ABB already employs about 500 people in the Triangle, nearly 900 in N.C., and an additional 1,200 in adjacent states.
Although the move is effective immediately, company officials say the transition will be gradual. ABB will transfer various executive and administrative functions to its new home over the next few years.
ABB chose Cary for its headquarter over four other U.S. cities. The new office will oversee more than 15,000 employees in operations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
"ABB already has a significant and growing presence in the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area in terms of proximity to some of our key customers, our employee base, and various divisional headquarters," said Enrique Santacana, president and CEO of ABB in North America. "After a thorough analysis of economic trends, commercial property rates and other cities, it became clear that there were many advantages in moving our headquarters to Cary."
ABB produces transmission and distribution equipment for power grids and renewable energy sources. The company also manufactures automation products and process automation systems.
