Acquisition

ABB Ltd
13 September 2000



ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich      ABB Investor Relations, Zurich
Thomas Schmidt                            Pia Irell
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ABB acquires Cellier Engineering Group of France

Process automation company to strengthen Industrial IT offering


Zurich, Switzerland, September 13, 2000 - Global technology group ABB  said
today it is acquiring Cellier Group S.A., a unit of Groupe ICBT of France.
Cellier is a process automation company based in Aix-les-Bains that employs
about 175 people.

The company designs and installs complete production units and industrial
process and control systems for the paper, lubricants, paint, oil and chemical
industries. Cellier also delivers software that allows control systems made by
different companies to communicate easily with one another. This open
communication is a key element of ABB's Industrial IT concept to create the
fully integrated enterprise, in which all systems - from order processing,
material supply and production scheduling through to delivery and administration
- are linked together, can communicate with each other, and can be easily
monitored and controlled from a single work station.

ABB said the acquisition will be integrated within its Automation segment. Apart
from its contribution to the Industrial IT business, Cellier also broadens ABB's
product range and opens new market opportunities for other ABB products. ABB
said it intends to market Groupe Cellier's engineering expertise worldwide.

'This acquisition fits well with our existing automation business and technology
portfolio,' said Jorgen Centerman, Executive Vice President and head of ABB's
Automation segment. 'This is a company with solid IT expertise that will bolster
our Industrial IT offering and build our position in a number of important
industry markets.'

The ABB Group (www.abb.com) serves customers in power transmission and
distribution; automation; oil, gas, and petrochemicals; building technologies;
and in financial services.  With novel IT applications, tailored software
solutions, growing eBusiness and a fast expanding knowledge and service base,
ABB is building links to the new economy. The ABB Group employs about 160,000
people in more than 100 countries.