ABB drives ahead in HVAC market

ABB reports increasing to 30% its market share of drives for HVAC applications in the UK. The company has been in this market for only three years. The HVAC business is now making a healthy contribution to ABB’s sales of drives. Over the last three years, the factory output of drives up to 100 kW grew by 67% — most of which is due to increased sales in HVAC. Nick Thorne, HVAC drives sales manager, says, ‘Although we were newcomers on the market in 2002, there has been little resistance to change amongst customers. The only obstacle to change is when there are existing frame agreements in place. ABB’s presence in the market has put pressure on prices, which have fallen by some 20% over the last year.