Ulrich Spiesshofer

Ulrich Spiesshofer
Ulrich Spiesshofer in the boardroom at ABB headquarters, Zurich
Born	Ulrich Spießhofer (1964-03-26) 26 March 1964 Aalen, Germany
Nationality	German, Swiss
Alma mater	University of Stuttgart (MBA, PhD)
Occupation	CEO of ABB Group
Children	2

Ulrich Spiesshofer (born 26 March 1964), is the chief executive officer of the ABB Group, a leading power and automation technology company, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. He took up the role on 15 September 2013, succeeding Joe Hogan. Previously, Spiesshofer had headed ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division, which includes the company’s robotics, power conversion, motors and drives businesses.

Early life and education

Spiesshofer was born in Aalen, in the southwestern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. He holds a PhD in economics as well as a Master’s degree in business administration and engineering from the University of Stuttgart.

Career

From 1991 to 2002, Spiesshofer worked for AT Kearney management consultants, rising to become the managing director of AT Kearney International, during which time he ran consulting businesses in industries including oil and gas, utilities, telecommunications and automotive, in Europe, Asia and the Americas. He then spent three years as a senior partner and global head of the operations practice at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Switzerland.

Spiesshofer joined ABB in 2005 as Executive Committee member responsible for strategy development. In 2010, he was appointed Head of Discrete Automation and Motion, one of ABB’s five divisions. There, he led the acquisition of Baldor Electric, the largest maker of industrial motors in North America. It was ABB’s biggest acquisition to date with a purchase price of $4.2 billion.

Personal life

Spiesshofer is an avid skier, sailor and amateur musician, accomplished at the clarinet, saxophone and accordion. He lives with his wife and two children in Zurich.