ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, have announced that its global Robotics Business headquarters officially started operations on Tuesday in Shanghai.

The Robotics Division, one of five key ABB businesses, contributed US$1.7 billion to the group's total sales of US$22.4 billion in 2005.

As a pioneer and leader in robotics ABB were the first to bring the industrial robot into the workplace in 1974. Since then they've diversified their product portfolio of robotic technology and services while claiming the largest volume of installed robots with more than 140,000 units around the world. So far ABB has sold more than 3,000 robots in China.

"China is becoming a major manufacturing base for the world," said Fred Kindle, ABB Group Chief Executive Officer.

In China ABB has the largest market share among international robot suppliers. Its current production capacity in China is more than 1,000 units annually and it operates from modern headquarters in Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone.

"We plan to continue expanding our activities in China," added Anders Jonsson, ABB Executive Vice President and Head of Robotics Division.

In 2005 China was ABB's second biggest world market surpassing Germany and being only second the United States. ABB aims to make China its No 1 market by 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)