services. Demand for these services is showing sustained growth and the industry has been going through a consolidation phase, so ABB has stepped up its capacity.

“The ongoing consolidation in the process industries includes numerous acquisitions and mergers,” says Mark Leroux, ABB marketing manager for CPM products. “These include Siemens ’ acquisition of IndX, Orsi and IBS; Rockwell ’s acquisitions of ProPack and DataSweep; GE ’s acquisition of Mountain Systems; Invensys ’s acquisition of CimNet; and SAP ’s acquisition of Lighthammer. ABB’s own broad portfolio was obtained through 16 years of acquisitions.”

Focus among end users is shifting from point solutions to more comprehensive programs based on international standards, such as ISA-95 (IEC/ISO 62264), and they are looking for suppliers who can provide these as a single source.

ABB’s CPM Operations business will focus on delivering solutions structured around its established, industry-focused products, supported by common processes and common technology. The new division will be based in Baden with Rauli Hantikainen at the helm. “This new business focus underscores ABB’s commitment to providing our customers with the products, expertise and services they need to address their current and future manufacturing challenges,” says Hantikainen. “With ABB’s existing software skills, strong industry know-how and comprehensive product portfolio, the CPM Operations business will be in a strong position to lead this important industry transformation.”

— Control Engineering Daily News Desk Peter Welander , process industries editor