The transaction will substantially improve ABB’s access to the industrial customer base in North America, opening opportunities for ABB’s wider portfolio including energy efficient drives and complementary motors. This move comes at a time when regulatory changes in the U.S. and other parts of the world will accelerate demand for energy efficient industrial motion products. The acquisition will strengthen ABB’s position as a leading supplier of industrial motion solutions, and will also enable ABB to tap the huge potential in North America for rail and wind investments, both of which are expected to grow rapidly in coming years.
“Baldor is a great company with an extremely strong brand in the world’s largest industrial market,” said Joe Hogan, ABB’s CEO. “Baldor’s product range and regional scope are highly complementary to ours and give both companies significant opportunities to deliver greater value to our customers.”
“Our board of directors believes this transaction is in the best interest of our shareholders, our employees and our customers,” said John McFarland, chairman and CEO, Baldor. “It demonstrates the value our employees have created and the strength of our brand and products in the global motors industry. We are very pleased ABB will locate its motor and generator business headquarters for North America in Fort Smith and we are confident the combined global platform will be well positioned to capitalize on meaningful growth opportunities in the future.” McFarland will stay with the combined business to support a successful integration.
“ABB is well known in the marketplace for premium, innovative and advanced products. We have respected them as both a market participant and a value-added supplier for many years,” said Ron Tucker, Baldor’s current president and COO, and CEO designate. Tucker will run Baldor including the mechanical power transmission products business and ABB’s motor and generator business in North America after the transaction is completed.
