ABB wins repeat order from Beijing Metro

Beijing, January 8, 2006 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group announced today that it has won a $ 4.85 million order to offer MNS low voltage switchgears to Beijing Metro Line 4 project. The reward decision is based on ABB’s success in Beijing Metro Line 1, Line 2 and Batong Line projects. The new order will help ABB make further contribution to the development of Beijing rail transit network. Under the terms of the contract, above 600 sets of MNS low voltage switchgears will be delivered to Beijing Metro in two batches in September and November of 2007.

“We are delighted to contribute once again to the construction of the rail transit network in the capital city,” said Poh Cheng Gay, head of ABB’s Low Voltage Product & System business unit in China and president of ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co., Ltd. “Beijing Metro projects are well-known for their strict requirements for world-class technologies and products, which are crucial to the reliable operation of the underground transportation in Beijing and improving its traffic conditions.”

Compared with the other means of public transport, urban rail transit has long been regarded as the permanent cure to traffic jam in Beijing with its “space-saving, high carrying capability, little pollution and energy-efficient” features. Quickening the step of metro construction is essential to the social and economic development in Beijing. Listed among key infrastructure construction projects in Beijing, Beijing Metro Line 4 is the second artery of Beijing north-south traffic.

The cooperation between ABB and Beijing Metro started in 1996 when Beijing Metro ordered more than 300 sets of MNS low-voltage switchgears from ABB Xiamen LV Equipment Co., Ltd. (CNILX) for its Loop Line reconstruction and Fuba Line expansion projects. The superior performance of ABB’s products with advantages of easy operation and maintenance as well as our compact and effective configuration schemes are main factors in helping ABB win the repeat order from Beijing Metro, which will reinforce the cooperation between the two sides.

Founded in 1994 CNILX is the only company in China licensed by ABB Group to manufacture Emax series Air Circuit Breaker (ACB). CNILX’s MNS switchgear and ACB releaser (Megamax F/Emax) are rated as products exempt from inspection according to the recently released report on inspection-free products for 2006 by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of People's Republic of China. CNILX has become No. 1 manufacturer of low voltage switchgears with the largest sales volume in China. The company has delivered its high quality products to many key metro projects in China, including Guangzhou Metro Line 4 and 5 projects.

ABB has been playing an essential role in many key metro projects throughout China. Its MNS low-voltage switchgears, medium-voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS), traction converters, and RESIBLOC® dry transformers have been widely equipped in Changchun Light Rail's Phase II project, Guangzhou Metro Line 2, 3 and 5 projects, Shenzhen Metro Phase I project, Shanghai Metro and Tianjin Metro Line 1 projects, ensuring the reliable and stable operation of these Metro lines.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 107,000 people worldwide. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including manufacturing, R&D, sales and service, with 10,000 employees, 26 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 38 cities. To know more about ABB, visit www.abb.com.cn.