Engaging customers from the initial stages of R&D efforts to ensure new technologies on the right track
Beijing, China, November 12, 2008 –ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, is demonstrating its technological dominance and comprehensive cutting-edge products through a 3-day event entitled “ABB Technology Days” in Beijing. The event, formed of 80 seminars and forums as well as product displays, is designed to showcase ABB’s consistent innovative efforts and leading products, systems and solutions in the power and automation fields to customers from different industries.
“Leading technology for a better world” is the theme of the event and attendees will have the opportunity to share and discuss future trends in the power and automation fields. The event will focus on showing ABB’s dedication to addressing global economic, energy and environmental challenges via technologies which help lift energy efficiency, industrial productivity and power grid reliability.
Peter Terwiesch, Chief Technology Office of ABB Group, commented, "as an engineering company, ABB has not only relied on innovation to remain forward looking and dynamic, but also continuously strengthened and expanded its partnerships with its customers. ABB’s innovative genes enable the century-old company to maintain its leading position in facing fierce market competition and it is well positioned to address the challenges of the future." Over the years, ABB has invested huge amounts of it budgets in R&D and has obtained more than 14,000 patents. In 2007 ABB’s R&D budget expanded to USD1.2 billion. Its leading-edge technological strength has ensured that ABB leads market trends and achieves sustainable growth regardless of the company’s business environment.
"At present, all of our customers from various industries across the world rely on innovative technology for their competitive edges," explained Peter Terwisch. "ABB needs to seek customer demands from the initial stage of its R&D in order to closely address market demands. ABB Technology Days is a valuable opportunity enabling us to talk with customers face to face."
ABB uses a unique model in its R&D. It requires the company to collaborate closely with a vast number of distinctive customers right from the conceptual stages. This proven and effective model is not only highly efficient, but has also secured ABB’s technical dominance in the early stages of new technology innovation. In addition, ABB’s customers are among the first to benefit from the innovation awareness.
ABB's indoor booth at "ABB Technology Days" is divided into two sections: Today’s Technologies and Future’s Technologies. The "Today's Technologies" section will display an extensive range of products and solutions used in wind energy, power plant controls, and power transmission and distribution in order to improve power grid reliability. Also on display are process automation solutions including Automation System 800xA, which can help customers achieve remarkable improvements in industrial productivity. Of special interest in this section are ABB’s energy efficiency technology highlights, which can bring added-value to the entire energy value chain. At the "Future's Technology" display booth, the company will showcase a broad range of leading technology covering renewable energy, rural electrification and the TrueView Vision Guided Robotics System. Visitors at the booth will also have the opportunity to explore related subjects with ABB representatives.
"ABB's leading technologies and solutions are broadly applied across the power and industrial sectors, as well as public utilities," said Brice Koch, president of ABB North Asia and chairman and president of ABB China. "They play a prominent role in improving people’s lives. Our goal is to keep the technologies evolving in that direction while contributing to the sustainability of society. We are also committed to ensuring that human can coexist with nature in harmony."
On the morning of November 13, Brice Koch will deliver a keynote speech entitled "Leading Technology for a Better World" at the opening forum of "ABB Technology Days". At the 80 seminars to follow, many ABB senior executives, researchers and engineers from China and abroad will communicate with more than 1,000 local partners and customers from the power, automation and robotic sectors about ABB’s latest technologies and applications.
ABB boasts a long history of innovation. For more than 100 years, ABB has been a leading influence in industrial growth through its numerous breakthroughs including: the first high-voltage AC transmission in 1891; the first 3-phase power transmission system in 1893; Europe’s first steam turbine in 1901; the first self-cooling transformer in 1932: the first HVDC power transmission technology in 1954; the first industrial robot in 1974; podded electrical propulsion for ships in 1990; the process industry control system 800xA in 2004; and HVDC light power transmission in 2005. Beginning with the delivery of its first steam boiler in 1907, ABB has been introducing its leading products and technology to China for over a century, driving the productivity and industrial progress of the nation, and contributing to the construction of numerous key projects such as the Three Gorges Dam，the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and Beijing’s Olympic venues, directly benefiting people’s everyday life. In 2007 alone, ABB introduced the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, lightweight and versatile robots, and energy efficient motor and drive systems to Chinese customers. In addition, ABB’s strong team of more than 700 researchers and engineers in China has provided many customized technologies and products based on ABB’s global technologies for its overseas customers. In China, ABB is well on its way to transforming from "ABB manufacturing" to "ABB engineering".
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales, and services, with 13,000 employees, 26 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 60 cities. To find out more about ABB in China, visit www.abb.com.cn.