More changes to ABB automation after restructuring
The re-organisation of ABB’s automation businesses, which the company has undertaken to align its offerings more closely with its customer needs, will be accompanied by several related leadership changes from 1 January 2010.
ABB announced last week that it would re-organise and re-badge its Automation Products and Robotics divisions to form two new divisions: Discrete Automation and Motion, and Low Voltage Products. The Process Automation division will remain unchanged except for the addition of the instrumentation business from the Automation Products division.
Tom Sjökvist, currently responsible for Automation Products, will become head of the new Low Voltage Products division.
Ulrich Spiesshofer, currently responsible for corporate development on the ABB executive committee, has been appointed to run the Discrete Automation and Motion division.
Anders Jonsson, currently responsible for the Robotics division, will have an executive committee role with responsibility for continuing the implementation of ABB’s current cost take-out program as well as the company’s Global Footprint program, which aligns ABB’s resources with the company’s growth opportunities.
Veli-Matti Reinikkala remains head of the Process Automation division.
These changes will enable ABB to better tap growth opportunities in service, expand its presence in the discrete manufacturing sector and better respond to the increasing demand for energy efficient solutions, the company said.