"B&R is a gem in the world of machine and factory automation and this combination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This transaction marks a true milestone for ABB Group, as B&R will close the historic gap within ABB Group's automation offering. This is a perfect fit and will make us the only industrial automation provider offering customers the entire spectrum of technology and software solutions around measurement, control, actuation, robotics, digitalization and electrification," said ABB Group CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.

"This acquisition perfectly delivers on our Next Level strategy. With our unique digital offering and our installed base of more than 70 million connected devices, 70,000 control systems and now more than 3 million automated machines and 27,000 factory installations around the world, we enable our combined global customer base to seize the huge opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

"This combination offers fantastic opportunities for B&R, its customers and employees. We are convinced that ABB Group offers the best platform for the next chapter of our growth story. ABB Group's global presence, digital offering and complementary portfolio will be key for us to further accelerate our pace of innovation and growth," said Josef Rainer, co-founder of B&R.

"This is a strong signal for our employees as our operations in Eggelsberg will become ABB Group's global center for machine and factory automation," said Erwin Bernecker, co-founder of B&R. "The most important thing to me is that the companies and their people fit so well together and that our founding location will play such a key role."

END