ABB expert honoured with the “Shanghai Magnolia Award” for second consecutive year

Shanghai, September 3, 2009 –ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced Richard Suurland, President of ABB Electrical Machines Ltd., was presented the “2009 Shanghai Magnolia Award” by the Shanghai Municipal Government. Suurland was the second consecutive ABB foreign expert so honoured, after Chai Ko-Hein, General Manager of ABB Shanghai Motors Co. Ltd., won this award in 2008.

The “Shanghai Magnolia Award” is presented annually by the Shanghai Municipal Government to honour expatriates who have made outstanding contributions to Shanghai’s social and economic development and foreign exchange. After a careful evaluation process, the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai presented the award to Mr. Richard Suurland and this year’s other winners.

Mr. Richard Suurland said, “This award is not only an honour for myself, but also signifies the recognition of the entire staff at ABB and our contributions to the modernization of Shanghai. The magnolia is the official flower of Shanghai, representing an enterprising spirit and the pursuit of excellence. Driven by this spirit, ABB employees around China are dedicated to the healthy development of the local economy.”

Mr. Chai Ko-Hein, the winner of last year’s award said, “I am pleased that an ABB colleague has received the award again this year. I urge everyone to join with ABB staff to positively contribute to the development of China’s economy and society in a sustainable way”.

Both Mr. Richard Suurland and Mr. Chai Ko-Hein are senior executives at ABB China and have spent over 10 years in China. Under their leadership, the two companies have experienced fast development and ABB Shanghai Motors Co. Ltd. has been ranked among “China’s Top 100 Electric Companies” several times. These two companies not only meet the growing demand of local customers but also ship their products to overseas markets in Europe and America, helping promote the competitiveness of “Chinese Manufacturing”.

Today, ABB operates 27 local companies in China, with lots of expatriate experts based in the country, contributing to China’s economic development and winning wide acknowledgement from local governments. In 2005, Mr. Peter Leupp, Head of Power System Division of ABB Group and former Chairman and President of ABB China, received the “Shanghai Magnolia Award.” Mr. Bernd Muehe, Senior Vice President of ABB China and Mr. John Yung, General Manger of ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co., Ltd., and Mr. Poh Cheng Gay, General Manager of ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co., Ltd have all been granted honorary citizenship by the Xiamen Government. Mr. Gay also won the “2008 Xiamen Egret Friendship Award.” In addition, ABB wind power expert Veikko Ylermi Hyvarinen was awarded the “Honorary Award for Foreign Expert in Liaoning Province” in 2008.

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 120,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 15,000 employees, 27 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 60 cities.