ABB in China overview
ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial
automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport &
infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is
writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial
Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees.
ABB is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and its shares are traded on the stock exchanges of
Zurich, Stockholm and New York. ABB Group was formed in 1988, when the Swedish Asea and
the Swiss BBC Brown Boveri merged under the name of ABB.
As a hidden digital champion, ABB is using its profound knowledge of its customers’ domains to
plan, build and operate a unique digital offering which will deliver true operational
differentiation for customers. ABB Ability™ brings together for the first time all of ABB’s digital
products and services, cementing ABB’s leading position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
China: ABB’s second-largest market
ABB's relationship with China dates back to 1907, when it delivered a steam boiler to the country.
In 1974, ABB established its first office in Hong Kong, followed by its first permanent office in
Beijing in 1979. In 1992, ABB launched its first Chinese joint venture in Xiamen. In 1994, ABB
moved its China headquarters to Beijing. In 1995, ABB's holding company, ABB (China) Ltd., was
formally established.
After years of fast growth, ABB has established a full range of business activities in China,
including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 17,000 employees located in 139 cities, 40
local companies, and online and offline channels across over 300 cities. In 2016, China continued
as ABB’s second-largest market worldwide, with around 84% of sales from locally-made
products, solutions and services.
Remarkable local R&D capacity
ABB adheres to its “In China, for China and the world” strategy and propelled the R&D
localization. ABB has continuously improved its local R&D capabilities through continued
investment and R&D footprint optimization. In 2005, ABB located one of its 7 global R&D
organizations in China. Now, ABB has more than 2,000 research and development professionals
in China dedicated to local R&D and innovation.
The ABB China R&D team has achieved great results, including the development of ABB's
smallest robot IRB 120 and other new robots, the i-jia wireless smart home system, Terra 53 Z,
ABB’s first general type of high power DC fast charger that complies with China GB standard,
and the ±1100 kV converter transformer which was co-developed with State Grid Corporation of
China. The team has also participated in the development of future-oriented technologies such
as the innovative high-voltage disconnecting circuit breaker, 525 kV subsea cable system and
ABB’s first truly collaborative robot YuMi in the world.
Full range of products tailored to local needs
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ABB's product portfolio in China includes a full range of power and distribution transformers,
switchgears for high, medium and low voltage applications and complete equipment, lowvoltage connection, protection, measurement and control products, drives and motors,
industrial robots, measurement products, electric propulsion systems for ships, turbochargers
and control systems. These products are widely used in utility, industry and transport &
infrastructure. Meanwhile, ABB has set up 16 service centers to enhance its service capacity, with
a team consisting of more than 1,500 service professionals dedicated to providing professional
service to Chinese customers.
In China, ABB has participated in many key national projects including the south-to-north water
diversion project, the west-to-east power transmission project, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and
venues for the Beijing Olympic Games and APEC summit, Hangzhou G20 summit and Shanghai
Expo.
In addition, ABB has provided technology and solutions for numerous customers, including high
speed railway projects and urban rail projects in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou;
auto manufacturers such as BMW, Volvo and ChangAn Ford; steel customers such as Baosteel
and Shagang; and datacenter customers such as Global Data Solutions (GDS). In HVDC, ABB has
participated in the construction of many projects including the Xiangjiaba-Shanghai, NuozhaduGuangdong, Jinping-Sunan, Hami-Zhengzhou, Xiluodu-Zhexi, Lingzhou-Shaoxing and JiuquanHunan ± 800 kV transmission projects as well as the ±1100 kV Changji-Guquan UHVDC link, which
set a new world record on voltage level.
A responsible corporate citizen
ABB actively fulfills its social responsibility and takes an active part in charitable, educational and
environmental programs in China.
ABB Group Executives have been members of mayor’s or governor’s advisors in Beijing,
Shanghai, Chongqing and Guangdong, proposing forward-looking advices to support China’s
sustainable growth.
ABB also promotes the cultivation of local talents by holding the annual University Innovation
Contest and national automation thesis contest.
ABB has participated in various charity activities, such as planting trees, volunteering in
communities, caring for senior citizens and hosting electrical safety seminars. ABB also launched
the “ABB-New Great Wall Fund” to support impoverished college students. To date, the fund has
donated about RMB 14 million, benefitting over 2,000 students from 45 universities and many
students from technical schools.
Contact us
ABB (China) Ltd.
Universal Plaza, 10 Jiuxianqiao Lu
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015
Tel: 010 8456 6688 Fax: 010 6423 1613
www.abb.com.cn
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Wechat: abb_in_china