- New Global Business Services (GBS) center inaugurated in Krakow
- GBS will employ more than 2,000 people in Krakow
- Center will help achieve key ambitions of ABB’s Next Level strategy to make the company faster, leaner and more efficient, and to move closer to customers
- GBS organization will play an important role in supporting ABB’s digital transformation
ABB today officially inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art Global Business Services (GBS) center in Krakow, Poland. The facility, which will support ABB’s businesses in the areas of HR, Finance, Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, is one of six GBS centers that ABB is establishing around the world as it consolidates its country-based services organizations into a world-class business services operation. ABB already has a significant presence in Poland, including the full range of business activities, from R&D, engineering and manufacturing to sales and service.
ABB has been present in Poland for 25 years, and today employs 4,600 people across 11 factories and 25 branch offices. Poland is also an important hub in ABB’s global supply chain – half of all products and solutions manufactured in the country are for export. ABB invests around 100 million PLN ($25 million) in Poland each year. Poland is also home to one of ABB's seven corporate research centers, pioneering technologies for utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure applications.
The inaugural ceremony of ABB's new GBS center was attended by the Polish Minister of Development and Finance, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, Jaroslaw Gowin, as well as the Swiss ambassador to Poland, Andrej Motyl, and the Deputy Chief of the Swedish Mission, Ulrik Tidestroem. ABB was represented by Executive Committee members Jean-Christophe Deslarzes and Bernhard Jucker as well as Pawel Lojszczyk, Managing Director of ABB in Poland.
In his address at the ceremony, Minister Morawiecki said ABB's new investment was "proof of how important Poland is to the strategy of ABB", adding that the decision to invest in Krakow was down to the level of education and talent of Poland's workforce. "Polish engineers and IT specialists are well-known and respected around the world for their creativity and competence," the minister said, citing the ABB energy recuperation system installed in the Istanbul metro as an example of ABB in Poland's contribution. The system in question was developed by scientists at the ABB corporate research center in Krakow with the assistance of engineers from Aleksandrów Łódzki, where the company has its center of manufacturing and competence for power electronics.
"One of the founding principles of the Polish government's 'Responsible Development Strategy' is that Poland becomes a European and global hub for investors who have ambitions and achievements to be among the top leaders of the new economy," Minister Morawiecki explained.
A key objective of ABB's GBS organization is to improve the quality and efficiency of the services provided to ABB’s businesses so they in turn can focus on innovation and enhancing their value proposition for customers, especially in terms of digital offerings for industry. In March, ABB launched its industry-leading portfolio of digital offerings, ABB AbilityTM, with more than 180 digital solutions and services for utilities, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers.
_390x195.jpg)
In his address, Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, ABB’s Chief Human Resources Officer, said: “Krakow’s excellent pool of talented graduates and professionals makes it the ideal location for ABB’s new Global Business Services center. We are very proud of our diverse workforce in the country – now at over 4,600 people – and we are delighted to be further expanding our strong presence in the city.”
Bernhard Jucker, President of ABB Europe, said: “A key pillar of our Next Level Strategy is making ABB simpler, more agile and moving closer to our customers. This state-of-the-art facility, along with five others across the world, will be an important part of helping the company realize those strategic aims, as we develop our digital offerings for the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions.”
Pawel Lojszczyk, Managing Director of ABB in Poland, said: “Today’s inauguration builds on ABB’s strong presence in Poland and will make a significant contribution to the local economy. Our employees here in Krakow will play critical role in delivering on ABB’s Next Level Strategy and further innovations in the field of industrial digitalization.”
The GBS center, which will employ over 2,000 people once fully operational, is housed in new state-of-the-art premises in the center of Krakow. The "Axis" building, constructed by Skanska, is equipped with ABB’s intelligent home and building automation solutions, including air conditioning, ventilation, lighting systems and low voltage equipment. Additionally, the offices are sound-insulated and make optimal use of daylight to minimize artificial lighting. The building’s design guarantees 25 percent energy savings, as well as 40 percent lower water consumption.
This year, Poland is the official partner country of the Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial fair, where ABB will be showcasing its newest technologies, including some that were jointly developed at the company’s corporate research center in Krakow.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees. www.abb.com
