ABB announced a strategic realignment of its global transformer manufacturing, engineering and service footprint to enhance competitiveness in a dynamic market environment marked by increasing competition and consolidation in the rail industry. The move is part of the ‘Power Up’ transformation program in ABB’s Power Grids division.
In Asia, Middle East and Africa, to serve growing market needs and enhance customer proximity, ABB will expand its traction transformer operations in India, supporting the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The company will also invest in upgrading its Datong traction transformer facility in China to improve efficiency and meet growing demand. Earlier this year, ABB inaugurated a new traction transformer facility in South Africa, in line with the government’s local procurement requirements.
“This is a testimony to ABB’s long term commitment to the Indian market with continued investment and contribution to the Make In India program. With our traction transformers made in Vadodara we have provided best in class technology for the modernisation of the Indian transportation sector,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India. “Our 1000th traction transformer went to the Lucknow metro project while the 800 new electric freight locomotives for India Railways will also be fitted with ABB’s reliable and compact traction transformers supporting modernisation and economic development,” he added.
ABB’s traction transformer factory is located in Maneja, Gujarat also ABB’s oldest and biggest manufacturing location in the country. ABB has been supplying traction transformers to Indian Railways and metro rail since 1999 in the country. ABB manufactured and dispatched its 1000th traction transformer that is used in the metro project in Lucknow. Manufactured at the Vadodara factory, the light-weight, ABB traction transformers are attached to and critical for on-board or metro compartment power supply.
Last year, ABB won an order from Alstom to supply 1600 traction transformers for 800 new electric freight locomotives in India. The new locomotives will expand Indian Railways’ capacity, easing congestion on busy routes for both freight and passenger services, it said.
