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International industrial systems giant, ABB sets its sights on Angola and Zambia with new Windhoek site

International industrial systems giant, ABB sets its sights on Angola and Zambia with new Windhoek site

Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), the amalgamated Swedish Swiss technology company this week officially opened its newly-constructed 2200 square metre facility in Windhoek in preparation for what it sees as continued capital spending on infrastructure and industry.

“Namibia is an important market for ABB, as it is the second largest contributor in the region to our revenue after South Africa. We have been in the country since the early 90‘s, and this investment is part of our commitment to the region to enable the offering of more services and products,” said ABB Southern Africa MD, Leon Viljoen at the opening ceremony. “The new facility will also help us to better service the neighbouring markets of Angola and Zambia from here, further improving our penetration into those countries.”

In addition to the range of industrial applications for which ABB is well-known, the expanded facility enables it to supply medium voltage products, low and high voltage switchgear, and is soon to introduce distribution transformers into the local market. The company has realigned its organisational structure to reflect its growth focus and to make its complete portfolio of digital solutions with a set of common enabling technologies that are used to build devices, systems, and applications, available to local industry.

Viljoen sees the Namibian operation becoming the main centre for delivering services across the border in Angola. “One advantage for our team in Namibia is that they can speedily service customers in Angola” he said.

ABB’s employees, instantly recognisable on any industrial site by their stark red overall with large ABB lettering on the back, are being upskilled to need the growing demand for technology solutions.

“For the Namibian office to deliver the service they envision, skills development will be a priority to ensure that our employees cover the full range of their products and services needed. Depending on the skills required, our people have been, and will continue to receive training from the colleagues and trainers from training facilities in South Africa, Europe or India,” said Victoria Konjore, Head of Human Resources at ABB Namibia.


 

 

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SADC Correspondent

SADC correspondents are independent contributors whose work covers regional issues of southern Africa outside the immediate Namibian ambit. Ed.