The initial establishment of ABB in Vietnam in 1993 was the opening of the main office in Hanoi and one year later the opening of the regional office in Ho Chi Minh City. In 1994, ABB demonstrated its intentions by establishing the ABB Joint Venture for the manufacturing of distribution transformers. The regional office in Da Nang city was opened in 1996; marking the nationwide presence of ABB.
During these first days, ABB always remained a stable and reliable development in Vietnam, keeping our global slogan of action: "Think global. Act local". Despite the financial crisis in 1997 which impacted the global economy with long lasting consequences, ABB in Vietnam stayed strong, believing in the potential of the Vietnam market. We have shown our long term commitment to the Vietnam market with the strategic drive for export from the Hanoi factory in 2005 and continued investment in expanding with the completion of the Bac Ninh High Voltage and Medium Voltage factories in 2010. The transformers factory of ABB in Vietnam export to all over the Asia Pacific region, serving clients from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and reaching out to countries in Middle East and Southern Africa.
Today, ABB in Vietnam has a workforce of more than 800 working across the country offices. As per the ABB structure, ABB in Vietnam is organized into five divisions: Power Products, Power Systems, Discrete Automation and Motion, Process Automation and Low Voltage Products in order to serve customers in all industries and utilities in the most efficient way. The nationwide presence has proved our continuous growth in terms of production and market coverage since our establishment.
During the 20 year journey, ABB in Vietnam has established itself as a reliable and competent technology partner who provides turnkey services and solutions in its markets. We have taken part in serveral important and successful projects in Vietnam including Phu My Thermal Power Plant (1996), Hai Van Tunnel (2005), Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant (2007), Dung Quat Refinery Plant (2007), Tri An Hydro Power Plant (2008), Nui Phao Mining (2012-2013), etc .
As one of the world's leading engineering companies, ABB helps customers to use electrical power efficiently, to increase industrial productivity and to lower environmental impact in a sustainable way. In line with the Group's vision, ABB in Vietnam is committed to long term development in Vietnam, to grow along with the development of all utilities and industries in Vietnam.
Key milestones of the 20 year journey of ABB in Vietnam:
1993 ABB set up a permanent establishment in Vietnam, with an office in Hanoi.
1994 ABB opened a regional office in Ho Chi Minh City and established a Joint Venture for manufacturing of distribution transformers.
1996 ABB opened regional office in Da Nang city.
1997 ABB extended JV licence to include power transformers.
2002 ABB converted JV into 100% of ABB capital, named ABB Ltd.
2005 ABB started the export of transformers from Hanoi factory.
2010 Opened a new branch in Bac Ninh with High Voltage and Medium Voltage factories.
2011 Opened Engineering Center to provide a high quality engineering package to customers and develop local competence
1. Green Business - a long term commitment of ABB in Vietnam
With our vision to help our customers to use electrical power efficiently, to increase industrial productivity and to lower environmental impact, ABB in Vietnam pursues sustainable development and tries our hardest to become a green business partner. A green business partner works to reduce its impact on the environment, society and the economy, striving to meet the triple bottom line. ABB in Vietnam, will continue working towards being that partner.
We incorporate environmental criteria into all major business decisions and make a commitment to environmental principles in our business operations. ABB in Vietnam includes environmental protection within our top priorities and stresses the importance of saving energy and lowering environmental impact. We have adopted ISO 14001 - the highest level of ISO environmental certification - as an environmental management standard. ABB is committed to compliance such as pollution prevention and minimization of our operation's impact on the environment through continuous improvement and investment in advanced technology.
Another illustration of the work that ABB in Vietnam has devoted to the long term green development is the supply of environmentally friendly products/services that replaces demand for non-green products/services; and the use of green ingredients/materials in production.
Green transformers are produced by ABB in Vietnam in compliance with international environmental standards, applicable regulations and laws. Adapted to accommodate specific environmental requirements, ABB green transformers use an environmentally oil substitute which is readily biodegradable and non-hazardous.
ABB uses low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paint in our production. VOCs are unstable, carbon-containing compounds, which cause air pollution and a host of health isues. Instead of using the 60-70% VOC paint, ABB shows our commitment to green production by switching to the use of 20% VOC paint.
The process controls which are supplied by ABB to cement and steel factories make the processes more efficient and optimize productivity. ABB products are also used in wind and solar farms to support the production of renewable energy.
Our determination to strive for sustainable development has also been shown in our effort to recycle the majority of waste from factories and offices. ABB in Vietnam has automated processes and machines in factories to reduce energy use and is continuing to find ways to reduce energy consumption.
With the participation in the Green-Biz Conference and Exhibition on 19th and 20th September 2013, ABB in Vietnam has made an active contribution to the discussion with the Government and the authorities about efficient and sustainable energy consumption, showing the long term commitment to green operations and sustainable development.
