NKT Cables is acquiring ABB's global high-voltage cable system business with a total enterprise value of 836 million euros (US$934 million). High voltage cables are key components in sustainable energy networks, used for transmitting large amounts of electricity over long distances. The business is part of ABB's Power Grids division, which is currently undergoing a strategic review.

NKT Cables designs, manufactures and supplies power cables for low-, medium- and high-voltage solutions mainly in the Alternating Current (AC)-area. It has major production facilities in Europe and China as well as sales offices around the world, and employs around 3,200 people. In 2015, revenue was 1.2 billion Euros.

"We are combining two strong cable portfolios rooted in a shared Nordic heritage that will be more competitive on a larger scale under NKT Cables' ownership, while maintaining access to supply through a long-term strategic partnership," said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. "The combination of our niche cable system business with the strength of NKT Cables demonstrates our commitment to active portfolio management, a key element of our Next Level strategy."

(Continued on the next page)