ABB sponsored schools completed in earthquake stricken region in Sichuan

Guanghan City, Sichuan, April 13, 2010 –ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today held a ceremony to hand over the first two schools it sponsored as part of its support of post-earthquake reconstruction in Sichuan. A total of 2,500 students from Gaoping Town ABB Middle School in Guanghan City and Jiqing Town ABB Primary School in Zhongjiang County, Deyang City will move into the modern classrooms built with the financial support of ABB.

Bernd Muehe, Senior Vice President of ABB China, spoke at the hand over ceremony for Gaoping Middle School, “I am overjoyed that so many students will be able to study in a safe and comfortable environment. This achievement is the joint effort of ABB, the local government, and China Red Cross. We understand that post-disaster reconstruction is a long-term endeavor, and we will continue to contribute to the earthquake-stricken region in the future.”

The newly completed schools each cover more than 3,000 square meters. Not only are they 1,000 square meters larger than the old buildings, but they can also withstand earthquakes up to 8.0 on the Richter scale. The new Gaoping School has 16 classrooms and computer labs, multimedia classrooms, and audio-visual education rooms. The school’s facilities have been greatly improved to meet modern education standards. The new buildings were designed with safety, practicality and architectural aesthetics in mind, making it one of the most outstanding middle schools in Sichuan province.

Jiqing Town Primary School has 25 standard classrooms and 18 function rooms. Its specialized facilities will enable students to develop interests in nature, science, and technology and keep mental health.

The construction was financed with RMB 7.7 million in donations from ABB China through the China Red Cross in 2008. ABB has designated specialized staff to supervised the campus design, project tendering, and construction so as to guarantee the quality and safety of the schools. Thanks to the conscientious work of everyone involved, the two schools were completed in just over a year. The second pair of ABB-sponsored schools are expected to be finished in October.

In the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake, ABB quickly responded to the rescue and reconstruction efforts with financial assistance and other support for schools, students and residents in the region. To date, ABB has donated over RMB 11.45 million to residents and local power facilities.

Bernd Muehe added, “Education is a prerequisite for China’s long-term development. In trying to rebuild an area devastated by natural disaster, education becomes even more important. ABB has always been committed to promoting education and cultivating talent in China. We attach great importance to the recovery of education as part of post-disaster reconstruction and continue to do our utmost to contribute to this process.”

ABB consistently supports education in China in various forms and actively promotes the development of all types of qualified technicians with practical experience. Beginning in 2005, ABB has annually donated RMB 1 million to the ABB-New Great Wall Foundation to support underprivileged students majoring in the fields of power and automation. To date, ABB has donated over RMB 5 million in total, benefiting over 1,500 college students in 37 universities. In addition, ABB has partnered with several Chinese universities to set up scholarships and Power Technology Training Centers for cultivating industry talent.

The company also pays attention to cultivating skilled workers by integrating the development of local technicians with the demands of enterprises. Since 2007, ABB has cooperated with local vocational schools in Chongqing and Xiamen. ABB provides financial and faculty support, as well as opportunities for internships, helping to accelerate the growth of skilled workers so as to address the market shortage for technicians.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 117,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including research and development, manufacturing, sales and services, with 15,300 employees, 30 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 60 cities.