Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:30:11 +0000
By NATION REPORTER
ABB, a world leader in industrial automation has acquired B&R, the largest independent provider of software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory robotics worldwide.
B&R operates across 70 countries, generating sales of more than $600 million (2015/16) in the $20 billion machine and factory automation market segment.
In an exclusive statement to the Daily Nation, ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer said the combination will result in an unmatched, comprehensive offering for customers of industrial automation, by pairing B&R’s innovative products, software and solutions for modern machine and factory automation with ABB’s world-leading offering in robotics, process automation, digitalization and electrification.
Mr Spiesshofer said through the acquisition, ABB had now expanded its leadership in industrial automation and will be uniquely positioned to seize growth opportunities resulting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In addition, ABB takes a major step in expanding its digital offering by combining its industry-leading portfolio of digital solutions, ABB Ability, with B&R’s strong application and software platforms, its large installed base, customer access and tailored automation solutions.
“B&R is a gem in the world of machine and factory automation and this combination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this transaction marks a true milestone for ABB, as B&R will close the historic gap within ABB’s automation offering,
“This is a perfect fit and will make us the only industrial automation provider offering customers the entire spectrum of technology and software solutions around measurement, control, actuation, robotics, digitalization and electrification,” said Mr Spiesshofer.
He said with the acquisition, it perfectly delivered on ABB next level strategy.
“With our unique digital offering and our installed base of more than 70 million connected devices, 70,000 control systems and now more than 3 million automated machines and 27,000 factory installations around the world, we enable our combined global customer base to seize the huge opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This combination offers fantastic opportunities for B&R, its customers and employees. We are convinced that ABB offers the best platform for the next chapter of our growth story” he said
ABB’s global presence, digital offering and complementary portfolio will be key for us to further accelerate our pace of innovation and growth,” said Josef Rainer, co-founder of B&R.
“This is a strong signal for our employees as our operations in Eggelsberg will become ABB’s global center for machine and factory automation,” said Erwin Bernecker, co-founder of B&R. “The most important thing to me is that the companies and their people fit so well together and that our founding location will play such a key role.”
With the acquisition, ABB will expand its industrial automation offering by integrating B&R’s innovative products in PLC, Industrial PCs and servo motion as well as its software and solution suite.
ABB will offer its customers a uniquely comprehensive, open-architecture automation portfolio.
