ABB selling panelboard multi-loop controller division to MicroMod

Warminster, PA—To focus more attention and resources on other instrumentation products that support its global strategy, ABB instrumentation reports that it’s selling its panelboard multi-loop controller business to MicroMod Automation Inc.

By Control Engineering Staff February 3, 2004

Warminster, PA— To focus more attention and resources on other instrumentation products that support its global strategy, ABB U.S. Instrumentation reports that it’s selling its panelboard multi-loop controller business to MicroMod Automation Inc. in Rochester, N.Y.

MODCELL, MOD30ML, Bailey Loop Command process controllers, Micro DCI process control system, and the Taylor pneumatic instrument parts business will be transferred to MicroMod. ABB in-strumentation will retain its single-loop Commander Series controllers and electronic and videographic recorders because they’re still a strategic part of ABB’s process instrumentation offering. The sale doesn’t affect any of ABB’s other control businesses, and is scheduled for completion by Jan. 31, 2004.

‘As part of ABB’s global strategy to focus on its core businesses, and become stronger through our improved-performance Step Change Program, we decided that the sale of our panelboard multi-loop controller business was a strategically logical move for us to make. ABB has an extensive offering of control products and systems available, but this particular business doesn’t really fit into the global instrumentation strategy,” says Dane Maisel, ABB U.S. Instrumentration’s VP and GM. “The best thing about the situation is that it really is a three-way‘win-win-win’ result for all concerned. ABB Instrumentation will be able to focus more resources on our core lines of measurement products, and MicroMod has a great business with an impressive installed base of customers, while the employees in both organizations benefit from added focus andresources on their respective businesses. Howeger, clearly the most important win is the benefit our customers will see through continued investment in these products, and sup-port from the same great team going forward.’

Maisel adds that, ‘We expect no immediate impact on our sales and distribution operations. Plans have been put in place to avoid disruption during the transition period and beyond. All ABB Instrumentation’s multi-loop controller employees in Warminster, PA, and Rochester, NY, will continue to work in the business under the new ownership. Manufacturing will continue to be done at the same sites, with the same suppliers. For now, orders will continue to be processed through the ABB U.S. Instrumentation’s headquarters in Warminster.’

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com