ASEA

ASEA, short for Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, was a major Swedish electrical engineering and industrial company founded in Västerås in 1883 by Ludvig Fredholm. It began by manufacturing electrical lighting equipment and generators, and expanded rapidly after combining with Wenströms & Granströms Elektriska Kraftbolag. The enlarged company adopted the ASEA name and became one of Sweden’s most important technology manufacturers. Over its century of operation, ASEA developed a broad portfolio spanning consumer, industrial and infrastructure equipment. Its products included electrical irons, telephones, lighting products, ovens, workshop machinery, contactors, electric motors, motor circuit breakers, elevators, electric locomotives, overhead cranes, substations, transformers and hydroelectric generators. This range reflected the company’s evolution from an electrical-appliance maker into a diversified supplier of power-generation, transmission, distribution and industrial-automation systems. Technical development was central to ASEA’s identity. In the late nineteenth century, engineer Jonas Wenström worked on three-phase generators, motors and transformers, helping establish the company’s competence in power systems. ASEA later participated in major Swedish infrastructure projects, including the 1954 Gotland high-voltage direct-current demonstration, described as the first static HVDC transmission system. During the 1960s, it supplied equipment for most of Sweden’s nuclear power plants. The company also entered industrial robotics, introducing industrial robots in 1974, and developed electrical locomotives and other heavy equipment that continued to operate on Swedish infrastructure decades later. ASEA’s history also includes corporate restructuring and portfolio changes. Its elevator business was acquired by Kone in 1968. In 1987, ASEA acquired the Finnish electrical engineering company Oy Strömberg Ab and announced an agreement to merge with the Swiss company Brown, Boveri & Cie. The merger took effect on 1 January 1988, creating ABB, a new international electrical engineering group. ASEA’s former businesses subsequently became part of ABB or were separated and sold. Its household-appliance branch, Asea Cylinda, was sold to Finnish furniture maker Asko and renamed Asko ASEA. The ASEA corporate identity ended as an independent operating company with the ABB merger, but its engineering legacy remains visible in Scandinavian railways, power networks, industrial facilities and other infrastructure. Examples cited in reference material include Rc 4 freight locomotives operated by Green Cargo and Rc 6 passenger locomotives operated by SJ. ASEA is therefore best understood as a historical industrial brand and predecessor organization of ABB rather than as a current standalone consumer brand.

ASEA originated in Västerås in 1883, when Ludvig Fredholm established a company focused on electrical lighting equipment and generators. The business expanded after merging with Wenströms & Granströms Elektriska Kraftbolag and adopted the formal name Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget. The abbreviation ASEA became the company’s principal public identity. The firm’s early development was closely associated with engineer Jonas Wenström. In 1889, he worked on three-phase generators, motors and transformers, technologies that helped ASEA move beyond individual electrical appliances toward integrated power systems. Over time, the company manufactured an unusually wide range of electrical and mechanical products, including irons, telephones, lamps, ovens, lathes, drill presses, contactors, motors, motor circuit breakers and elevators. It also developed heavy industrial equipment such as electric locomotives, overhead cranes, substations, transformers and hydroelectric generators. ASEA became increasingly important in national infrastructure. Its work on the Gotland project in 1954 represented a major step in high-voltage direct-current transmission and is described as the first static HVDC system. In the 1960s, the company supplied equipment for nine of Sweden’s twelve nuclear power plants. These projects established ASEA as a significant engineering partner to utilities, transport organizations and industrial operators rather than simply an appliance manufacturer. The company continued to broaden its technology portfolio during the postwar period. It produced industrial diamonds in 1953 and entered industrial robotics in 1974. Its railway and power equipment became particularly durable elements of Swedish infrastructure. ASEA-built locomotives, transformers, hydroelectric generators and grid installations from the 1970s and 1980s remained in service decades later. Rc 4 freight locomotives and Rc 6 passenger locomotives are cited as visible examples of this continuing legacy on Sweden’s rail network. ASEA also changed through divestitures and acquisitions. Kone acquired its elevator business in 1968. In 1987, ASEA acquired Finnish electrical engineering company Oy Strömberg Ab. That same year it announced a merger with Swiss company Brown, Boveri & Cie. The transaction took effect on 1 January 1988 and created ABB, an international electrical engineering group. After the merger, ABB expanded further through acquisitions, including parts of Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s power-transmission and distribution operations and the Combustion Engineering Group. The merger marked the end of ASEA as an independent company, although its technologies, facilities and product heritage continued within ABB and successor businesses. The separate Asea Cylinda household-appliance branch was sold to Finnish furniture maker Asko in 1988 and renamed Asko ASEA. ASEA is consequently remembered as a predecessor of ABB and as one of Sweden’s foundational electrical engineering enterprises.

