ABB will acquire Tropos Networks, a Silicon Valley-based company that develops and markets wireless technologies and products for distribution area communication networks. The acquisition will expand ABB’s communications systems offering for customers in the power, transportation, mining and public infrastructure sectors.
The company’s wireless IP broadband solutions focus on reliability, security and scalability, key characteristics for essential services in smart grid and other outdoor industrial applications.
The Tropos portfolio extends ABB’s existing offering of communications solutions for the power distribution sector. The acquisition complements ABB's global presence in utility and industrial communications. Tropos employs 55 people.
As power grids and other critical infrastructure become increasingly reliant on automation, demand for cost-effective, reliable and secure communication solutions is growing. Communications play a critical role in realising the efficiency improvements that can be achieved by automation and improved resource allocation.
“Tropos Networks’ technologies are a great fit with our own communications offering, greatly increasing our ability to supply robust and reliable private networks for use in mission-critical applications,” said Jens Birgersson, head of ABB’s Network Management business, a part of the company’s Power Systems division.
“Customers will benefit from the combination of Tropos’ wireless communications networks and ABB’s automation solutions and system design and implementation services,” said Tom Ayers, President and CEO of Tropos Networks. “For Tropos, joining ABB will accelerate our ability to reach customers in new geographies and industrial sectors.”