Close Menu
2025-07-01 14:45:28

ABB Unleashes Robotics Arm: Spinoff to Create Independent Global Powerhouse

Introduction
The industrial automation landscape is set for a significant shift. ABB Group, a titan in the sector, has announced a strategic move to spin off its entire Robotics division into a standalone, publicly traded company. This bold decision signals a major realignment aimed at unlocking greater value and agility for both entities. Here's what this seismic shift means.

The Spinoff Announcement: Independence by 2026
ABB Group, headquartered in Zurich, revealed plans during its Q1 2025 earnings call to separate its Robotics division. The goal is for "ABB Robotics" (the working name) to begin trading as an independent entity on the stock market by the second quarter of 2026. CEO Martin Wierod emphasized that this move is fundamentally about "support[ing] value creation for both companies." The separation will be executed through a share distribution to existing ABB Ltd. shareholders, pending their approval.


Why Spin Off Robotics? Strategic Rationale
The decision stems from a clear strategic vision:
Enhanced Focus & Value Creation: ABB leadership believes independence will allow the Robotics business to be "measured more directly against its peers," potentially boosting its market valuation and strategic focus.
Distinct Market Dynamics: ABB identified "limited synergies" between Robotics and its other divisions, citing different demand drivers and market characteristics. Robotics operates in a highly specialized, rapidly evolving space.
Proven Resilience: Despite recent challenges, ABB Robotics has demonstrated "double-digit margin resilience" consistently since 2019 under ABB's decentralized "ABB Way" model, proving its standalone potential.
Capital Allocation & Governance: Both ABB and the new Robotics entity will benefit from more targeted investment strategies and streamlined governance structures.


ABB Robotics: A Global Force
The division being spun off is no minor player:
Market Position: ABB Robotics holds the #2 global market position in industrial robotics.
Financial Scale: It generated substantial revenue of $2.3 billion in 2024, representing roughly 7% of ABB Group's total.
Product Portfolio: The unit boasts a comprehensive range, including industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs - bolstered by acquisitions like ASTI and Sevensense). Over 80% of its offerings are "software/AI-enabled."
Global Footprint: It employs about 7,000 people worldwide, with key manufacturing hubs in Sweden, China, and the US (Auburn Hills, MI).
Industry Recognition: A perennial RBR50 award winner, highlighting consistent innovation.



Operational Shifts: Machine Automation Moves
Concurrent with the spinoff, ABB announced a significant internal restructuring effective Q1 2026:
The Machine Automation division (currently part of Robotics & Discrete Automation) will be integrated into ABB's Process Automation business area.
Machine Automation is a leader in PLCs, IPCs, servo motion, transport systems, and vision/software, and reported earnings growth in Q1 2025.
This move aligns technologies with more synergistic end markets within the core ABB structure.
ABB's Electrification and Motion divisions remain unaffected by the spinoff.


Market Context & Future Outlook
The announcement comes amidst a mixed landscape:
Challenges & Recovery: While the automotive segment remains tough, ABB Robotics saw Q1 2025 order improvements globally (except Europe) after a significant drop from 2023-2024. Demand is growing in painting, consumer electronics, food & beverage, apparel, and industrial machinery.
Stabilizing Market: ABB noted the market appears to be stabilizing after a period of high volatility and supply-chain-driven "pre-buys."
Competitive Landscape: The standalone ABB Robotics will compete directly with giants like FANUC (Japan), KUKA (Germany, owned by Midea), Mitsubishi, Denso, and Stäubli (Switzerland).
ABB Group Focus: Post-spinoff, ABB will intensify its focus on its core "long-term strategy" in electrification and automation, leveraging its leading positions.


Conclusion
ABB's decision to spin off its Robotics division marks a pivotal moment in industrial automation. By granting its world-class #2 robotics player independence, ABB aims to unlock faster growth, sharper focus, and greater value for shareholders in both entities. The move underscores the immense strategic importance and distinct dynamics of the robotics market. While the separation is nearly two years away, it sets the stage for a more agile ABB Robotics to innovate and compete head-on, while allowing the core ABB Group to deepen its leadership in electrification and process automation. The robotics industry just gained a powerful new independent contender.

Keep your system in play!

