Metals and minerals are a must in the climate transition and ABB's hoisting business is growing as more and deeper mines are needed. Julia Wästljung is the Local Service Manager for ABB's Swedish hoisting operations. Sustainability is an important driving force for her.
"If you really want to make a difference in the green transition, the industry is the right place to be, not least the mining industry. ABB's hoisting business is a key to deeper and more productive mines," says Julia Wästljung.
"And for a mine hoist with a lifespan of over 30 years, service is absolutely crucial to work sustainably from a life cycle perspective. Preventive maintenance that increases longevity and productivity makes a huge difference from a sustainability point of view."
Pushing boundaries together
ABB is the only company in the world to be able to supply complete mining hoist systems based on its own design of mechanical and electrical products. This creates a special kind of customer relationship with a close cooperation all the way from the design phase, through delivery of the projects and on to the aftermarket and the service organization to which Julia belongs.
"In Sweden, we have worked closely with our customers ever since Asea delivered the first electrified motor for a mine hoist over 130 years ago. The relationship we have with our customers can be compared to a lifelong marriage where we work together towards a common goal: a system that works safely, reliably, productively, and sustainably", says Julia.
Julia compares the mine hoist to the arteries of underground mines. It is a system that is as business critical as it is advanced, and it requires excellence in a wide range of areas: automation, electrification, digitalization and mechanics. ABB leads the industry's technology development, and it is often in collaboration with customers and partners that the limits of the possible are pushed forward. In the service business, there is currently a lot of development linked to, among other things, AI and AR solutions for remote diagnostics and condition monitoring.
"It is extremely interesting to work in a mature market and add new parts to it. Getting into the customers' business and examining how our technology fits in, and together with the customer matching our growing portfolio with their changing needs is incredibly rewarding. So many interesting things are happening right now, not least in digitalization where we have several exciting pilot projects underway with LKAB and Boliden, among others," says Julia.
A growing service portfolio
A key part of ABB's ambition in developing its services business has been to create partnerships with leading companies offering value-added technologies. In 2023, for example, the company entered into partnerships with Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group, a leading manufacturer of mission-critical advanced ropes and cables, and Gravitricity, with whom ABB is exploring opportunities in next-generation renewable energy storage systems and taking advantage of untapped mine shafts.
"We are in a very exciting time," says Julia. "The pace of innovation in technology and equipment for the mining industry is rapid and we continue to develop and expand our portfolio to continue to serve our customers in the best possible way, just as we have done for the past 130 years."
