ABB Grows Wireless Communications Portfolio

June 11, 2012

After multiple acquisitions in Europe in 2011, ABB looks to build upon its recent Thomas & Betts North American deal with this acquisition of Tropos Networks, Inc.

Grant Gerke

Zurich-based ABB Inc. (www.abb.com) agrees to acquire Tropos Networks (gridcom.tropos.com), a Silicon Valley-based company that develops and markets wireless technologies and products for “distribution-area communication networks.” Tropos Networks technology reaches into wireless mesh routers, directional radio systems, 4.9 GHZ products, network management and gridcom architecture. The company currently employs 55 people in Sunnyvale, Calif.

With process-based plants being more aggressive in implementing wireless instrumentation and reducing costs, this acquisition looks to expand ABB’s footprint into the power, mining and public infrastructure industries in North America. A recent case application on Wireless implementation, "Ready or Not, Wireless is Here," details ABB's recent testing of energy-harvesting capabilities with sensors utilizing wireless communication (WirelessHART).

“Customers will benefit from the combination of Tropos’ wireless communications networks and ABB’s automation solutions and system design and implementation services, “says Tom Ayers, President and CEO of Tropos Networks. For Tropos, joining ABB will accelerate our ability to reach customers in new geographies and industrial sectors.”

Details on the acquisition price were not give and the deal is expected to close in the 3rd quarter of 2012.