ABB earmarks $280m for robotics hub in Sweden

Swedish-Swiss technology firm ABB is set to inject $280 million into the establishment of a cutting-edge robotics hub in Västerås, Sweden, with the strategic objective of augmenting its production capacity by 50%. This ambitious move aims to fortify the company’s ability to fulfil the growing demands for automation and cutting-edge products from its European clientele.

The substantial investment will be allocated towards the construction of a state-of-the-art campus that will offer customers access to an array of AI-powered collaborative and industrial robots. This visionary initiative is intended to facilitate ABB’s pursuit of a ‘local-for-local’ production strategy, characterised by the concept of flexible automation. This concept empowers robots to be dynamically reassigned to undertake various tasks, enhancing versatility and efficiency.

Björn Rosengren, the CEO of ABB, emphasised the pivotal role of Västerås in the company’s European operations, revealing that an impressive 95% of all ABB robots sold in Europe are currently manufactured in this Swedish city. Rosengren stated, “Following important investments in China and the US, the new facility in Sweden will strengthen our capabilities in serving our customers in Europe with locally manufactured products in a growing market. This is a strong commitment not only to our local-for-local strategy but to all our robotics customers across Europe.”

ABB, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, boasts a workforce of 105,000 employees, including 1,300 based in Västerås. Earlier this year, the company announced its plans to expand its facility in Michigan, USA, a move that is expected to create 72 jobs and amplify the factory’s production capacity in North America.

Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, provided insights into the significance of the new robotics hub in Västerås. He highlighted the historical significance of the location, tracing back to ABB’s pioneering development of the world’s first commercial all-electric robot nearly five decades ago. Segura disclosed that the forthcoming Research and Development (R&D) centre will focus on pioneering digital and AI-powered technologies. The centre’s mission is to democratise access to robotics while simultaneously reducing barriers to entry for applications across various industries.

The robotics hub in Västerås is slated for completion in late 2026. This strategic investment underscores ABB’s commitment to innovation, automation, and fostering regional manufacturing capabilities to cater to the evolving needs of its European clientele.