ABB’s Development History

Early Start (late 19th century to mid-20th century)

• In 1883, Ludvig Fredholm of Sweden founded Allm ä nna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) in Westeros, primarily manufacturing electric lights and generators.
• In 1891, Charles Eugene Lancelot Brown and Walter Boveri of Switzerland founded Brown in Zurich, Boveri & Cie（BBC）， Produce AC/DC motors, generators, steam turbines, and transformers.
• In 1942, ASEA manufactured the world’s first 120 MVA, 220 kV transformer at the Elverks V ä rtan power station in Stockholm
• In 1944, BBC developed the first high-speed locomotive, with its transmission shaft specifically installed on the bogie

Technological breakthroughs and expansion (mid-20th century -1987)

• In 1952, ASEA designed and installed a low-voltage oil filled cable that could withstand atomic bomb explosions, used to connect underground power plants to the Swedish power grid
• In 1953, ASEA became the world’s first company to manufacture synthetic diamonds
• BBC has manufactured the first 110 kV gas insulated switchgear, enabling circuit breakers to operate safely in confined spaces
• In 1969, BBC developed the first gearless cement drive device
• 1970: BBC manufactures the world’s most powerful 1300 MVA transformer
• In 1971, BBC began producing bipolar semiconductors at the Lenzburg semiconductor factory

Merger and rapid development (1988-2000)

• In 1988, ASEA and BBC merged to form the new company ABB, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The merged company had a revenue of $17 billion and 160000 employees worldwide
• In 1990, ABB launched Azipod, a series of electric propulsion systems fixed on the exterior of ships. In the same year, ABB acquired the robotics business of Cincinnati Miraklon Company in the United States, expanding its business in the field of automatic spot welding
• In 1991, ABB launched the IRB 6000 robot, which was the first modular robot and also the fastest and most accurate spot welding robot on the market at that time
• In 1995, ABB merged its railway engineering department with relevant departments of Daimler Benz in Germany to establish ABB Daimler Benz Transport Company (Adtranz)
• In 1998, ABB launched FlexPicker, a Delta robot designed specifically for the picking and packaging industry
• In 2000, ABB provided the world’s first commercial high-voltage shore to ship electricity, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships anchored at the port of Gothenburg, Sweden

Innovation and Transformation (2000-2020)

• In 2001, ABB was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• In 2002, ABB connected the AC networks of South Australia and Victoria through the world’s longest underground transmission, and also connected Connecticut and Long Island through the world’s first extruded high-voltage direct current underwater transmission line
• In 2004, ABB launched the expanded automation system 800xA
• In 2005, ABB transmitted electricity to a natural gas platform in the North Sea through a direct current line on land 70 kilometers away
• In 2008, NorNed submarine high-voltage direct current cable was put into use, with a total length of 580 kilometers, connecting the power grids of Norway and the Netherlands, and a transmission capacity of 700 megawatts
• In 2010, ABB connected the Xiangjiaba hydropower station in southwestern China to Shanghai, approximately 2000 kilometers away, through an ultra-high voltage direct current transmission line
• In 2011, ABB acquired Baldor Electric Company for $4.2 billion, becoming a global leader in industrial sports
• In 2012, ABB developed a hybrid DC circuit breaker suitable for building large cross regional DC power grids, and acquired Thomas&Betts for $3.9 billion, becoming a major player in the US electrification product market
• In 2015, ABB launched the world’s true collaborative robot YuMi
• In 2017, ABB launched its industry-leading digital solution product ABB Ability, connecting customers with the power of industrial IoT. In the same year, ABB acquired B&R, a leader in the field of machine and factory automation, which became ABB’s machine automation division
• In 2018, ABB acquired General Electric Industrial Solutions for $2.6 billion, consolidating its position as the world’s second-largest player in the field of electrification

Recent Developments (2020 present)

• In 2020, ABB sold a majority stake in its power grid business to Hitachi and has since focused on electrification and automation. In the same year, ABB launched the “ABB Way” operating model, which decentralized the company
• In 2021, ABB launched a global gender neutral parental leave program to support a diverse and inclusive culture. In September of the same year, ABB China signed a memorandum of understanding with CSSC (Handan) Perry Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. to explore solutions to reduce hydrogen production costs
• 2022: ABB Electric Mobility invests in YKC cloud fast charging Pre-C wheels and launches Shenzhen office. In November of the same year, five units under China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation signed a procurement contract with ABB
• In 2023, ABB launches an updated sustainable development agenda, committing to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and collaborating with customers and stakeholders to promote low-carbon social development. The electronic mobile department has become an independent department and an independent operational department
• In 2024, the Global President of ABB Group’s Electrical Business announced that it will further increase its capital by $100 million in China and continue to invest in the country

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