Zurich, Switzerland, June 1, 2012 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire Tropos Networks Inc., a Silicon Valley-based company that develops and markets wireless technologies and products for distribution area communication networks. The acquisition will expand ABB’s communications systems offering for customers in the power, transportation, mining and public infrastructure sectors.

Based in Sunnyvale, California, Tropos employs 55 people. The company’s wireless IP (Internet Protocol) broadband solutions focus on reliability, security and scalability, key characteristics for essential services in smart grid and other outdoor industrial applications. The Tropos portfolio extends ABB’s existing offering of communications solutions for the power distribution sector. It also reinforces ABB’s increased focus on the North American market and complements its global presence in utility and industrial communications.

As power grids and other critical infrastructure become increasingly reliant on automation, demand for cost-effective, reliable and secure communication solutions is growing. Communications play a critical role in realizing the efficiency improvements that can be achieved by automation and improved resource allocation.

For the second year in a row Beckhoff Automation has closed the financial year with exceptionally high growth in turnover. Annual turnover of 465 million Euros was achieved in 2011. This corresponds to a growth of 34 % compared to 2010, in which growth of 47 % had already been achieved compared to the financial crisis year of 2009. Turnover has thus been virtually doubled within two years. The number of employees also grew by 24 % to 2,100 worldwide, of which every fourth employee now works at one of the international Beckhoff subsidiaries.

Beckhoff can look back on a very successful financial year. “It is the second robust growth year in a row and we have even exceeded our own optimistic expectations. It is also particularly pleasing that all of the large markets – Europe, Asia and America – and product groups have contributed more or less equally to the growth. Naturally we are extremely satisfied with this result,” summarises Hans Beckhoff, Managing Director and Owner of Beckhoff Automation GmbH.

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Zurich, May 15, 2012 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has advanced its position as a world-leading supplier of enterprise asset management (EAM) software, according to newly released findings from ARC Advisory Group, a leading research and advisory firm. The results are part of ARC’s annual market and technology analysis, titled “Enterprise Asset Management and Field Service Management Worldwide Outlook.”

According to the report, ABB is now the second-largest supplier of EAM software worldwide. Regionally, ABB remains the leading EAM supplier in Asia and Latin America, and was ranked second in North America.

The company was also ranked the leading global EAM supplier to the mining and minerals, electric power generation, and electric transmission and distribution sectors. It was ranked second in aerospace and defense, and refining.

Ralph Rio, ARC’s author of the study comments, “Through its acquisition of market leaders Mincom and Ventyx, ABB has become one of the world’s foremost EAM suppliers. Our newest research findings show ABB has catapulted itself into the number-two position amongst all EAM vendors worldwide.”

“ABB offers an unmatched portfolio of enterprise asset management solutions that uniquely supports the requirements of asset-intensive industries,” said Jens Birgersson, head of the Network Management business, a part of ABB’s Power Systems division. “By maximizing the performance of mission-critical assets, ABB’s market-leading solutions enable customers to further improve productivity and overall business performance.”

Zurich, Switzerland, March 29, 2012 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order to provide complete power plant and propulsion systems for the first new build ship for German cruise operator TUI Cruises. The ship is being built in Finland at the STX Europe yard in Turku.

TUI Cruises, a joint venture between German tourism company TUI AG and Royal Caribbean International, is increasing its passenger capacity to serve the growing sea vacation market in German-speaking markets. Shipbuilder STX Europe has worked with ABB on numerous marine projects; ABB’s ability to deliver energy efficient systems was a key decision driver in this project.

ABB’s delivery will help the new ship maximize its onboard energy efficiency while providing a reliable power supply for all equipment and systems, as well as optimize its fuel consumption.

ABB will supply complete power plant and propulsion systems for the new ship, including medium voltage generators, main switchboards, propulsion transformers, propulsion drives, propulsion motors, thruster motors and ring main units for power distribution. ABB will also provide engineering, project management and commissioning services.