HiQ goes for growth in the Mälaren Valley and wins new development order from ABB Power Systems
The IT and management consultancy HiQ is undertaking an initiative in the Mälaren Valley region of Sweden, focusing primarily on expanding the business in Arboga in respect of the local market in the region. New clients in the region include ABB, Sparbanken Västra Mälardalen and Volvo.
“HiQ operates a strong business in Arboga employing around 40 people. Our assignments have traditionally come from the defence sector, with orders from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the development of simulators for training pilots on the JAS 39 Gripen, for example. The Mälaren Valley is home to many interesting companies with a substantial element of advanced technology in their businesses – in other words, potential clients of HiQ,” says Anders Nilsson, Managing Director of HiQ in Arboga.
“During the spring we expanded our sales force and ensured that we have a good foundation for expansion in our local market. Our aim is naturally to increase our share of assignments in the region, thereby creating the conditions for recruiting more consultants to the business in Arboga,” Nilsson continues.
Within the framework of the new venture HiQ has won an order from ABB Power Systems. HiQ is to help ABB Power Systems with the design and development of control and protection functions in what are known as HVDC systems. HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) is used to transmit electricity across long distances via overhead lines or undersea cables. HVDC is also used to link together separate power systems in cases where traditional alternating power connections cannot be used. ABB is a pioneer of High Voltage Direct Current technology and is the world leader in this field.
“HVDC systems contain advanced systems for control and monitoring and high demands are made of the safety and availability of the equipment. HiQ has many years’ experience of working on the design and development of systems with high performance requirements and thus has the expertise that we need in this assignment,” says Thomas Krysén, responsible for control and protection software at ABB Power Systems in Ludvika.
ABB employs around 8,800 people in Sweden at 35 sites. The company is a leading supplier of products and systems for power transmission as well as process and industrial automation. Its major bases are in Västerås, where around 4,500 people are employed, and Ludvika, which has around 2,400 employees. The ABB Power Systems division offers systems for power transmission, distribution networks and power stations.
“ABB Power Systems is a brand new client for HiQ which operates a very exciting business. Naturally we are incredibly proud to have received this new order and see it as an important step in our initiative in the Mälaren Valley,” says Anders Nilsson.
For further information, please contact:
Lars Stugemo, President and CEO HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)8 588 90 000
Anders Nilsson, Managing Director HiQ Approve, Arboga, tel.: +46 (0)589 845 00
Annika Billberg, Head of Corporate Communications HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 015, +46 (0)704-200 103