Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 30, ABB has inaugurated a new $35 million (£27 million) manufacturing and R&D facility in Nottingham, U.K., to expand production and research of its Furse® earthing and lightning solutions. These products protect critical infrastructure, including data centers, buildings, renewable energy installations, and transportation hubs, from lightning strikes and electrical surges, preventing costly disruptions and damage.

The 8,800m² (~95,000 sq. ft.) facility is more than 35% larger than ABB’s previous local office and factory, which had operated in Nottingham for over 130 years. The site houses advanced R&D labs, testing centers, collaboration areas, and a dedicated section for ABB’s Furse Surge Protection Device (SPD) product line. ABB plans for the facility to become a global center of excellence for lightning protection technologies, developing new solutions as safety and performance standards evolve.

Andrea Castella, Europe Region Leader, ABB Installation Products, said: “The increased frequency and intensity of severe weather events with lightning strikes, along with urbanization, and more stringent building and data center safety requirements, are driving demand for advanced earthing, lightning and surge protection solutions. The investment in our new Nottingham facility is part of ABB’s broader strategy to drive innovation and sustainability, expand manufacturing, and shorten supply chains to bring production and R&D closer to customers.”

More than 100 existing employees have relocated to the new purpose-built site at Fairham Business Park, which produces and distributes millions of Furse components annually to over 60 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and APAC. The facility integrates digital and renewable energy technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions, supporting ABB’s sustainability goals.

ABB has approximately 1,700 employees in the U.K. across more than 20 manufacturing, distribution, and operational facilities. The Nottingham investment was first announced in June 2024 and represents a key step in ABB’s strategy to enhance innovation, expand manufacturing capabilities, and provide closer, faster service to its customers.

The new site will focus on advanced earthing, lightning, and surge protection solutions to meet growing demand driven by urban expansion, data center development, and stricter safety standards. It will also serve as a hub for research, testing, and development, enabling ABB to develop next-generation solutions for evolving infrastructure needs.

ABB’s investment in Nottingham demonstrates the company’s commitment to regional manufacturing and R&D expansion, combining global expertise with local production. By centralizing R&D and manufacturing at a single, state-of-the-art facility, ABB aims to accelerate product development, increase supply chain efficiency, and enhance its capacity to meet global customer demand for lightning and surge protection solutions.