ABB strengthens commitment to India’s economic development

2015-11-11

 ABB’s expansion of the Chennai center demonstrates its commitment to the country’s “Make in India” policy, aimed at strengthening its industrial base and fueling economic growth.

The competency center, whose workforce will be doubled to 1,200 over the next two years, brings together professional engineering resources under one roof, serving ABB units across the world from its base in Chennai, among the largest industrial and commercial centers in India. The move will increase the number of ABB employees in India to close to 10,000.

“This expansion reaffirms ABB’s commitment to India as a key growth market and an important resource base,” ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer commented at the company’s Automation and Power World APW 2015 customer fair in New Delhi. “Our focus in India will continue to be on organic growth, which we will drive by increasing our investment in technology and our team, expanding our local footprint, and strengthening our operations in line with the country’s ‘Make in India’ objectives. The investment is part of ABB’s Next Level strategy, which aims to accelerate sustainable value creation for our customers and shareholders.”

Established in 2007, the engineering and operations center provides engineering support for all aspects of project management and business processes, including tendering, engineering, planning, procurement, functional system testing, installation supervision and commissioning. 

In addition, ABB is strengthening its local Power Protection Product Group with a manufacturing facility for the assembly of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Starting this month, two modular UPS assembly lines at the plant in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bangalore will provide power-quality solutions to Indian and global customers. 

This additional local assembly unit will increase cost effectiveness and improve efficiencies. With the local sourcing of components, ABB’s Power Protection product group improves price competitiveness while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Continued significant investments in India

ABB India employs more than 9,000 people, generated revenues of more than USD 1.3 billion in 2014 and invests around USD 100 million per year. 

ABB India today has 12 manufacturing facilities and 22 branch offices nationwide. These facilities serve the Indian market and export to countries all over the world. ABB manufactures more than 100 products in India, and has several centers of excellence devoted to developing solutions with global applications in both power and industrial automation. 

The Bangalore R&D center has already made important contributions to ABB’s global projects in engineering, oil and gas, robotics and software development. A unique solar pump drive designed especially for the local market has been one of the key projects of this center. ABB also operates its robotics service center in Bangalore, where engineers continuously monitor the health and performance of 5,000 working robots deployed worldwide.

Well positioned to contribute to government initiatives

ABB solutions help industries in India reduce energy consumption by 30% to 60% in a smart and efficient manner. The world-class automation solutions of ABB are helping to increase the impact of ‘Make in India’. They pave the way for the adoption of technologies related to the Internet of Things, Services and People (IoTSP). 

ABB has spent more than a decade working on developing and enhancing control systems, communications solutions, sensors and software in closed installations – the so-called Industrial Intranet. Today more than 50% of ABB products are software-based. By enabling installations to communicate via the Internet, the IoTSP provides connections across company locations and even between companies. Of all the opportunities brought by advances in technology, none holds out more potential than the IoTSP.

From network management and digital substations that strengthen transmission and distribution, to generating, integrating and transmitting renewable energy to the grid, ABB has the offerings and the experience to deliver reliable solutions.

ABB is a global leader in distributed power generation and microgrids with adaptable storage solutions that will play a key role in bringing power to remote locations and in integrating renewable energy, ensuring reliable power for industries and other power-sensitive installations. ABB is also a global pioneer in smart grids – a key component of smart cities. Its end-to-end solutions for smart cities range from smart grids, efficient resource management (water and waste), and sustainable transportation, to the next-generation of solutions for green and smart buildings. The Indian government is set to build numerous smart cities and ABB is perfectly positioned to deliver smart power solutions. 

Examples of ABB projects in India include the North-East Agra power link, the world’s first multi-terminal ultrahigh voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission system, as well as a smart grid solution for the entire power network of the state of Karnataka.

ABB installed the first HVDC link in the country and has been involved in five additional major HVDC projects. Furthermore, ABB is actively involved in the development of India’s ultrahigh voltage (765kV) network and the local manufacturing of related equipment. Most recently the company developed 1,200 kV power equipment, including transformers and a switchgear for a pilot installation in Bina, which is deploying the highest AC voltage level in the world. ABB is also supporting the rapid urbanization of India through a range of initiatives including solar plants, microgrids and metro rail projects in fast-growing cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Jaipur.