GOTEBORG, Sweden, Nov. 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Semcon (Stockholm:SEMC) and ABB's business areas for the auto and manufacturing industry in Olofstrom have joined forces in respect of construction and manufacturing. Semcon will be the Preferred Supplier in the areas of construction and manufacturing for the auto industry production equipment, known as Body-in-White and Press Automation.
Within the framework of the agreement, Semcon will employ a number of people previously laid off by ABB and Semcon will set up a local office in Olofstrom.
"By developing strong partnerships for technical cooperation, ABB becomes a better and more competitive supplier to the auto industry," said Kenneth Jonsson, Site Manager, Olofstrom, Automotive Industries in Sweden Business Area. Automotive Industry provides products, solutions and services to the auto industry. "Semcon will also contribute substantially in their offerings within areas like CE marks/manufacturing declarations, production of manuals and other comprehensive documentation. That's where Semcon is one of the strongest players on the Swedish market," he continued.
"By working together, we see an opportunity to reach more customers within the auto industry and also to implement ABB's concept in a number of other industries that need to improve efficiency in production," said Area Manager Peter M Nilsson at Semcon. "We will employ people from ABB and set up an office in Olofstrom because it is important to be on site close to our customers. In general we believe that this kind of directed cooperation is something that is becoming more important to the industry as they focus on their core business in combination with close cooperation with strategic partners who provide complimentary, prompt and strong competence."
ABB (www.abb.com) leads the field in energy and automation technology. Their solutions improve performance and minimize environmental effects for energy companies and industries. The ABB Group operates in more than 100 countries and has around 146,000 employees globally.
For more information please contact:
Pontus Westrup, Site Manager ABB Automotive Industries in Olofstrom tel: +46 (0)454 96600 Peter M. Nilsson, Area Manager Semcon Sweden AB tel: +46 (0)455 307550 Bengt Nilsson, CFO Semcon AB tel: +46 (0)704 47 28 68
Semcon is one of Scandinavia 's leading design and R&D consulting businesses with approximately 1600 employees and over SEK 1,100 million in sales in 2001. Semcon develops products, processes and human resources in partnership with leading industrial companies. The combination of profitability over the past twenty years and Semcon's long relationships with leading industrial companies forms the basis for continued success. Semcon AB (publ.) is listed on Stockholmborsen's O-list.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/21/20021121BIT00430/wkr0001.doc www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/21/20021121BIT00430/wkr0002.pdf