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ABB today announced that it has signed an agreement to divest its robotics division to SoftBank Group for an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, and will no longer pursue its previous intention to spin off the business as an independent public company. The transaction is still pending regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to be completed in mid-to-late 2026.
ABB Chairman Peter Voser said: "SoftBank's offer has been carefully evaluated by the board and executive committee and compared with our original intention to spin off the business. It reflects the long-term strengths of the division, and the divestment will create direct value for ABB shareholders. ABB will use the proceeds from the transaction according to its established capital allocation principles. We remain committed to ABB's ambitions, and will continue to focus on our long-term strategy, consolidating our leading position in electrification and automation."
ABB CEO Morten Wierod added: "SoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees. ABB and SoftBank share the same view that the world is entering a new era of AI-based robotics, and believe that the division and SoftBank's robotics products can best shape this era together. ABB Robotics will benefit from combining its leading technology and deep industry expertise with SoftBank's state-of-the-art capabilities in artificial intelligence, robotics and next-generation computing. This will enable the company to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in this field."
SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said: "SoftBank's next frontier is physical artificial intelligence. Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision of integrating artificial intelligence and robotics to drive breakthrough developments that advance humanity forward."
Due to the signing of the agreement, ABB will adjust its reporting structure and move toward three business areas. As of the fourth quarter of 2025, the robotics division will be reported as a discontinued operation. At the same time, the Machine Automation division, which currently forms part of the Robotics and Discrete Automation business area together with ABB Robotics, will become part of the Process Automation business area. After the transaction is completed, the divestment will generate a non-operating pre-tax book gain of approximately $2.4 billion, with expected cash proceeds of approximately $5.3 billion after deducting transaction costs. Expected separation costs related to the divestment are approximately $200 million, about half of which are already included in the 2025 guidance.
ABB Robotics is an industry leader, at the heart of long-term and future automation trends, as mentioned above, the business and technical synergies between the ABB Robotics business and other ABB businesses are limited, with different needs and market characteristics. ABB Robotics division has approximately 7,000 employees. Revenue for 2024 was $2.3 billion, accounting for about 7% of ABB Group's revenue, with an operating EBITA margin of 12.1%.
Original title: ABB to divest its robotics division to SoftBank Group for $5.375 billion
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