1. 1988ABB merger takes effect

   The merger with Brown, Boveri & Cie becomes effective on 1 January, creating ABB and ending ASEA’s independent corporate existence.

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2. 1987Oy Strömberg acquisition and ABB merger announcement

   ASEA acquires Oy Strömberg Ab and announces its planned merger with Brown, Boveri & Cie.

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3. 1974Industrial robotics introduced

   ASEA begins introducing industrial robots, adding automation to its electrical and heavy-industrial portfolio.

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4. 1954Gotland HVDC project

   ASEA participates in the Gotland high-voltage direct-current project, described as the first static HVDC system.

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5. 1889Three-phase electrical engineering work

   Jonas Wenström develops three-phase generators, motors and transformers associated with ASEA’s early power-engineering growth.

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6. 1883Company founded in Västerås

   Ludvig Fredholm establishes an electrical manufacturing business focused on lighting equipment and generators.

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A broad-based Swedish electrical engineering and industrial technology company serving both infrastructure operators and industrial customers, with particular strength in power systems, heavy electrical equipment, transport electrification and automation.

• Power generators and motorsPower equipment1883

  Generators and electric motors were central to ASEA’s business from its earliest years. The company’s development of three-phase generators, motors and related equipment helped it build expertise in electrical conversion and industrial power applications. This capability supported later work in hydroelectric generation, railway electrification and utility infrastructure.

• Transformers and substationsPower transmission and distribution

  ASEA manufactured transformers, substations and associated power-grid equipment for electricity transmission and distribution. These products formed part of the company’s transition from general electrical manufacturing to large-scale infrastructure engineering and remained among the most important elements of its industrial portfolio.

• HVDC systemsPower transmission1954

  ASEA’s work on the Gotland project demonstrated its competence in high-voltage direct-current transmission. The 1954 project is identified as the first static HVDC system and became an important milestone in the development of long-distance electricity transmission technology.

• Electric locomotivesRailway equipment

  ASEA built electric locomotives for the Swedish rail network, including locomotives in the Rc series. Rc 4 freight locomotives and Rc 6 passenger locomotives are cited as examples that continued operating many years after manufacture, demonstrating the durability and national importance of ASEA’s railway engineering.

• Industrial robotsIndustrial automation1974

  Introduced in 1974, ASEA’s industrial robots represented the company’s move into programmable automation. Robotics complemented its existing capabilities in motors, controls and industrial machinery and helped establish a technology lineage that continued within ABB after the 1988 merger.

• Electrical appliancesConsumer electrical products

  ASEA manufactured consumer and household electrical products including irons, telephones, lighting products and ovens. Its appliance activities were later separated from the company’s heavy industrial operations; the Asea Cylinda laundry-appliance branch was sold to Asko in 1988.

• 1988Disposition of Asea CylindaM&A

  ASEA’s household-appliance activities were separate from the core electrical infrastructure and industrial-engineering businesses.

  What changed. The Asea Cylinda laundry-appliance branch was sold to Finnish furniture maker Asko and renamed Asko ASEA.

  Aftermath. The appliance business continued under new ownership while the main ASEA organization became part of ABB.

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• 1987Acquisition of Oy Strömberg AbM&A

  ASEA was expanding its Nordic electrical engineering presence before its planned combination with Brown, Boveri & Cie.

