Power and automation orders reach new record of R3,6 billion

News & events

First Quarter 2007 News & events

ABB South Africa, a leading global power and automation technology group, has achieved record power and automation orders of R3,6 billion in 2006, 30% higher than the previous year. Orders were spurred by the local electrical power infrastructure expansion programme and a more buoyant business in industrial plant automation to increase productivity and energy efficiency.

Revenues for 2006 were R2,7 billion, up 11% on the previous year, the highest achieved by the company in its 14 years of operation in the country.

"Our exceptional results reflect the massive demand for our market leading products and systems as the country's electricity infrastructure investment accelerates," says Carlos Pone, CEO, ABB South Africa.

"Strong demand came from the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors. We were able to exceed our customers' expectations with high level engineering skills and new technologies that optimise sustainable production by reducing energy and carbon emissions.

"Our industry business also benefited from stronger economic growth which increased investment in process and manufacturing plants," he comments. "We experienced substantial growth in orders for automation systems to increase factory productivity, energy-saving motors and drives and for services where ABB performs maintenance at customer plants."

The company's power business was boosted by record orders for power and distribution transformers, medium and high voltage equipment, new substations and transmission line protection equipment to upgrade and modernise power networks for greater grid reliability to sustain economic growth.

There was increased demand among the larger metropolitan electricity distributors for equipment for the upgrading and expansion of existing networks.

Industrial automation business grew substantially with large orders from process industries such as oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining and cement.

Demand for automation technology products such as electric motors, drives and low voltage products was increased by upgrades and expansion in industrial plants, commercial buildings and a boom in the residential property market.

ABB's strong performance in South Africa reflects its ability to meet the escalation in industry development and subsequent demands with innovation, high quality products and skills.

"I believe that we will build on this progress in 2007," says Pone.

For more information contact Chesney Bradshaw, media relations, ABB Corporate Communications, +27 (0)11 236 7578, [email protected]

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Power and automation orders reach new record of R3,6 billion

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