SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of: September 2002
ABB Ltd
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
N/A
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Switzerland
(Jurisdiction of organization)
P.O. Box 8131, Affolternstrasse 44, CH-8050, Zurich, Switzerland
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, international:
+ 011-41-1-317-7111
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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This Form 6-K consists of the following:
1. Press release of ABB Ltd (the "Company"), dated September 18, 2002,
announcing the sale of the Company's metering business.
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Press Release
For your business and technology editors
ABB sells metering business for US$ 244 million
Sale is part of strategy to focus on power and automation technologies
Zurich, Switzerland, September 18, 2002 - ABB, the global power and automation
technology group, said today it has sold its metering business to Ruhrgas
Industries GmbH of Essen, Germany, for US$ 244 million on a cash and debt free
basis.
"Water and electricity metering is no longer a core business for ABB, and its
divestment is part of our strategy to focus on power and automation technology
products for our utilities and industry customers," said Jurgen Dormann, ABB's
chairman and CEO.
ABB said the proceeds from the sale would be used to further reduce its net
debt.
ABB's global water and electricity meter business is headquartered in Luton,
U.K., and employs about 3,800 people in more than 30 countries. The business,
part of the Automation Technology Products division, reported revenues of about
US$ 450 million in 2001.
The divestment is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable
utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering
environmental impacts. The ABB Group of companies has about 150,000 employees in
more than 100 countries.
For further information please contact:
Media Relations: Investor Relations:
ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich Switzerland: Tel. +41 43 317 3804
Wolfram Eberhardt Sweden: Tel. +46 21 325 719
Tel: +41 43 317 6512 USA: Tel. +1 203 750 7743
Fax: +41 43 317 7958 investor.relations@ch.abb.com
media.relations@ch.abb.com
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ABB LTD
Date: September 18, 2002 By: /s/ BEAT HESS
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Name: Beat Hess
Title: Group Senior Officer
By: /s/ HANS ENHORNING
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Name: Hans Enhorning
Title: Group Vice President