Lancaster, PA -- June 1, 2000 : ABB Flexible Automation, New Berlin WI, has announced the appointment of EMTROL Inc, Lancaster, PA, to its Global Partner Program for robot based automation. EMTROL becomes a preferred systems integrator for ABB Flexible Automation robots within the U.S. baked foods industry.

Ray Anater, Jr, EMTROL President, said, “This strategic alliance with a company of ABB's stature advances EMTROL's progress toward the goal of becoming the premier motion control and robotic system Integrator in the baking business. Building on our long list of successful projects and satisfied customers, we have already begun, jointly with ABB, to prepare proposals on a number of innovative automation projects in the baking industry.”

About EMTROL: EMTROL is a process and motion control engineering and manufacturing company that supplies advanced automation systems to the worldwide baking industry.

About ABB Inc: ABB Flexible Automation’s parent, ABB Inc., with U.S. headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., serves customers in automation; power transmission and distribution; oil, gas and petrochemicals; building technologies; and financial services. U.S. operations employ over 16,000 people at manufacturing and other facilities in 40 states. Worldwide, ABB Group reported revenues of $25 billion in 1999. With novel IT applications, tailored software solutions, growing eBusiness, and a fast-expanding knowledge and service base, ABB is building links to the new economy. The Group employs about 165,000 people in more than 100 countries.