Eric Drewery who, for many years, led ABB`s operations in the UK is retiring from the group for health reasons. Since last year, Drewery has been masterminding the reorganisation of ABB`s global business along customer-based lines. He will be succeeded in this role by Jan Secher, previously head of the group`s manufacturing and consumer industries division.

Another ABB stalwart, Jouko Karvinen, who ran ABB`s drives operation before being appointed head of its Automation Technology business in 2000, is leaving the company to run Philips` medical systems business. He is being succeeded by Bernard Jucker who has run the drives and power electronics business since November 2000.

The personnel changes were announced at the same time as ABB`s first-quarter results which show that orders for the group`s automation technology products grew by 11% compared to the last quarter of 2001, but were 7% down on the first quarter of 2001. ABB reports signs of a recovery occurring in the drives and robotics sector, with an increased order intake mainly in the drives, motors and power electronics sectors.