Asea Brown Boveri (ABB): Global power, electrification and automation company

Main activities and business divisions

ABB organises its activities into business areas that deliver products, systems and lifecycle services. Typical divisions include:

• Power Products — transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers and substation equipment.
• Power Systems — grid integration, high-voltage solutions and turnkey transmission projects.
• Discrete Automation & Motion — electric motors, variable speed drives and industrial robotics.
• Low Voltage Products — distribution, protection and control equipment for buildings and industry.
• Process Automation — control systems, instrumentation and software for continuous-process industries.

Technologies and offerings

ABB supplies a broad set of technologies used to modernise and decarbonise energy and industrial systems. These include power-grid equipment and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems for long-distance transmission and renewable integration; industrial robots and automation systems used in manufacturing; drives and motors that improve energy efficiency; and digital platforms and software for asset management, process optimisation and predictive maintenance. The company increasingly bundles hardware with digital services and lifecycle support.

Origins and corporate development

The present group was created by the merger of two established electrical engineering firms in the late 20th century, combining long histories in power equipment and industrial machinery. Since formation, ABB has evolved through reorganisations, strategic acquisitions and divestments to adapt to changing markets and to expand its global footprint.

Markets, customers and trends

ABB’s customers include utilities, heavy industry, discrete manufacturers, transport operators and infrastructure projects. Common applications are substation and grid equipment for power delivery, automation systems for chemical and process plants, robotics for automotive and electronics assembly, and electrification solutions for rail and marine transport. Current industry trends that shape ABB’s strategy are electrification, digitalisation, energy efficiency and support for the energy transition.

Governance and resources

ABB is a publicly traded multinational with regional operations and investor resources available online; corporate filings and investor relations materials can be consulted via the company’s published pages investor information. For technical and historical perspectives on electrical engineering and industrial automation see broader engineering references in engineering. More on the company’s Swiss headquarters and local activities is available from regional pages about its Zürich operations Zürich operations.