ABB

ABB has opened its state-of-the-art, fully automated and flexible robotics factory in Kangqiao, Shanghai, China. The 67,000m2 production and research facility represents a $150 million (1.1 billion RMB) investment by ABB and will deploy the company’s digital and automation technologies to manufacture next generation robots – enhancing ABB’s robotics and automation leadership in China.

A global ABB survey has revealed a growing trend in US and European businesses towards re-shoring or nearshoring operations to build resilience in the face of global challenges – but at the same time, a significant education gap in the skills necessary for these strategies to succeed. 

ABB is expanding its FlexPicker Delta robot portfolio with the IRB 365. With five axes and 1.5kg payload, the IRB 365 is both flexible and the fastest in its class for reorientating packaged lightweight products such as cookies, chocolates, peppers, candies, small bottles, and parcels.  

At Automatica this week ABB launched two products under the new OmniVance brand: OmniVance FlexArc Compact Cell and the OmniVance Machining Cell and Software. OmniVance consists of standardized, ready-to-deploy application cells that deliver modular production, simple programming and set-up. OmniVance FlexArc Compact Cell is used for welding, while OmniVance Machining Cell increases productivity in up to eight different applications.

In the third quarter of this year ABB saw strong demand, but supply chain constraints impacted revenues. They received orders for 7.9 billion dollar, reported a revenue of 7.0 billion, and an income from operations of 852 million. “In the face of a difficult supply chain environment, I am pleased that we achieved a good margin this quarter. Our cash generation was very strong, leaving ample headroom on our balance sheet to support both organic growth and acquisitions as well as rewarding shareholders” said CEO Björn Rosengren.

ABB will acquire ASTI Mobile Robotics Group (ASTI), a global autonomous mobile robot (AMR) manufacturer. The acquisition, a key part of ABB’s external growth strategy, was signed on July 19 and is expected to close in mid-summer 2021. Both parties agreed not to disclose any details regarding the purchase price.