ABB Logo PNG
The ABB logo is strong and solid. The emblem represents a broad-reaching leader. The symbol’s elements show a segmented approach, a developed network of subsidiaries, and growth in complementary niches.
ABB’s history began with two companies founded in different parts of Europe. In 1883, Ludwig Fredholm established Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget in Västerås, Sweden, producing electric lights and generators. The company later became known as ASEA and kept this name through most of the twentieth century.
On October 2, 1891, Charles Eugene Brown and Walter Boveri founded Brown, Boveri & Cie in Baden, Switzerland. BBC’s early work centered on electric motors for locomotives and power equipment for European railways. In 1891, Brown also took part in a major three-phase power transmission experiment with Mikhail Dolivo-Dobrovolsky. The 175-kilometer line built for the International Electrotechnical Exhibition in Frankfurt proved the practical use of high-voltage current transmission.
ASEA developed through infrastructure, energy, and automation projects. In 1926, it supplied electric locomotives and converter equipment for Sweden’s first electrified railway between Stockholm and Gothenburg. In 1968, after receiving an order for Sweden’s first nuclear power plant, ASEA merged its nuclear division with Atom-Energi to form ASEA Atom. In 1974, ASEA introduced the IRB 6, one of the world’s first industrial robots.
On August 10, 1987, ASEA and BBC announced their merger. ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd. began operating on January 5, 1988, with Percy Barnevik as CEO. The group united 850 subsidiaries and 180,000 employees in 140 countries. In 1989, ABB acquired Westinghouse Electric’s power transmission and distribution assets and agreed to buy Combustion Engineering. In 1990, it added Cincinnati Milacron’s robotics business. In 1994-1995, ABB and Daimler-Benz AG formed ABB Daimler-Benz Transport, and in 2017, ABB completed the acquisition of B&R.
Meaning and History
The ABB logo symbolizes constancy and loyalty. Since its inception, the symbol has remained unchanged. Because the companies that make up the conglomerate have operated separately for over a century, the symbol conveys monumental stability. The emblem aims to glorify the country that became the conglomerate’s home and to convey to customers the conglomerate’s reliability and confident position.
What is ABB?
The Swedish-Swiss company operates in motors, wiring products, automation for large mining, oil and gas, and metallurgical plants, robotics, and production digitization. Owns several hundred subsidiaries. Headquartered in Zurich.
1988-today
The company logo consists of three red capital letters, each made of separate elements.
ABB is an acronym. The conglomerate was formed by the merger of two large firms, ASEA (Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget) from Sweden and Brown, Boveri & Cie from Switzerland. The joint venture was named ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB). The first letter, A, stands for “General,” while the second and third letters, B, represent the surnames of the second company’s founders.
ASEA’s primary position in the name reflects its founding three years before Brown Boveri. The Swiss conglomerate’s merger also played a role. By contrast, ASEA was known for strong management. As a result, it took a leading management role in the partnership and logo.
Over time, the significance of the past names and surnames has faded, and the company is now associated with three indecipherable letters.
The lines separating each symbol make the emblem look like:
- A poster. The large image is made up of many individual pictures. This technique creates the impression of giant letters and suggests the conglomerate’s size. For the past 24 years, ABB has been a Fortune 500 company.
- Puzzle. Matching each part of the picture to its place parallels the collaborative work of numerous specialists, departments, and subsidiaries.
- Computer program. The analogy relates to the company’s computerization and its use of robotics.
The division of red letters into four parts with white stripes alludes to the Swiss flag, where the corporation’s headquarters is located. The cross theme echoes Sweden’s national symbol. The solution looks patriotic and shows respect for both countries.
The four parts also correspond to the conglomerate’s four segments: electrification, industrial automation, motors, and robotics.
Font and Colors
The red and white colors represent the company well, creating a tandem of leadership and innovation.
- Red represents love and passion for their work. ABB’s founders have been in the engineering industry for over a century and a half. They continue to delight customers with interesting solutions and offers.
- White represents the ability to start with a clean slate, renew, and keep up with the times.
This combination epitomizes the freedom, loyalty, and honesty embodied by the Swiss flag.
ABB Logo Color Codes:
- Red: Hex Code: #ee1c24; RGB Values: R:238, G:28, B:36; CMYK Values: C:0, M:88, Y:85, K:7; Pantone: PMS Bright Red C
FAQ
What does ABB stand for?
The company was originally formed by the merger of Sweden’s Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (Asea) and Switzerland’s Brown, Boveri & Cie, and was originally called Asea Brown Boveri. This name was later shortened to ABB.
What is ABB famous for?
For over 130 years, ABB and its predecessors have pioneered electrical innovation.
Who owns ABB?
Investor AB (publ) is ABB’s largest shareholder, with 14% of the shares. The next largest shareholders own 5.2% and 3.0% of the outstanding shares, respectively.
What is ABB’s legal name?
The company’s official name is ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd, organized under Swiss law. The company is officially incorporated in Zurich, Switzerland, and is identified by company number CH-020.3.