ABB ROBOTICS BUSINESS acquired by SOFTBANK
Context
SoftBank Group Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement with Swiss industrial group ABB Ltd to acquire 100% of its robotics division via a comprehensive carve-out transaction, superseding the parent company's initial plan to pursue an independent public spin-off. Scheduled to close in mid-to-late 2026 subject to customary regulatory approvals in the European Union, the United States, and China, the transaction integrates a tier-one industrial hardware manufacturer into the acquirer's physical artificial intelligence portfolio. Operating metrics at the time of the agreement show the standalone robotics business employing approximately 7,000 people and generating $2.3 billion in revenue for the 2024 fiscal year, representing roughly 7% of ABB's consolidated group sales, with an EBITDA of USD313M and an operational EBITDA margin of 13.7%. Estimated transaction-related separation costs stand at approximately $200 million, alongside projected tax-related cash outflows between $400 million and $500 million for the carve-out of local operating subsidiaries. The business will be transferred to a newly established Zurich-based holding company led by Marc Segura, while Sami Atiya will step down from ABB's executive committee by the end of 2026. For ABB, the divestment generates an estimated pre-tax non-operational book gain of $2.4 billion, reclassifying the unit as discontinued operations from the fourth quarter of 2025 and allowing the seller to redeploy capital into core electrification and process automation businesses. For the acquirer, the acquisition provides critical manufacturing channels and hardware engineering capabilities intended to complement SoftBank's existing investments in AutoStore, Berkshire Grey, Agile Robots, and Skild AI to accelerate physical artificial intelligence development.
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Target
ABB Robotics operates as a specialized global engineering and industrial technology business dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and commercial distribution of advanced robotic automation systems. Originating from the broader Swiss-Swedish industrial engineering tradition, the company develops articulated arms, collaborative robots, motion controllers, and proprietary software designed to optimize industrial manufacturing processes. Its market positioning focuses on delivering high-precision automation hardware and digital solutions tailored to demanding end-markets, including automotive assembly, electronics manufacturing, logistics, and consumer goods. The business model integrates the distribution of premium mechatronics with comprehensive aftermarket lifecycle support, software licenses, and technical engineering services across international industrial hubs. Known for operational reliability, technical precision, and comprehensive integration capabilities, the enterprise delivers scalable automation architectures that facilitate the transition of modern manufacturing infrastructure toward connected, flexible, and intelligent production environments.
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 3b - 100b USD
Revenue range: 1b - 3b USD
EBITDA range: 250M - 500M USD
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).