I'm in Houston at the Hilton Americas for the fifth annual ABB Automation World user conference. Attendance here is about 2,200 users (up 30 percent from last year). Add in another 1,000 for ABB people, partners and press and it's a pretty big meeting. The theme is collaboration. Much emphasis on power and automation--the two strengths of ABB's portfolio. Lots of examples of "green" or energy conservation.
ABB Group CEO and CFO Michel Demere used his opening keynote in part reviewing the very fine performance of the group in 2007. "We just concluded a strategy review and concluded that we are in the right businesses at this time," he said. Orders in 2007 were up 19 percent over 2006 to $34 billion. "We are committed to our core businesses," he continued, noting that the company plans organic growth plus acquisitions that would close technology or geographical gaps. Growth in the US was also good for all sectors from the comments other executives made during the morning sessions.
The second keynote address was given by John Brantley, general manager, global chemical and petroleum/Industrial products industries at IBM. His company has been a strong partner of ABB, often contributing a keynote speaker and being a conference sponsor. He talked of collaboration and openness. One key point I gained from his talk was the importance open systems (technology) have for companies as they consolidate or acquire new companies and need to integrate systems. Since consolidation is a global trend, it becomes easy to see why companies such as IBM who formerly might have been staunch advocates of a proprietary approach now embrace open standards wholeheartedly.
Neil Duffin, president of ExxonMobil Development Co., gave the final keynote. His six key areas of growth are instructive for us all. First is safety leadership. Companies with good safety performance are also best business performers. He attributes this to both leadership and attention to detail. The second key is Execution Excellence, followed by technology then Local Investment. He took a few minutes to explain the value of a company investing in training, health and community building in the areas where it does business. Fifth key is education and training in general, given that most of his workforce could retire within 15 years. Attracting a diverse (ethnic, gender) workforce is a priority because a diverse workforce adds strength to a company. The final key is the environment from pursuing global standards to respect for sensitive areas to applying technology to solving environmental problems.
The convergence of Power and Control is a key technology and business trend for ABB. Not surprising since the company is strong in both. But I've tried to figure out projects a past life where there would have been value if the two areas could be brought together. This could be a key area of differentiation and customer value for ABB.
Noting ABB's strengths in energy--both in oil & gas and in power generation and use--Enrique Santacana, president and CEO of ABB Inc. (North America operating arm) said, "We are in the sweet spot of the market for the first part of the Twenty-first Century."
4:30:38 PM 
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