A Strong U.S. Presence
ABB's American operations are headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, and the company employs roughly 20,000 people across about 100 communities in 25 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. This isn't a company simply exporting products into the U.S. market — it has manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and research facilities embedded throughout the country. That local footprint matters because it means faster delivery times, region-specific technical support, and a workforce that understands American industrial standards and regulations.
What ABB Brings to the Table
ABB's product portfolio for industrial automation is broad, covering several core categories:
- Drives and motors — ABB is among the largest suppliers of industrial electric motors and variable speed drives, helping manufacturers control motor speed precisely, cut energy consumption, and reduce mechanical wear.
- Robotics and cobots — ABB's robotics division offers one of the industry's widest ranges of industrial robots and collaborative robots, used across automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and general manufacturing lines.
- Process automation — For process and hybrid industries, ABB provides integrated control systems, digital solutions, and measurement and analytics tools that keep complex operations running reliably.
- Low- and medium-voltage electrical products — From switchgear to protection and distribution equipment, ABB supports the electrical backbone that powers automated facilities.
Because ABB doesn't specialize in just one corner of automation, companies can often source drives, motors, robotics, and control systems from a single supplier — simplifying integration and long-term support.
Why Manufacturers Choose ABB
For plant managers and engineers, a few factors consistently drive the decision to work with ABB. Reliability is one: ABB's long track record in heavy industry means its equipment is built to handle demanding, continuous-duty environments. Energy efficiency is another — many of ABB's drives and motor systems are specifically engineered to lower power consumption, which translates directly into operating cost savings. And because ABB continues to expand its domestic manufacturing capabilities, U.S. customers benefit from more resilient, localized supply chains rather than depending entirely on overseas production.
Working with Authorized Distributors
Most companies don't buy directly from ABB's factories. Instead, they work with authorized distributors and regional suppliers who stock ABB components, help specify the right equipment for a given application, and provide engineering support during installation and integration. This distributor network is especially valuable for businesses maintaining older ABB-based systems, since sourcing legacy parts and replacement components often requires specialized knowledge of ABB's product history.
The Bottom Line
As U.S. manufacturers continue to invest in automation to stay competitive, ABB remains one of the most established and comprehensive suppliers in the space. Whether a business needs a single variable speed drive or a fully integrated robotics and control system, ABB's combination of global engineering expertise and strong domestic presence makes it a supplier worth serious consideration.