ABB’s Machine Automation division, B&R, has appointed Christian Strahberger as Division President. He succeeds Florian Schneeberger, who passed away in an accident in April. Strahberger brings 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions across mechanical engineering, drive technology, motion control and power electronics. He has held roles with full profit and loss responsibility and has worked across international technology-driven businesses.
He joins ABB from Danfoss, where he held several international leadership positions. His most recent roles included Chief Technology Officer and Head of Semiconductor Manufacturing at Semikron Danfoss. Before joining Danfoss, Mr Strahberger spent 14 years in senior technology and business leadership positions at Singulus Technologies, Schottel and Voith. His experience covers technology development, business management and industrial operations.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr Strahberger said he was looking forward to taking on the new role and helping shape the next phase of B&R’s Machine Automation division. He said his focus would be on purposeful innovation and converting emerging technologies into solutions that address customer needs.
In his new position, Mr Strahberger will focus on strengthening innovation across the division and helping customers improve productivity and competitiveness while also operating more sustainably. He holds a PhD in Semiconductor Physics from the Technical University of Munich. His professional background combines scientific research with leadership experience in industrial companies focused on advanced technologies.
B&R is ABB’s Machine Automation division and provides automation solutions and services for machine and factory applications. Its technologies are used across industries including consumer packaged goods, printing, life sciences, plastics, energy and maritime.
The division’s portfolio includes control systems, industrial software, motion control, mechatronics and machine automation technologies. These solutions are designed to simplify production processes, improve machine performance and support efficient factory operations.
Mr Strahberger’s appointment comes at a time when manufacturers are increasingly adopting automation, digital technologies and advanced control systems to improve production efficiency and sustainability. B&R’s portfolio combines hardware, software and automation technologies for machine builders and industrial customers.
ABB said the division will continue to focus on helping customers respond to changing manufacturing requirements while developing technologies that support productivity and sustainable industrial operations. With his background across automation-related technologies, power electronics, semiconductor manufacturing and industrial leadership, Mr Strahberger will lead B&R as it continues to develop solutions for machine and factory automation markets.
The appointment also marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for the division following the loss of Schneeberger earlier this year. Strahberger is expected to work with B&R’s global teams to strengthen innovation and deliver solutions aimed at improving customer competitiveness.
