Disposal

ABB Ld
16 November 1999


ABB divests two cable businesses in Norway, Sweden


High-voltage cables, specialized cables for subsea oil and gas applications not
included in the transaction

Zurich, Switzerland, November 16, 1999 - ABB, the global technology company,
announced today it has agreed to sell two cable companies in Norway and Sweden
to Draka Holding N.V, a leading cable manufacturer based in Amsterdam, the
Netherlands.  The two companies, ABB Kabel in Nassjo and Ystad, Sweden and ABB
Norsk Kabel in Drammen, Loesmoen and Ames, Norway, have a combined annual
turnover of approximately US$ 210 million and employ some 850 people.  The value
of the transaction was not disclosed.  The sale is subject to regulatory
approvals in the respective countries.

The two companies make cable products used in a variety of applications,
including installations in office and commercial buildings, homes and factories,
in electricity distribution system, the oil and gas industry and in computer and
telecommunications networks.  Draka Holding is a leading cable manufacturer with
about 8,000 employees and activities in more than 20 countries.

The transaction does not affect ABB's high-voltage cable business, which
develops and manufactures products primarily for long-distance power
transmission projects.  Also not included are subsea cables used for
High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power transmission and in the offshore oil
and gas sector, as well as the specialized cables used in ABB's new high-voltage
Powerformer generator and Dryformer power transformer.

Goran Lindahl, ABB's President and CEO, said the divestiture was in line with
the company's efforts to focus on businesses that have clear synergies with
other parts of the company, and to build on its technology leadership.  'Draka
is a strong partner who will be able to grow this business even further,'
Lindahl said.  We will concentrate on cable technologies that can be applied to
core areas like power transmission and offshore oil and gas, and where we have a
clear technology lead, as we do for example with the Powerformer.'

'These two companies have a leading position in the Nordic cable market and will
be a solid base for consolidating our strong position in Europe, especially in
the Nordic countries together with Draka's Finnish and Danish operations' said
Jan van Kesteren, Chairman of Draka's Board of Management. 'This acquisition
fits our strategic goals as the companies have strong management and good growth
potential.'

ABB  is a globalized technology and engineering company
serving customers in power transmission and distribution; automation; oil, gas,
and petrochemicals; industrial products and contracting, and in financial
services.  Power generation customers are served by the joint venture ABB ALSTOM
POWER.  The ABB Group employs about 170,000 people in more than 100 countries.