ABB acquires AB Rotech to expand welding solutions

ABB acquires AB Rotech, a private company based in Bursa that provides robotic welding solutions and services to the automotive sector with nearly 20 years of extensive experience. The experience of AB Rotech's engineering team covers all the steps of the robotic welding cycle, starting from design to commissioning, from electrical engineering to the customer service stage. The parties agreed not to disclose the financial value of the purchase. The acquisition will become final after the completion of official approvals later this year. This acquisition will expand ABB's portfolio and capability of robotic welding solutions to all growing segments of the automotive industry. According to the International Federation of Robotics, with a record growth of 21 percent in 2017, the automotive segment remains the world's largest robotics market.Turkey's automobile and commercial vehicle production rate, which is focused on increasing its exports, is expected to be even higher than the growth in the country's Gross Domestic Product. Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director of ABB Robotics, said: "This acquisition will further strengthen our position as the preferred partner for automotive OEMs and first-tier suppliers in Turkey and surrounding countries. It will also further strengthen our proximity to the customer and our pioneering robotics solutions, which differentiate ABB from its competitors.This merger is also in line with ABB's strategy to build solution-based collaborations with its customers, where the customer is located." AB Rotech works as an ABB system integrator under ABB's Authorized Value Provider program and has gained a solid position in the country's automotive sector with the growth it has achieved over the years. AB Rotech, which operates in Turkey's largest automotive production center, offers its customers robotic welding solutions including arc, spot and laser welding, as well as solutions and expertise in the field of milling and tool processing. When the process is completed, AB Rotech will be located under ABB's Robotics and Motion division and will be part of the Robotics business. It will also become a regional application center focusing on the welding solutions of the automotive sector in Turkey and South East Europe. Ömer Şanda, CEO of AB Rotech: "It is the perfect timing to advance our expansion in the automotive industry in our region and ABB is the perfect partner for us. Through the merger, we will be able to engage in ABB's capacity to access opportunities in the region and strong customer management programs." Together with ABB regional robotic welding solution centers, which are already established in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Prague, Czech Republic, to serve Europe's automotive sector, AB Rotech will contribute to widespread service to the entire European region.