Select
ABB
Accutrac
Acopian
AC Tech
Action Instruments
Adam
Adaptec
Advance
Advanced Input Devices
Advanced Micro Controls
AEG
AIS
Alcatel
Allen-Bradley
Allied Telesis
3M
Alstom
AMCI
Antex Electronics
Apparatebau Hundsbach
Array Electronic
Asea
ASTEC
Automation Direct
Aydin Controls
B&R
Balluff
Banner Engineering
Barco Sedo
Bartec
BECK
Beier
Beijer Electronics
Bently Nevada
Berthel
Bestobell Mobrey
Bierrebi
Biviator
Black Box
Block
Bofors Electronik
Bosch
Braun
Bürkert
BURLE
Canary
Carroll Touch
CEAG
3COM
Comat
Conrac
Controlon
Cooper Bussmann
Cooper Crouse-Hinds
Copes Vulcan
Crompton
Crouzet
Control Techniques
CTI-Control Technology Inc
Custom Servo Motors
Cutler-Hammer
Danfoss
Daniel Woodhead
DEC - Digital Equipment Corp
Delta Computer Systems
Delta Electronics
Devol
DGD Gardner Denver
DIA Electronic
DIGI
Digital
Digitronics
Durag
Dynapar
EATON
EBELT
Eberle
Echelon
E. Dold & Söhne - DOLD
EES Elelkra Elektronik
EIL
eka Technik
Elecktro-Automatik
Electronics Development Corp – EDC
Eletec Elektronic
Elliot Automation
Elographics
Emerson
e-motion
Endress Hauser
Entrelec Schiele
EPIC Data
ERMA
ERO Electronic
EtherCom
ESD
ESS Störcontroller
ETSI - Electronic Technology Systems
Eurotherm
Fanuc
Farnell
FEAS
Festo
Finder Varitec
Fischer Porter
Forney Engineering
FOTEK
Fuji Electric
Galil Motion Control
General Electric
Gildemeister
Gordos
Grapha Electronic
Grayhill
Grenzebach Electronics
Harting
Hawa
Hedin Tex
HEIDENHAIN
Helmholz
Herren Electronics
Hex Valve – Richards
HIMA
Hirschmann
Hitachi
Hitex
HK Systems
Honeywell
Horner - FACTS
Hüller Hille
iba
IBHsoftec
IBM
idec
IDS
IFM Electronic
INAT
INIVEN
Intel
Invensys
IPF Electronic
IRT SA
ISSC
ITT North Power Systems
Jameco ReliaPro
JAQUET
Jetter AG
JH Technology
Kent
Kent Industrial
KEPCO
Kettner
Kieback & Peter
Kingston Technology
Klockner Moeller
Kniel
Köster Systemtechnik
Koyo
Krauss Maffei
Kuhnke
Lambda
Landis Gyr
Lauer
L&N - Leeds & Northrup
Lenze
Leukhardt Systems
LG GoldSec
Liebherr
Littlefuse
Lumberg
Lutze
Magnecraft
Mannesmann
Matric Ltd
Matsushita
MDB Systems
Mean Well
Measurement Systems
Measurex
MEDAR
Micro Innovation AG
Micron Control Transformers
Mitsubishi
Molex
Moog
MSC Tuttlingen
MTL Insturments Group
MTS
Murr Elektronik
Myers Power Products
NAIS
Nandi Powertronics
NEC
Netstal
Neumann
Niobrara R&D
Nobel Elektronik
Omega Engineering
Omron
Opto 22
Orbitran Systems
PANALARM
Penril Datability Networks
Pepperl + Fuchs
Pester
Philips
Phoenix Contact
Pilz
Plasma
Plüth Energietechnik
Potter & Brumfield
Ramsey Engineering
Red Lion
Reis Robotics
Reliance Electric
Rexroth
Rinck Electronic
RIS - Rochester
RMP
Robust Data Comm
Ronan
RWT
