ABB has announced plans to spin off its Robotics division, aiming to list it as a standalone company by the second quarter of 2026. The proposal will be put forward to shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting in 2026.
According to ABB’s board, operating the robotics business independently will allow both ABB and the new company to focus more closely on their core strengths. The move is expected to create more value for customers, improve resource allocation, and help attract talent to each business. ABB will continue concentrating on its core areas: electrification and automation.
ABB Robotics is a global provider of intelligent automation technologies, offering robots, autonomous mobile platforms, software, and AI-based solutions. These tools are used across a range of sectors, helping businesses improve productivity and address labor shortages, while also meeting sustainability goals. Over 80% of the business’s offerings are software or AI-enabled.
The Robotics division employs around 7,000 people and reported $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, contributing roughly 7% of ABB Group’s total income. It operates manufacturing hubs in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, using a regional production model to serve global markets.
Peter Voser, ABB Chairman, noted that the Robotics unit operates in markets and sectors that are largely distinct from ABB’s other divisions. “Separating the two will better position both for long-term success,” he said.
CEO Morten Wierod emphasized the division’s financial strength, pointing to consistent double-digit margins in most quarters since 2019. The business is said to be well-capitalized and generating solid cash flow, with market conditions now stabilizing after previous volatility caused by supply chain disruptions and early order surges.
If approved by shareholders, the separation will take place through a share distribution. ABB shareholders will receive shares in the new company—tentatively named “ABB Robotics”—in proportion to their current holdings.
Following the spin-off, the Machine Automation unit, which currently forms part of the Robotics & Discrete Automation division alongside ABB Robotics, will be integrated into ABB’s Process Automation business area. This realignment is intended to unlock synergies in software and control technologies, particularly for hybrid industrial applications.
Machine Automation, known for its strength in high-performance programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motion systems, industrial transport, and vision software, will remain under its current leadership, operating within ABB’s decentralized business model.
ABB is a global company specializing in electrification and automation technologies. With a presence in more than 100 countries and a workforce of around 110,000 employees, ABB combines engineering expertise with digital solutions to help customers improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase productivity. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB), and has been operating for over 140 years.
