ABP Induction has celebrated its 20th anniversary with an official ceremony: On November 1, 2005, the company was spun off from the ABB Group and began a new future as an independent entity. Heike Marzen from the Economic Development Agency of Dortmund praised ABP Induction as a vital part of the city’s economy and emphasized the importance of innovation and sustainable development for Dortmund as a business location—qualities that ABP exemplifies. Ernst-Peter Brasse from the Dortmund Employers' Association highlighted the human factor: as a member of the association, ABP stands for sustainable wage agreements, transparent working conditions, and fair pay. ABP CEO Till Schreiter emphasized that the people at ABP make the difference and that the Dortmund location is part of the company's DNA.
Till Schreiter, CEO of ABP Induction, reaffirmed that Dortmund is “in our DNA,” and the company can look back on a 95-year tradition there. The regional connection, good infrastructure, and proximity to TU Dortmund are key success factors. Schreiter pointed to the installation of a large coil winding bench in 2012 as a clear commitment to the location.
Under the slogan “People, Technology, Success,” which was developed with employees, Schreiter described ABP’s unique corporate culture. “People” stands deliberately first: “It’s our people who make the difference.” This is reflected in long-term employment across generations, in active apprentice training, and in a healthy average age. ABP also leverages employee recommendations from friends and family to attract new talent.
On the technology front, Schreiter recalled milestones such as the world’s first 56-ton induction furnaces with 42 megawatts installed in China in 2012 – “revolutionary at the time” – and the 36-megawatt transverse field heating in 2014, which enabled new manufacturing processes. He stressed the importance of innovation and courage in pushing boundaries. Digital initiatives like the open portal myABP, launched in 2018, are examples of ABP’s early adoption of digitalization: “Today, you can't do without it.” It helps streamline processes, save energy, and preserve knowledge in the face of demographic change. By collaborating with partners, ABP can offer digital solutions globally and respond flexibly to global challenges. Schreiter expressed his deep gratitude to all employees and their families: “This success story wouldn’t be possible without your courage, skill, and commitment.” He closed by stating that while ABP is proud of its past, “our best days still lie ahead.”
From Corporate Subsidiary to Global Brand
20 Years of ABP: How Pioneering Spirit, People, and Courage Shaped a Company
Twenty years ago, a small team in Dortmund took a bold leap into the unknown: from the secure harbor of a global corporation to independence. Today, ABP Induction is an international technology brand with a clear vision, deep roots, and genuine entrepreneurial spirit.
“It was a leap into cold water,” recalls CEO Till Schreiter, reflecting on ABP Induction’s founding in 2005. Back then, the company broke away from ABB’s foundry division and embarked on its independent journey with the backing of a private equity investor. “Many still felt like ‘ABB people’—but at the same time, there was this determination: we’ll prove that we can make it on our own.”
The early years were marked by dynamism, courage, and a strong pioneering spirit. “New systems were introduced, international structures were built,” says CFO Bernd Bartelheimer, describing the massive efforts of the initial phase. He emphasizes: “This wasn’t just a local, but a global process—a truly monumental task.”
