ABB Announces $170M Investment in Developing New Projects in U.S.

ABB earlier this month announced that it was investing approximately $170 million in several new U.S. projects designed to bolster its manufacturing, innovation, and distribution operations. The company added that the projects will help create new high-skilled job opportunities.

The U.S. is ABB's largest market, making up 24% of its annual revenue, according to the Zürich, Switzerland-based company.

“The United States is critical to ABB’s success as a market that will continue to grow and benefit from our product portfolio that enables the transition to a more energy-efficient future,” said Björn Rosengren, CEO of ABB. “Currently, 85 percent of ABB’s sales in the U.S. are from products produced locally, which provides customers with a more secure supply chain and keeps good-paying manufacturing jobs in America.”

ABB bullish on U.S. following federal legislation

ABB noted its investments in its electrification and automation divisions. At the same time, the company is focusing on sustainability and embracing reshoring efforts.

The company said it feels confident in its investment in the U.S. with the passage of Reduction Act, CHIPS Act, and Infrastructure and Investment in Jobs Act.

U.S. Country Holding Officer of ABB Michael Gray said the Inflation Reduction Act has helped "trigger" new investments in clean energy and technology companies building locally.

“More than ever before, ABB is designing and producing products domestically to serve our U.S. customers, as they move toward more sustainable electric power generation, clean energy manufacturing, electric transportation, and industrial efficiency including carbon capture and storage, as well as methane reduction," he said.

ABB said that since 2010 it has invested $14 billion in U.S. plant expansions, operational improvements, state-of-the-art equipment, products, and people.

ABB is developing nationwide

Here is a list of the projects the company is investing in:

• New Berlin, Wis.: Opening of Drives and Services manufacturing facility will increase U.S. production capacity of industrial electric drives and provide additional customer services. The business manufactures a wide range of AC variable frequency drives and controls that reduce energy consumption in buildings and industrial applications in the U.S. market. The nearly $100 million greenfield investment is expected to be completed in late 2024 and is replacing a neighboring existing facility, which employs approximately 720 workers. Some 100 new jobs will be added over the next three years.
• Memphis: Investing $3 million in the opening of an Installation Products Research & Development Lab and Innovation Center to accelerate the development of new products. ABB remains the seventh-largest private employer in Memphis.
• Atlanta: Opening of packaging and logistics facility for end-to-end robotic automation solutions in warehouse and distribution, retail, and logistics industries. This $2 million investment will open in 2023 and create approximately 15 jobs.
• Albuquerque, N.M.: Previously announced $40 million investment in a new facility to manufacture Elastimold, the leading brand for underground cable accessories, to support strengthening a more sustainable U.S. electrical grid. It underpins ABB’s commitment to improve the reliability and resilience of the U.S. infrastructure and assure greater safety for American consumers, businesses, and communities. The investment will create 55 new jobs and will be completed by 2024.
• Auburn Hills, Mich.: Previously announced the expansion of North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility as more customers turn to automation to build resilience while improving efficiency and flexibility as part of the near and reshoring of production. The $20 million investment will create 72 jobs and be completed by the end of 2023.
• Lehigh Valley, Pa.: Previously announced the opening of the Installation Products Division Northeast Distribution Center in 2023. This more than $4 million investment will create more than 100 jobs and further regionalize ABB’s global supply chain to help reduce delivery times of high-demand electrification products to contractors by up to 50 percent.
• Columbia, S.C.: Previously announced opening of electric vehicle charger manufacturing facility to build up to 10,000 chargers per year, ranging from 20kW to 180kW in power, to support operators building the national charging infrastructure. ABB E-mobility’s investment will create over 100 jobs.