ABB plans to spin off its robot division which has ‘limited synergies’
17 April 2025 
ABB announced plans to spin off its robotics division as a separate company that is due to start trading during the second quarter of 2026. The ABB Robotics business has around 7,000 employees. Its 2024 revenues of $2.3bn represented about 7% of ABB’s group revenues and it had an operational EBITA margin of 12.1%. In most quarters since 2019, it has delivered double-digit margins
“ABB Robotics is a leader in its industry and there are limited business and technology synergies between the ABB Robotics business and the remainder of ABB divisions, with different demand and market characteristics,” explains ABB CEO, Morten Wierod. “We believe this change will support value creation in both the ABB Group and in the separately listed pure-play robotics business.”
ABB’s board will propose the 100% spin-off of the Robotics division to its Annual General Meeting in 2026. If shareholders vote in favour, the spin-off will be done through a share distribution, with ABB shareholders receiving shares in the company to be listed (which has a working name, ABB Robotics) as a dividend in-kind in proportion to their existing shareholding.
“The board believes listing ABB Robotics as a separate company will optimise both companies’ ability to create customer value, grow and attract talent,” says ABB chairman, Peter Voser. “Both companies will benefit from a more focused governance and capital allocation. ABB will continue to focus on its long-term strategy, building on its leading positions in electrification and automation.”
From the first quarter of 2026, the ABB’s Machine Automation division, which together with ABB Robotics currently forms the Robotics & Discrete Automation business, will become a part of the Process Automation business.
The Machine Automation business holds a leading position in the high-end segment for solutions based on PLCs, industrial PCs, servo motion, industrial transport systems, vision and software.
ABB Robotics’ has manufacturing hubs in Europe (Sweden), Asia (China) and the US. Its portfolio includes industrial robots, collaborative robots and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots). More than 80% of the offering is software/AI enabled.
