ABB breaks ground on ABQ manufacturing site

ABB Installation Products broke ground earlier this month on a new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, where the company will produce its Elastimold cable accessories to connect and protect electric systems.

The 90,000-square-foot site will require a more than $40 million investment and create 55 local jobs, according to an ABB spokeswoman. The company plans to use robotics technology and digital automation to produce its Elastimold solutions units.

The jobs will primarily be in production, engineering and quality specialists roles, said Mary Montano, ABB's human resources business partner.

"As a global technology leader and a top employer in Albuquerque, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and opportunities for talented professionals to enable them to continue to grow in their careers," she said in an email. "To ensure we are competitive with the market, we continually assess our compensation package and regularly benchmark our roles with the industry and area."

ABB, which was formerly Thomas & Betts, plans to start production in Albuquerque in late 2024. The cable accessory product aims to improve grid hardening and help utilities meet increasing electric demands and extreme weather conditions which are straining aging infrastructure.

“ABB’s investment in a new manufacturing facility expands our production capabilities and doubles our capacity to support utilities in revitalizing the US energy infrastructure and tackling climate solutions,” Ralph Donati, an external vice president and U.S. and Latin America Region Leader, ABB Installation Products Division, said earlier this month. “Today’s groundbreaking also commemorates 50 years as a leading employer in Albuquerque with the creation of 55 new full-time jobs, underscoring our commitment to New Mexico and role as a top 10 manufacturing employer in the state.”

The company already has a large presence in Albuquerque with more than 450 employees, according to an ABB news release. The manufacturing facility will be built on ABB's existing 40-acre campus on the 6600 block of Bluewater NW where it develops, tests and produces a range of products that are used by utilities to protect and improve the reliability of electrical systems.