December 12, 2011  – ABB, a power and automation technology group, and Newave Energy Holding SA (a Quartino, Switzerland-based uninterruptible power supply player), have agreed that ABB will acquire Newave in an all-cash transaction. The deal, says ABB, will strengthen its position in the power control and quality market, and provide Newave with significant growth opportunities outside its traditional markets in Europe.

ABB plans to integrate Newave in its Discrete Automation & Motion division, and develop Quartino to become a main location for ABB’s UPS systems.

“The combination of two strong, complementary companies will create significant value-driven growth based on innovation, high quality and technology leadership,’’ said Ulrich Spiesshofer (in photo), head of ABB’s Discrete Automation & Motion division. “The acquisition is fully in line with ABB’s strategy for power control and quality and with the goal of the division to build on its existing strength in power electronics. Newave provides us a best-in-class player in the fast-growing UPS market, while our global sales channels will significantly expand Newave’s geographic reach.”

The global UPS market offers interesting growth opportunities, says ABB, mainly in the areas of data centres, industry and infrastructure. ABB will expand into a $6- to $7-billion market and “close a white spot in core data centre electrification and industrial power quality”.

Newave is active in the medium- and high-power UPS range, which is the most attractive segment, insists ABB, since it represents 50% of the overall UPS market with a yearly growth rate of 6-10%.