SoftBank to Buy ABB's Robotics Unit in $5.38 Billion Deal
By Dominic Chopping
Japan's SoftBank Group agreed to purchase ABB's robotic business in a deal that values it at $5.38 billion, including debt, putting an end to the Swiss company's previous plans to spin off the unit.
ABB earlier this year launched plans to spin off the robotics business as it eyed a listing in the second quarter of next year. With limited business and technological synergies between robotics and the company's other divisions, and with different demand and market characteristics, the group expected a carve-out to support value creation.
"SoftBank's offer has been carefully evaluated by the board and executive committee and compared with our original intention for a spin-off," ABB Chairman Peter Voser said. "It reflects the long-term strengths of the division, and the divestment will create immediate value to ABB shareholders."
As a result of Wednesday's agreement, ABB's head of robotics and discrete automation and executive committee member Sami Atiya will leave ABB by the end of 2026.
Atiya will step down from ABB's executive committee at the end of 2025 and will continue to support the robotics business and the carve-out process in 2026 as a strategic advisor.
The SoftBank deal is subject to regulatory approvals and further customary closing conditions and is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 08, 2025 02:17 ET (06:17 GMT)
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