25 years Leading the Way in Traction Solutions
2026 is a special year for Traction business as we celebrate 25 years of being an independent traction system provider helping transport industry outrun leaner and cleaner.
In the late 1990s, ABB sold its rail business. At the production facility in Turgi, Switzerland, a small team of engineers reinvented themselves. Today, Traction is a leading independent traction solutions supplier delivering reliable and energy-efficient solutions for rail, off-highway, and marine transport.
Join us as we look back on 25 years upholding that purpose while move forward with conviction, inspired to redefine what’s possible, and create a lasting impact in the transportation industry.
The people who make up our heritage
A handful of people have helped shape Tractions’ history and development in various ways and make up our heritage.
Our 25-year track record reflects more than longevity — it reflects people. Over the years, dedicated individuals and teams crafted our journey, contributing through their long-standing expertise, shared values and vision to build the strong legacy we stand on.
Today, this heritage is carried forward by over 2000 employees, bringing together proven expertise and fresh perspectives to support our customers worldwide.
1990’s From Train builder to independent traction supplier
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1986
→ Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) establishes a production facility in Turgi, Switzerland for electrical drive systems for locomotives. This factory would become Traction's global center of excellence.
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1988
→ ASEA, Sweden and Brown, Boveri & Cie, Switzerland merge to form ABB. The combined entity inherits decades of traction technology from both predecessor companies.
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1996
→ ABB merges its rail engineering unit with Daimler-Benz to create Adtranz, temporarily the world's largest rolling stock maker. ABB supplied Adtranz with individual components such as power semiconductors and auxiliary converters.
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1999
→ ABB withdrew from Adtranz and sold its shares. Adtranz itself was acquired by Bombardier in 2001. ABB's supply of power electronic equipment for trains was therefore close to zero.
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2001
→ This zero point offered a new opportunity – one that would take a spectacular turn: ABB was now an independent player in the rail market.
2000’s Establishing the Traction BORDLINE® Compact Converter platform
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2002
→ ABB and Stadler Rail begin their collaboration. By 2015 this would grow to encompass more than 1,500 regional trains and 300+ light rail vehicles with ABB traction equipment.
→ ABB's current generation of traction converters enters production at the Turgi factory, establishing the BORDLINE® platform that continues to evolve today.
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2006
→ The BORDLINE® CC750 compact converter enters production for Stadler FLIRT and GTW regional trains serving SBB. It features integrated auxiliary converters in a single compact unit — a defining characteristic of the BORDLINE platform.
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2006-2009
→ Design phase for the Newag Dragon freight locomotive platform begins, with ABB providing the complete traction system
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2010
→ BORDLINE® CC1500 introduced for high-power applications
→ ABB delivers the first batch of IGBT-based traction converters to replace thyristor units on 38 Deutsche Bahn ICE 1 high-speed power heads.
2010’s Expanding manufacturing and introducing Traction batteries
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2010 - 2013
→ Manufacturing test facility for transformers opening in India.
→ Expansion continues in Europe with Italy, Poland and Germany manufacturing sites.
→ Acquisition of RGM, Genoa-based company specializing in power conversion components for railway vehicles.
→ ABB demonstrates its TOSA (Trolleybus Optimization System Alimentation) flash-charging technology for the first time.
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2014
→ Traction factory in Turgi named best factory in German-speaking countries.
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2015
→ BORDLINE® CC400 deployed for catenary-free streetcars in Dallas/Detroit in the United States.
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2016
→ Start the production of Battery Chargers BORDLINE®BC.
→ TOSA flash-charging wins first commercial order for fully electric buses on Geneva Line 23 in Switzerland.
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2017
→ Traction transformers manufacturing site opening in the United States.
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2018 - 2019
→ TOSA flash-charging technology is deployed in Davos, Switzerland - its first installation in an alpine city (1,550m elevation).
→ Modern production facility opening in Baden, Switzerland, dedicated to manufacturing energy storage systems (ESS)
2020’s Serving new industries
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2021
→ ABB and Hitachi Construction Machinery announce collaboration to develop an electric rigid dump truck with customized onboard energy storage using ABB's high-power battery and DC/DC converters.
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2022
→ The First Mode/Anglo American proof-of-concept ultra-class haul truck with ABB battery and converter technology debuts at Anglo American's Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa.
→ The first Polish hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive, built by PESA in cooperation with ABB, enters testing. ABB provides electrification components for the hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain.
→ Acquisition and integration of PowerTech Converter (PTC) business, expanding ABB Traction division’s market access and complementing its product portfolio.
→ Introduction of Auxiliary converters BORDLINE®PB
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2023
→ First Mode orders traction batteries lithium-ion battery systems (totaling 2.6 MWh) from ABB for zero-emission mining haul trucks.
→ ABB's Traction Battery surpasses 550 railway vehicle deployments globally, spanning light rail to heavy haul locomotives.
→ ABB introduces the Pro Series Traction Battery.
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2024
→ The first prototype of the Hitachi CM/ABB fully electric haul truck (using ABB battery technology and DC/DC converters) is shipped to First Quantum Minerals' Kansanshi copper-gold mine in Zambia for field trials.
→ ABB completes the world's first retrofit conversion of a diesel haul truck (Euclid R85B) to fully electric for Nuh Cement in Turkey.
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2025
→ Introduction the AMXE Marine Motor for open-deck and electric propulsion applications.
→ Maryborough Traction Centre of Excellence opens the first local production of traction and auxiliary converters in Australia.
→ Acquisition of Brightloop expanding its off-highway vehicle and marine electrification business.
What’s next? 2026 and beyond
From silicon carbide converters and next-generation battery systems to reliable, modular solutions, these innovations are redefining what’s possible - pushing new limits in energy efficiency, power density, and lifecycle performance across rail, off‑highway, and marine applications. The same engineering expertise and independent partnership model that reshaped traction technology in railway is now accelerating the electrification of mining and marine transport - helping these industries outrun leaner and cleaner.
Amina Hamidi, President Traction division, ABB
Traction solutions
ABB delivers reliable and energy-efficient solutions for rail, off-highway and marine transport. From traction converters and motors to batteries, our technologies help move people and goods safetly and sustainably. Explore our portfolio to learn how we’re powering the future of mobility.