SAE Elektronik
SAIA
SATT Control
Sauter
Schad SinTec
Schaffner
Shawmut - Gould/Ferraz
Schiele
Schildknecht
Schiller Electric
Schleicher
Schleuniger AG
Schlicht + Küchenmeister
Schlumberger
Schneider Electric
Schrack Technik
SCM PC-Card
Selectron
Sensycon
SEW
Sigma Information Systems
Sixnet
SOHARD
Sorcus
Spectrum Controls
Sprecher + Schuh
SPS Technologies
Square D
Stahl
Standard Microsystems
STI - Scientific Technologies, Inc.
Stromberg
Struthers-Dunn
SUTRON Electronic
SYNATEC Electronic
Syslogic
SysMik
Taylor
Tecnint HTE
Telemecanique
Tillquest
Timonta
Toshiba
Transition Networks
TR Electronic
Uhlmann
Unicomp
UniOP
United Sciences
VAHLE
Van Dorn
Vibro-Meter
VIPA
Visolux
Wachendorff Advantech
Wago
Walcher
Weber
Weidmuller
Wenglor
Westronics
Wieland
Wöhrle
Wolf
Woodward
Würth Elektronik
Yokogawa
Zebra Technologies
Ziehl-Abegg
Zollner
Xycom
Epro
bachmann
Saftronics
Siemens
KEB
Opti Mate
Arista
Sanki
Daiei Kogyosha
Brooks CTI-Cryogenics
MKS
Matrix
Motortronics
Metso Auttomation
ProSoft
Nikki Denso
K-TEK
Motorola VME
Force Computers Inc
Berger Lahr
ICS Triplex
Sharp PLC
YASKAWA
SCA Schucker
Grossenbacher
Hach
Meltal
Bremer
Molex Woodhead
Alfa Laval
Siemens Robicon
Perkins
Proface
Supcon
Carlo Gavazzi
DEA
SST
Hollysys
SOLIDSTATE CONTROLS
ETEK
OPTEK
KUKA
WHEDCO
indramat
Miscellaneous Manufacturers
TEKTRONIX
Rorze
DEIF
SIPOS
TICS TRIPLEX
SHINKAWA
ANYBUS
HVA
GERMAN POWER
KONTRON
ENTEK
TEL
SYSTEM
KOLLMORGEN
LAZER
PRECISION DIGITAL
LUBRIQUIPINC
NOKIA
SIEI-Gefran
MSA AUER MUT
KEBA
ANRITSU
DALSA
Load Sharer
SICK
Brad
SCHENCK
STAIGER MOHILO
ENTERASYS
USB-LG
TRS
BIOQUELL
SCHMERSAL
CORECO
KEYENCE
BIZERBA
BAUERBAUER
CONTROL
PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC
APPLIED MATERIALS
NMB
NI
Weishaupt
Weinview
CISCO
PARKER
Lenovo
KONECRANES
TURBUL
HMS
HOFFMAN
HUTTINGER
TDK-Lambda
RESOLVER
Knick
ATLAS
GAMX
TDK
CAMERON
NSK
Tamagawa
GIDDINGS & LEWIS
BENDER
SABO
WOODHEAD
FRICK YORK
SHENLER
BALDOR
Lam Research
NTN BEARING
ETA
WEST INSTRUMENTS
TDK-Lambda
SMC
Fireye
DAHUA
TESCH
ACROSSER
FLUKE
Sanyo Denki
Bruel & Kjaer
EPSON
HIOKI
Mettler Toledo
RAYTEK
EPCOS
DFI
SEMIKRON
Huawei
INDUSTRONIC
ASI-HVE
BARTEC POLARIS
AMAT
GD Bologna
Precise Automation
RADISYS
ZEISS 
Reveal Imaging
Saiernico
ASEM
ASEM
Advantech
ANSALDO
ELpro
MARCONI
EBMPAPST
ROTORK
KONGSBERG
SOCAPEL
TAIYO
SUN
York
KURODA
ADLINK
Notifier
HBM
Infineon
LNIC
Saipwell
JIANGYIN ZHONGHE
W.E.ST. Elektronik
EXPO
DEEP SEA ELECTRONICS
BECKHOFF
BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION
Drager
ZENTRO ELEKTRONIK
ATOS
TRSystemtechnik
JDS Uniphase
ADEPT
REO
Panametrics
Xenus
SIGMATEK DIAS
Get Parts Quote
Newsroom

Related articles Browse All