1. The new manufacturing and research and development factory located in Nottingham, UK is planned to be completed and put into use in early 2025
2. With advanced technology, the new factory will significantly enhance Furse ® The production capacity of grounding and lightning protection solutions has been applied in more than 20 countries worldwide
3. Enhance ABB's manufacturing capabilities in Europe to ensure the stable operation of electrical protection systems for buildings, wind turbines, data centers, and critical infrastructure
Lightning and electrical surges can disrupt critical operations and cause billions of dollars in losses to building facilities and electrical equipment annually. Based on people's increasing dependence on electronic products and data centers, ABB will invest over $35 million (approximately £ 27 million) in Nottingham, UK to build a brand new factory dedicated to producing Furse ® Brand grounding and lightning protection solutions to meet the growing demand in the market. The factory is expected to be officially put into use in early 2025 and will deeply integrate advanced technology, flexible and efficient automated production systems, research and development testing platforms, and digital management processes, thereby significantly increasing production capacity, optimizing production efficiency, and promoting sustainable development.
ABB's electrical installation products currently occupy an area of 6300 square meters at the Nottingham Foundry, which has been in continuous operation for over a century since Furse was founded here in 1893. After the completion of the new factory, more than 100 employees will relocate from Nottingham Foundry to here. In addition to expanding its footprint to 9500 square meters, the new factory will also be built according to BREEAM Excellent sustainable building standards and equipped with efficient equipment technology, such as laying photovoltaic cells on the roof, installing electric vehicle charging stations, and reducing waste and saving energy. The factory space will also be carefully planned to optimize team collaboration and professional training environment, accelerate research and development pace, and promote the implementation of automation technology, thereby efficiently serving European customers and further enhancing ABB's inventory supply capacity in the global market.
It is estimated that there are approximately 1.4 billion lightning strikes worldwide each year, or over 42 lightning strikes per second. Even indirect lightning strikes located 1 kilometer away can trigger transient overvoltages, leading to catastrophic consequences such as fires, electric shocks, equipment damage, and costly power outages, resulting in production interruptions and economic losses. The Furse solution for ABB electrical installation products provides reliable grounding, lightning protection, electronic systems, and surge protection with excellent design and exquisite craftsmanship, building a safety line of defense for buildings and their internal electrical systems. These products are widely used in over 20 countries, covering multiple fields and environments from data centers and medical facilities to critical infrastructure, utilities, and renewable energy.
This important investment is rooted in Furse's 130 year deep technological foundation, which not only consolidates our leading position in grounding and lightning protection, but also drives us to continue moving forward and provide customers with safer and more reliable solutions. As a key part of ABB's global growth blueprint, we are determined to expand our own strength and scale, strengthen ABB's solid foundation in manufacturing, optimize the supply chain system, and promote the regional production of high demand electrical solutions, accurately matching the diversified needs of customers, installation companies, and distributors, "emphasized Khalid Mandri, Global President of ABB Electrical Installation Products, The completion of our new factory in Nottingham not only demonstrates our firm commitment to the industry we serve, but also gives back to the deep emotions of this land and community. It witnesses our steady operation for over a century and will motivate us to remain committed to becoming an excellent employer in the local area
Since 2020, ABB's electrical installation products have invested over $165 million worldwide, committed to increasing production capacity, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable development, with the aim of providing customers with the products they need more efficiently. At present, ABB's electrical installation products have six core bases in Europe, located in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Among them, more than a hundred elite employees are gathered in Nottingham, who are jointly committed to the development, testing, and production of Furse series solutions. The upcoming new factory is located in Fairham Business Park, covering an area of nearly five acres and within close proximity to ABB's existing Wilford Road factory. This advantageous geographical location not only provides a convenient working environment for employees, but also greatly facilitates access and communication with customers, suppliers, and distribution partners.
Andrea Castella, European Head of ABB Electrical Installation Products, said, "We will continue to delve into the full lifecycle solutions of electrification, grounding, and lightning protection, constantly pursuing excellence. Our new factory has achieved a leap in design concepts and technological applications, which not only allows us to steadily move towards the future, but also leads us to practice resource conservation, effectively reducing energy and water consumption, and closely matching ABB's core pursuit of circular economy and sustainable development in business operations
Based on its profound historical accumulation in the electrical field, ABB's electrical installation products are ingeniously crafted, creating a series of advanced solutions aimed at safely connecting and safeguarding electrical systems that provide inexhaustible power for business prosperity, urban pulse, home warmth, and smooth transportation. Nowadays, ABB's electrical installation products (formerly known as Thomas&Betts) have a product line of 38 high-quality brands, covering over 200000 products, distributed in every corner of the world and even in distant space.