2. Big projects of ABB in Vietnam - evidence of our success in Vietnam market
During the 20 year journey in Vietnam, ABB in Vietnam has taken part in serveral important and successful projects including Phu My Thermal Power Plant (1996), Hai Van Tunnel (2005), Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant (2007), Dung Quat Refinery Plant (2007), Tri An Hydro Power Plant (2008), Nui Phao Mining (2012-2013), etc. In each market and industrial sector, we offer our customers a dedicated and competent team of professional sales, service and engineering expertise in support of our range of systems and products.
In 2005, ABB won the contract for electrification of the Hai Van Pass Tunel in Vietnam, the longest highway tunnel in Southeast Asia, and a crucial link in the country's national highway system. Under the terms of the contract, ABB was responsible for overall project management and engineering, and supplied power and automation technology equipment such as gas insulated switchgears, transformers, switchboards and SCADA system for power distribution protection, control and monitoring.
The new polymetallic mine in Thai Nguyen was supplied with ABB power and automation technology to control the process plant for the mine. ABB also supplied transportable switch rooms which will house all the electrical equipment coming from ABB. The equipment and system design for the project will minimize impact on the surrounding power network, and increase both efficiency and productivity. ABB's proven maintenance, lifecycle support service and expertise in delivering systems were important factors in securing this contract.
Dung Quat refinery - the first petrol refinery complex in Vietnam selected ABB MNS withdrawable style switchboards for the project which required high quality, proven designs for its MCCs.
ABB also won the contract for Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant to supply DCS (Distributed Control Systems), grid connection, generator and unit/station transformers, MV & LV systems and cabling and DC/UPS systems.
We achieved such success thanks to well trained staff, manufacturing products to the highest quality for both export and domestic use. During the last 20 years, we have proven ourselves as a reliable and competent technology partner to government, private and domestic sectors and become one of the leading brand names in power and automation technology in Vietnam.
3. ABB in Vietnam - at the heart of technology leadership
All manufacturing facilities in ABB in Vietnam are at international standards and ensure the occupational health and safety for our employees.
The transformer factory in Hanoi was integrated in 1994 for the manufacturing of distribution transformers along with the establishment of ABB Joint Venture. After 20 years of development, the transformer factory has now turned into a world class manufacturing facility that is developing a strong reputation in the region with export to Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa. ABB has invested in the latest, most cost effective technology in all its Vietnam manufacturing facilities, at the same time encouraging a culture that continuously develops the capability of our employees.
The High Voltage (HV) factory in Bac Ninh province, which was brought into operation in 2010, provides high tech core components for high voltage circuit breakers and other HV components and delivers them to ABB factories worldwide.
We are able to provide a strong installation capability as well as consultancy services. Our high voltage factory was recently extended by the installation of the GIS production line and becomes GIS provider to other ABBs. Local knowledge, leading technologies and a partnering approach gives ABB the competitive edge.
Packages of equipment are supplied to power stations, utilities and contractors. Our ability to supply a full range of products or "one-stop shop" where you can purchase everything our customers need one contract, ensures ease of operation as well as full compatibility amongst products.
4. People - groundwork for the future
At ABB in Vietnam, we understand that employees are at the core of a business. During 20 years of development, we have always provided a first-class working environment where personal development, operational execution, health and safety, and the social and environmental performance of our staff are of paramount importance. With the participation of hundreds of ABB employees, our staff development programs bring a culture of leadership to every single level of the organization.
The notion of diversity is always bred and nourished throughout the Company's activities, most noticeably in the open, flexible and inclusive culture which attracts and retains top performers from all over the world.
The investment in education and the development of the next generation of innovators is an essential part of maintaining our position as a leading provider of power and automation technology. The Training Center that we have established at Hanoi University of Technology and Science, with working power and automation technology demonstrations, provides students, customers and partners with a "hands-on" experience. For us, this is not theoretical knowledge, but practical, first-hand knowledge which matters in this technological industry.
During the last 20 years, ABB in Vietnam has also offered various career opportunities for young talents from universities in Vietnam and from all around the world. The career information is updated on a regular basis, providing potential candidates a broad glimpse of the future career pathway at ABB.
Scholarships are also available for Vietnamese engineering students. The annual ABB JDF scholarship established in 2010 is awarded to the most outstanding HUST's School of Electrical Engineering students for their achievement and their spirit to overcome difficulties while studying. Students who receive scholarships also have the opportunity to participate in international conferences sponsored by the ABB Group and be provided with help and vocational guidance in the learning process by ABB engineers in Vietnam.
We are doing our hardest to attract and develop people, building a firm launching pad for the future of ABB in Vietnam and for a better world.
