ABB Ltd to Acquire Rotork for $5.5 Billion

Swiss technology company ABB Ltd has agreed to acquire British actuator and flow control manufacturer Rotork plc in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $5.5 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Rotork shareholders will receive 503 pence per share, representing a premium of roughly 60% over the three-month average share price.

This transaction marks the largest acquisition in the history of ABB Ltd. The company plans to fund the purchase through a combination of existing cash, bank facilities, and approximately $4.8 billion in proceeds gained from the divestment of its Robotics business to SoftBank Group. Following the acquisition, Rotork will operate as a separate division within ABB's Automation business area.

CEO Morten Wierod stated that the deal provides a strategic fit to expand the company's automation offerings at the field device layer. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending the required shareholder vote and regulatory approvals.