ABB has agreed to sell its Robotics division to SoftBank Group and change its reporting structure as part of the process.
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Zurich-based ABB, a technology company in electrification and automation, announced that it has signed an agreement to sell its Robotics division to SoftBank Group Corp for an enterprise value of $5.375B (nearly €4.62B).
The Swiss company will not move forward with its earlier plan to spin off the division as a separately listed entity.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. ABB expects the sale to be completed in mid-to-late 2026.
Peter Voser, Chairman of ABB, says, “SoftBank’s offer has been carefully evaluated by the Board and Executive Committee and compared with our original intention for a spin-off. It reflects the long-term strengths of the division, and the divestment will create immediate value to ABB shareholders.”
“ABB will use the proceeds from the transaction in line with its well-established capital allocation principles. Our ambitions for ABB are unchanged, and we will continue to focus on our long-term strategy, building on our leading positions in electrification and automation.”
Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, adds, “SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI. Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence and robotics —driving a groundbreaking evolution that will propel humanity forward.”
ABB to restructure reporting
Following the signing of the agreement to sell its Robotics division to SoftBank Group, ABB will modify its reporting structure and operate under three business areas. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2025, the Robotics division will be classified as Discontinued operations.
The Machine Automation division, which currently operates with ABB Robotics under the Robotics & Discrete Automation business area, will be integrated into the Process Automation business area.
Upon completion of the transaction, ABB expects a non-operational pre-tax book gain of about $2.4B and cash proceeds, net of transaction costs, of about $5.3B. The company estimates separation costs related to the divestment at around $200M, with about half already included in its 2025 guidance.
ABB’s current estimate of transaction-related cash tax outflows tied to the local business carve-out is between $400M and $500M.
Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB, says, “SoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees. ABB and SoftBank share the same perspective that the world is entering a new era of AI-based robotics and believe that the division and SoftBank’s robotics offering can best shape this era together.”
“ABB Robotics will benefit from the combination of its leading technology and deep industry expertise with SoftBank’s state-of-the-art capabilities in AI, robotics and next-generation computing. This will allow the business to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in its field.”
Brief about ABB Robotics and ABB Group
ABB Robotics operates in automation. The company has stated that there are limited business and technology synergies between ABB Robotics and other ABB businesses, which have different demand and market characteristics.
ABB Robotics has a workforce of about 7,000. In 2024, it recorded revenues of $2.3B, representing about 7 per cent of ABB Group revenues, with an Operational EBITA margin of 12.1 per cent.
ABB operates in electrification and automation. Through engineering and digitalisation expertise, ABB supports industries in improving performance and efficiency. The company refers to this as “Engineered to Outrun.”
ABB has operated for more than 140 years and employs about 110,000 people. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
