HOUSTON, Texas, March 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ABB today unveiled its latest electrical innovations for the US market, resulting from research and development, and operational investments of more than $60 million. The investments for power distribution and protection, and residential circuit protection, complete ABB's portfolio extending its broad range of installation products from Thomas & Betts, the business ABB acquired in 2012.
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This builds on the $10 million investment to localize production in Senatobia, Mississippi, for a range of electrical components and systems previously manufactured overseas. The new 85,000 square foot manufacturing plant, which opened in October 2016 currently employs over 100 local employees with plans to increase to 300 in the next five years. In total, with additional investments in the sales team, logistics and other product development, ABB has invested more than $100 million in the US market alone, since its $3.9 billion purchase of Thomas & Betts.
"With the expansion of our portfolio, we continue to show our strong commitment to our US customers. ABB now has a complete offering of electrical solutions from a simple installation product such as a Ty-Rap™ through full electrical systems up to the medium-voltage substation," said Tarak Mehta, President of Electrification Products division. "We now have the most competitive and technically advanced range in our industry and will continue to invest in innovation and people to support our customers here."
Three main ranges have been launched, low-voltage power distribution solutions, residential load protection solutions and UPS and switching solutions.
Complementing the existing medium-voltage solutions, ABB has added ReliaGear® switchgear, motor control center, SafeT™ switchboard, SafeT panelboard and busway. These solutions will enable a safer and greener flow of electricity in data centers, advanced medical facilities, large hotel resorts, office towers or a sports stadium. Now ABB offers a complete portfolio of medium- and low-voltage solutions branded as ReliaGear for standard equipment and SafeGear for arc-resistant equipment.
In addition, SENTRICITY™ Load Centers and Circuit Breakers, a new residential solution, has been developed specifically for North America (NAM). The solution includes miniature circuit breakers (MCB), arc fault circuit interrupters/ground fault circuit interrupters (AFCI/GFCI), and surge protection devices (SPD). The solution protects people and equipment in the home.
"ABB is committed to bringing its reliable, smart, and green power products and solutions to the US market. We will continue to work to expand our portfolio here in the US in line with the increasing market demand," added Greg Scheu President of ABB in the Americas. "Investing in R&D and manufacturing strengthens our competitive position and enables us to improve the value we offer our customers. This latest investment makes ABB an even stronger force in the electrical industry."