5. Safety as the focal point of our operation
Since our establishment in 1993, the health and safety of our employees, contractors, customers and others affected by our activities is always a key priority for ABB. Our safety principle is: "deliver safely, on budget, on time, in full and to the right quality" with the long term goal being "stop hurting people", "have zero injuries" and "don't look the other way".
ABB in Vietnam has been putting tremendous effort in past years through the whole organization to strengthen our leadership and management of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), to build up high standard working process to ensure safety at the work site, to share best practice and drive a culture of a high safety environment. We strive to fully integrate health and safety into our operations by encouraging safety leadership at every level; recognizing that behaviour is key and that all incidents are preventable; and ensuring appropriate resources to achive world-class performance. Recently we achieved 2.2 million man-hours without injury.
Recently, the global initiative "Don't look the other way" launched by ABB Group has been communicated throughout ABB in Vietnam to stress the importance of taking immediate actions to address situations that violate health and safety standards, reaffirming ABB's commitment to health and safety. In the OHS battle, we aim at zero fatal and serious injuries, and a minimum of 1.5 unsafe situation findings per person in 2014. OHS management at branch offices and especially at project sites have to be enhanced with safety audit findings to be closed within agreed timeframe. The campaign reminds every single ABB employee to work safely and make sure the people around us also work safely.
6. Active social contribution - VNABB's commitment for sustainable development
Apart from the business side, ABB in Vietnam has taken care of Community Social responsibility with support for various organizations in Vietnam during 20 years of arriving in Vietnam.
The active involvement of ABB in implementing corporate social responsibility is shown in a wide range of ABB social contribution activities. Recently, we have participated in a number of activities such as renovation of the Peace Village in Hanoi in 2011, equipment donation and service support to Uong Bi Hospital (2012), sponsorship for Hoang Mai Electricity (May 2013), and Tet gifts for the patients at National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (2014).
The continued contribution to the society during the past 20 years since its establishment in 1993 shows how attentive ABB in Vietnam is to foster charitable activities. We always take serious consideration when concerning social contribution activities. We always try to find the best way to help the surrounding communities, with active participation from all employees in carrying on any charitable scheme. For example, in the warm-hearted scheme "ABB Home - Tet of Love" held at NIHBT in January 2014, Mr. Axel Kalt - Country Manager of ABB in Vietnam accompanied by other ABB members handed 175 gift sets to pediatric patients with blood diseases. Those little gifts convey the greatest love and New Year wishes from ABB members to all children and their families. The transformer that ABB sponsored to Hoang Mai Electricity to support the network up gradation project in 2013 also delivers that message that ABB is an active partner in giving back to the community and offering practical support for a better world.
All the contribution ABB in Vietnam has made towards a better society reaffirm the Company's determination to become a good citizen of the community. At the same time, it pushes ABB closer toward the society, ensuring its long-term development in the future.
7. The transformer factory & the completion of the 1000th power transformer
ABB is the world's largest manufacturer of transformers with over 16,000 employees working in more than 50 production facilities around the world. Our transformer factories in Hanoi are one of the key ABB transformer factories. Our two "state of the art" transformer factories operate on an area of 25,000 m2 and employ the latest equipment and production technology. One produces distribution transformers (rating up to 10 MVA, voltage up to 36 kV) while the other produces small power transformers (rating from 10 to 63 MVA, voltage up to 171kV).
The factory was built in 1994 for manufacturing of distribution transformers along with the establishment of ABB Joint Venture. In 1997, the Joint Venture Licence was extended to include Power Transformers manufacturing. The initial idea of transformer manufacturing was to supply the domestic market, was expanded to include overseas markets, with the strategic drive for export of transformers manufactured in Hanoi factory to the South Asian Seas region in 2005. ABB in Vietnam proves our commitment to the Vietnam market with further investment of US$ 5.7 million for DTR and US$2 million for SPT in 2013.
The transformer factory has now turned into a world class manufacturing facility that is developing a strong reputation in the region with export to many countries in Asia Pacific, serving satisfied customers from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Due to success in these markets, our recent exports now include orders and deliveries to the African continent. In 2013, more than 70% of the transformers produced in the transformer factory in Hanoi was exported to foreign markets, which shows great capacity of the factory to meet both domestic and overseas demand for transformers, and an increasing credibility ABB in Vietnam has delivered to global customers.
The year 2014 marks the 20th year of development of ABB in Vietnam, at the same time we are witnessing the production of the 1000th power transformer. This is an important highlight of the 20 year journey of ABB in Vietnam in general, and of the transformer factory in particular. Continuing with that pace of development, the factory's vision for 2013-2015 is to sustain world class transformer manufacturing by delivering values to our customers and communities through effective and compliant business practice that considers tomorrow's environment.
