09-02-2004 ABB's launch of a new standard drive seems set, the company says, to reinforce its position as a market leader in AC drives:
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| The aim of the new product is to bring drive technology to new u |
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ABB is currently thought to be the world market leader in AC drives with a 16% market share. It is also the UK market leader, with an 18% market share.
"We are aiming for a 25% total market share, across all industries, by 2005 in the UK," said James Haigh, senior vice president, drives, at ABB.
While the company's new products in recent years have focused on performance, the just launched standard AC drive primarily aims to provide ease of use, broadening the appeal of AC drives to a wider audience.
"Our aim with this product is to bring drive technology to new user groups who only want the basics of reduced energy consumption and improved process control," says Haigh. "The new drive is just as easy to use as a mobile phone. Control of speed or flow just isn't going to get any less complicated, even with the most basic mechanical control systems."
"This is a product designed to bring down technology barriers," he continues. "Its small size makes it unobtrusive and a reduced number of features makes it easily accessible for users."
Special drives to the same basic standard design:
The company is also basing application specific drives on the design of the standard drive. The first one out is a drive targeted at HVAC applications, with industry specific software and other dedicated features.
"We are targeting the HVAC sector, because this is one of the fastest growing application areas for variable speed drives with over 12 percent of the global market for drives and an annual growth rate of 5%," explains Haigh. "By designing a product for a specific application area, we are taking simplification one step further. In the future, you may see other bespoke drives from us for other industry areas.
"We are not competing with product alone, however," Haigh continues. "An integral part of our offer is the added value services that we offer as a company, such as stocking, support and backup."
Larger stocks:
ABB is planning to stock the new drive in larger quantities than any before it, giving instant availability. It will be available around the clock from its channel partners, including ABB Drives Alliance, a network of drive specialists servicing and supporting drive users across the UK. The products are also supported and stocked around the world.
"This is the drive that the users have told us that they want, so we are pinning great hopes on this product," says Haigh. "Today, the vast majority of AC motors have no form of speed control, yet two thirds of industrial electric energy is used by motors. With vast potential energy savings in the balance, this is an issue that impacts both on the bottom line of companies and on the amount of CO2 emissions going into the atmosphere."
James Haigh has just been appointed as general manager for ABB’s Low Voltage Control Products business, based in Coventry. He takes over from Bob Allen, who is retiring after 30 years with ABB.
Contact: James Haigh
ABB Ltd.,
9 The Towers, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury,
Manchester M20 2AB
Tel: 0161 438 3036
Fax: 0161 445 6066
Email: enquiries@gb.abb.com
Web: www.abb.com/motors&drives
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