ABB to establish North American R&D facility in Montreal

Swiss engineering firm ABB has announced a $90 million innovation investment in Canada.

The company plans to establish a new headquarters and research and development centre in Montreal.

Photo: ABB

The new headquarters is set to open in 2017 and will maintain 700 jobs and consolidate ABB’s research and development, manufacturing, assembly and testing facilities under one roof.

The new facility will also house the company’s North American Centre for Excellence in e-Mobility, which will focus on developing energy-management solutions for electric buses and trains.

The investment will enable Canada to become a key playing in a number of emerging technologies including robotics and IOT devices.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, welcomed the investment after meeting in Davos with Ulrich Spiesshofer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABB.

Minister Bains and Dr. Spiesshofer discussed additional investment opportunities in research and development related to the Internet of Things, robotics and the automation of food processing. The Minister expressed his commitment to ongoing engagement with ABB on investment opportunities that will strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem and create jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

“As a pioneering technology leader, ABB is helping its customers unlock value from digitalization and the Energy and Fourth Industrial revolutions,” says Spiesshofer. “With its excellent universities and associated ecosystem, Canada provides all the right ingredients for research and development needed to develop global technology platforms. There are huge opportunities in making transportation systems smarter and greener.”

ABB is a significant investor in Canada. The Swiss company generates annual revenues of $2 billion and employs more than 4,500 Canadians in 50 locations across the country.

www.abb.ca