Nach Gewinnmitnahmen gehts mit ABB steil bergauf :!:

(05.04.2006 02:31 / PRD)

ABB moves robotics unit headquarters to Shanghai from Detroit - report



BEIJING (AFX) - ABB Ltd, the world's largest maker of power networks, has moved the headquarters of its robotics division from Detroit to Shanghai, the South China Morning Post reported.
At a media briefing, chief executive Fred Kindle was quoted as saying in the Hong Kong paper that China overtook Germany last year to become ABB's second-biggest market worldwide, after the United States, and was likely to become number one in the future. 'The car market is the most important for robotics. China has more than 120 vehicle plants and investment of 25.5 bln usd in new manufacturing by (next year) will bring the capacity to 15 mln units,' Kindle said.
'In the current global market, there are four main robotics makers - two Japanese, one German and ourselves - each with special customer relationships. In China, we can gain market share before others. You cannot produce a modern car without a robot,' he added. ABB Robotics employs 4,600 people worldwide, with plants in Sweden, the US, France, Spain and Europe, and revenue last year of 1.7 bln usd.
It is the smallest of the company's five divisions, which had total revenue of 22.44 bln usd.
'The growth is happening here. We are culturally confined by Japan, the US and Europe. Our business is governed by the European and American mindset. You must see all the global options,' Kindle said. The decision to move the headquarters also reflects the shift of ABB's business from Europe to Asia.
Last year, Asia accounted for 23 pct of its total revenue, up from 15 pct in 2002, and Europe contributed 49 pct, down from 54 pct.
In China, ABB has invested 700 mln usd in 25 companies and 30 sales offices with 8,500 employees.
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