ABB & Baldor to Market Drives and Motors in U.S. Through Same Sales Force

ABB and Baldor said they would use a single U.S. sales force to sell and support the complete line of ABB and Baldor low- and medium-voltage industrial drives and industrial electric motors. The companies said in a press statement that this will offer customers a single point of contact for ABB and Baldor industrial motors, drives and generators; 24-hour local sales and service; the broadest range of industrial drives and motors in the marketplace from one source; and a full line of products for energy-efficient motor-driven systems. ABB Ltd finalized a deal in Jan. 2011 to buy Baldor for $4.2 billion.

One NEMRA rep who requested anonymity said his company and all other independent manufacturers’ reps selling the ABB product lines covered by this move were terminated this week.

Aaron Aleithe, V.P. and general manager for ABB US’ Low Voltage Drives business unit, said in a press release that this decision will make buying industrial motors and drives easier for customers.

Ron Tucker, Baldor’s CEO and president, said in the same release, “By pairing a Baldor premium-efficient motor with an ABB industrial drive, customers have the opportunity to further decrease their energy consumption significantly. ABB and Baldor both have a long history of manufacturing industrial electric motors and drives. Together, we believe we can take better care of our industrial customers than anyone else.”