ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced that its global Robotics Business headquarters officially started operation since 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 was the first to bring the industrial robot into the world in 1974, and has a diversified product portfolio of robotic technologies 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, operating from its 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 became ABB's No. 2 market in the world, surpassing Germany and second only to the United States. ABB aims to turn China into its No 1 market by 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)