Acquisition expands ABB’s portfolio for container terminal automation to optimize cargo handling and tracking from ship to gate.

ABB, a leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire APS Technology Group (APS), a San Diego, California-based company that develops and markets solutions for the port industry. The acquisition will expand ABB’s crane system portfolio to the container terminal market. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013.

Established in 2002, APS employs approximately 50 full-time people in its headquarters in San Diego, California, and its office in Long Beach, California. APS is a leading global supplier of vision based automation solutions that identify containers, trucks, rail equipment, and other transport assets for ports and intermodal container facilities. These systems help container terminals, port authorities and shipping lines to streamline their operations by automating manual processes within gate, vessel, rail and yard operations.

This addition will help ABB to expand its crane systems portfolio for the container terminal and adjacent supply chain markets. APS will join ABB’s Process Automation division.

“The acquisition of APS is an important milestone for us to expand our terminal automation offering and provide our customers with added-value integrated solutions,” said Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s Marine and Cranes business unit. “This acquisition is a good strategic fit for our existing solution portfolio, and will further strengthen our product portfolio.”

 “Joining ABB will enable us to extend our support and engineering capabilities as we expand into new geographic regions,” said Russ Scheppmann, CEO and founder of APS. “Our customers will also benefit from ABB’s global reach in sales and service, and combined efforts in R&D projects.”

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 145,000 people.