management systems. In power generation, this division offers instrumentation, control and electrification of power plants. ABB delivers end-to-end solutions, playing a key role in electrification and energy projects, both new and retrofit, for utilities as well as industrial and commercial customers.
Automation Products:The Automation Products division serves customers with energy-efficient products to improve their productivity.These include drives, motors and generators, low voltage products, instrumentation, analytical and power electronics.This business serves customers and channel partners, spanning a wide range of industry and utility operations, as well as commercial and residential buildings.
Process Automation:The Process Automation business provides customers with integrated solutions for control, plant optimisation and industry-specific application knowledge.The business serves industries including oil and gas, power, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, metals and minerals, marine and turbocharging, among others.
Robotics: ABB has the world's largest installed base of industrial robots. It also provides robot software, peripheral equipment and modular ABB is the global leader in the power and
automation technology industry, operating in more than 100 countries with almost 108,000 employees
Global Overview of ABB
ABB has an innovation and technology heritage that dates back over 120 years. ABB (formerly known as Asea Brown Boveri), is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland and is recognised as a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance, while lowering environmental impact. It operates through five divisions:
Power Products: Power products are the key components in the transmission and distribution of electricity.This division of ABB manufactures transformers, switchgears, circuit breakers, cables and associated equipment. It also provides the necessary services to ensure product performance.
Power Systems:This division offers turnkey systems and services for power transmission and distribution grids, as well as for power plants.
ABB's offerings include substations and substation automation systems, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS), High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems and network
14
ABB INDIA LIMITED
Company Mode of presence in India Year of entry Key business
ABB India Limited Subsidiary 1949 Power and automation
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As part of ABB's global footprint philosophy, ABB India's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Vadodara and Nashik have been designated as global sourcing centres for high and medium voltage circuit breakers as well as magnetic actuators. Besides products, ABB India is also a key regional and global resource base for projects, services and R&D.The ABB group has established a corporate research base in India, which focuses on research and other related development. It also helps maintain and support a range of software intensive products and acts as a partner for ABB R&D centres as well as business areas within the group.This was the first such centre to be established outside the US and Europe.
manufacturing cells for tasks such as assembly, painting & finishing and machine tending. Key markets include automotive, foundry, packaging, material handling and consumer industries.
ABB operates in more than 100 countries with almost 108,000 employees. For the year ending December 2006, the company had revenues of US$ 24.4 billion and a net income of US$ 1.4 billion.
ABB in India
ABB entered India over five decades back.
ABB presently employs about 5,500 people
in India across 10 manufacturing units, 26 marketing offices, 8 service centres and 3 training centres spanning the country. In addition to these, the company has a channel partner network of nearly 750 partners. As part of ABB's new regional approach, India has been designated as the hub for the Asia Pacific region, which includes countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia,Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan,Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
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India's key initiatives in the country include work with primary schools to enhance the quality of education for underprivileged children.
Another key initiative called Project Roshni helps facilitate employment and earning for the differently-abled through sub-assembly work for some of ABB's products. ABB is also bringing electricity to many rural households through its Access to Electricity Programme.
Some of its sustainability efforts include disaster relief projects and a strong responsibility to the environment.
Key Success Factors in India
ABB has had a positive experience in India, and the key factor responsible for its success in India has been its maxim “Think global - Act Local.” ABB attributes its success in India to factors such as the vibrant market, its manufacturing base, availability of skilled resources and its competitiveness as a resource base for the group.
ABB India is among the group's fastest growing operations.The rate of growth has averaged around 40 per cent over the past few years, clearly outpacing the market. It has also taken several initiatives to improve employee productivity.
Business and functional heads of ABB India report to the Country Manager, who in turn reports to the ABB Group Executive Committee and In 2006, ABB also inaugurated a Global Operations
and Engineering Centre at Bangalore.This centre serves as a vital resource base for ABB units across the world. Its main scope of operations includes the development and execution of system and engineering solutions to support automation activities across the ABB group.
For the year ending December 2006, ABB India accelerated its growth momentum with its sales crossing US$ 1 billion, driven by a strong growth in orders and the introduction of several new revenue streams. ABB follows a 'triple bottom line' approach in India, which aims at balancing the economic, environmental and social impacts of business. As part of the company's approach towards “living” its commitment to sustainability, a dedicated ABB India Foundation has been set up as a registered trust for community
development initiatives. A dedicated sustainability organisation has also been put in place, headed by a Country Sustainability Controller, who reports to the Country Manager. Some of ABB 16
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also to ABB Limited’s Board of Directors in India, as it is a listed entity. At the same time, the businesses and key group functions interface with their respective global counterparts.This organisational structure has allowed ABB in India to take speedy decisions and act with local sensitivities.
Future Plans
The revival of the Indian economy, pick up in the global economy, enhanced automation levels in Indian industry, passing of the Electricity Act, ongoing Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programmes (APDRP) being implemented by various Indian states, growing construction activity and increasing export opportunities, are some of the factors that augur well for ABB in India.
On the automation front, increased demand for efficiency and quality, higher levels of
automation, global aspirations of Indian industry and brownfield and greenfield capacity additions, would be the drivers of growth for the company.
ABB will continue to build on the success of its strategic focus initiatives in value enhancing projects, standard products, services and exports.
In addition to increasing market penetration and higher volumes, ABB continues to invest in capacity and range expansion, expanding its portfolio and introducing new revenue streams.
17 ABB's India operations
• Presently employs almost 5,500 people in India across 10 manufacturing units, 26 marketing offices, 8 service centres and 3 training centres
• India designated as the hub for Asia Pacific region, which includes countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia,Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan,Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand
• Global sourcing base for high and medium voltage circuit breakers as well as magnetic actuators
• Key regional and global resource base for projects, services and R&D
• Crossed the US$ 1 billion sales mark for the year ending December 2006
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