ZURICH, Switzerland, May 15, 2026 – ABB signed an agreement to acquire Specialtrasfo S.p.A., adding converter and rectifier transformers to its Motion High Power division. The deal brings ABB a transformer business with three manufacturing sites in northern Italy, 130 employees, and an installed base across more than 70 countries.
Specialtrasfo was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Agrate Brianza, near Milan. The company generated about 80 million euros in revenue in 2025, with ABB accounting for around half through its integrated powertrain offering.
“ABB and Specialtrasfo’s decades-long commercial relationship is a testament of the trust ABB has in the technical expertise, proven quality and reliability of the transformers they produce,” says Juha Koskela, president of ABB’s Motion High Power division. “This strategic acquisition expands our offering and strengthens our supply chain resilience in high‑demand transformers, reinforcing ABB’s ability to provide reliable, integrated solutions. By combining high‑power motors, drives and transformers in a single, high‑quality portfolio, we continue to help customers meet their specific industry requirements with confidence”.
Specialtrasfo designs custom transformers for energy, marine, metals, mining, industrial processing, and offshore applications. The transformers support power conversion, control, and stable system performance in industrial powertrain systems. ABB plans to close the transaction in Q3-2026 and integrate the business into its Motion High Power division. According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand is expected to double by 2050, driven by rising industrial electricity use and the expansion of data centers and AI.
Source: ABB
About ABB
ABB is a global technology company specializing in electrification and automation, with headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland, and Västerås, Sweden. Formed in 1988 through the merger of ASEA and Brown, Boveri & Cie, ABB operates in more than 100 countries and serves sectors such as utilities, transportation, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Its portfolio includes robotics, industrial automation systems, electrification products, and motion solutions. The company draws on engineering and digitalization expertise to help industries improve performance and operate efficiently. ABB has a history of more than 140 years and employs about 110,000 people worldwide.
About Specialtrasfo
Specialtrasfo is an Italian transformer manufacturer based in Agrate Brianza, Italy. The company traces its roots to Milan in 1946, when the Pivi brothers founded the original transformer business. The Specialtrasfo name began in 1985. The company designs and manufactures custom power transformers for industrial and energy applications, including rectifier, converter, furnace and special power transformers. It also provides maintenance, repair, inspection and re-engineering services. Specialtrasfo serves customers in industry, LNG, renewables, offshore, power and marine markets. Its transformers support power conversion and voltage regulation in specialized electrical systems. The company produces dry-type and liquid-filled transformers. It serves customers in more than 70 countries. Since 2000, it has manufactured more than 2,100 transformers. Its installed capacity exceeds 22,000 MVA across five continents. The company has 130 employees.