  What changed. ASEA acquired Finnish electrical engineering company Oy Strömberg Ab.

  Aftermath. Strömberg became part of the business platform that led into ABB.

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• 1987Merger agreement with Brown, Boveri & CieM&A

  ASEA sought a larger international platform in electrical engineering and industrial technology.

  What changed. ASEA announced a merger with Swiss company Brown, Boveri & Cie.

  Aftermath. The merger took effect on 1 January 1988 and created ABB, ending ASEA’s existence as an independent company.

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• 1968Sale of the elevator business to KoneM&A

  ASEA operated across multiple electrical and industrial segments, including elevators.

  What changed. The elevator business was acquired by Finnish company Kone.

  Aftermath. The transaction reduced ASEA’s direct involvement in elevator manufacturing while Kone incorporated the business into its elevator operations.

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• 2017Scientific criticism of ASEA product claimsControversy

  Science-Based Medicine revisited criticism of ASEA's evidence base and marketing, arguing that published research did not substantiate the company's central health claims.

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• 2017Criticism of scientific substantiation and marketingControversy

  Harriet Hall and Science-Based Medicine criticized the lack of convincing published human evidence for ASEA's claimed health benefits and questioned the scientific basis and marketing of its central claims.

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• 2014ASEA Italy sanctioned by the Italian Competition AuthorityControversy

  The Italian Competition Authority sanctioned ASEA Italy for unfair business practices and imposed a €150,000 fine. The case concerned the structure of the sales opportunity, alleged emphasis on recruitment and personal purchases, and insufficient substantiation for curative product claims.

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• 2014Italian unfair-business-practices sanctionControversy

  The Italian Competition Authority fined ASEA Italy €150,000 for unfair business practices. The authority criticized the presentation of the distributor opportunity, alleged recruitment-centered incentives and personal-purchase requirements, and questioned the substantiation of curative product claims.

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• 1988ABB is created through the ASEA–Brown Boveri merger

  The merger takes effect on 1 January 1988, ending ASEA’s existence as an independent company and forming ABB.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 1988Asea Cylinda appliance business is sold to Asko

  ASEA’s household-appliance branch is bought by Finnish furniture maker Asko and renamed Asko ASEA.

  M&A
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• 1987ASEA acquires Oy Strömberg Ab

  ASEA acquires the Finnish electrical engineering company Oy Strömberg Ab as it expands its Nordic industrial platform.

  M&A
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• 1987ASEA announces merger with Brown, Boveri & Cie

  ASEA announces a merger with Swiss electrical engineering company Brown, Boveri & Cie, a transaction intended to create ABB.

  M&A
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• 1974ASEA introduces industrial robots

  The company enters industrial robotics and begins introducing robots for industrial applications.

  Product launch
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• 1968Kone acquires ASEA’s elevator business

  ASEA’s elevator operations are acquired by Finnish elevator company Kone.

  M&A
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• 1960ASEA supplies equipment for Swedish nuclear power plants

  During the 1960s, ASEA builds equipment for nine of Sweden’s twelve nuclear power plants.

  Other
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• 1954Gotland HVDC project begins operation

  ASEA contributes to the Gotland high-voltage direct-current project, identified as the first static HVDC transmission system.

  Product launch
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• 1953ASEA develops industrial diamonds

  ASEA creates industrial diamonds as part of its research and advanced-manufacturing activities.

  Product launch
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• 1933ASEA removes swastika symbol from its logo

  The company removes the swastika from its corporate logo because of the symbol’s growing association with Nazi Germany.

  Other
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• 1889ASEA develops early three-phase power equipment

  Jonas Wenström works on three-phase generators, motors and transformers, strengthening the company’s power-engineering capabilities.

  Product generation
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• 1883ASEA is founded in Västerås

  Ludvig Fredholm establishes the electrical manufacturing company that would become ASEA.

  Other
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1. ASEA
2. 对ASEA产品主张的科学批评