Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (English translation: General Swedish Electrical Limited Company; Swedish abbreviation: ASEA) was a Swedish industrial company. History ASEA was founded in 1883 by Ludvig Fredholm in Västerås as a manufacturer of electrical light and generators. After merging with Wenström's & Granström's Electrical Power Company (Wenströms & Granströms Elektriska Kraftbolag) the name was changed to Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, literally the "General Swedish Electrical Limited Company", or a ASEA for short. In 1987, it announced a merger with the Swiss company Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) to form ABB Group. ABB Group began operations in 1988. After this merger, ABB Group acquired several companies, including the power transmission and distribution operations of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and the Combustion Engineering Group. 1889 - the partner Jonas Wenström creates 3-phased generators, motors and transformers. 1933 - The company removes the swastika from its logo, due to the symbol's association with Nazi Germany. 1953 - ASEA creates the first industrial diamonds. 1954 - HVDC Gotland project, first static high-voltage DC system 1960s - ASEA builds nine of 12 nuclear plants in Sweden. 1968 - ASEA’s elevator business gets acquired by Kone 1974 - Industrial robots are introduced by ASEA 1987 - Acquires Finnish Oy Strömberg Ab 1988 - Merges with BBC Brown Boveri, Asea Cylinda laundry appliances branch bought by Finnish furniture maker Asko, renamed Asko ASEA. Business management CEOs 1883–1891 – Ludvig Fredholm 1891–1903 – Göran Wenström 1903–1933 – Sigfrid Edström 1934–1942 – Arthur Lindén 1942–1949 – Thorsten Ericson 1949–1961 – Åke Vrethem 1961–1976 – Curt Nicolin 1976–1980 – Torsten L. Lindström 1980–1988 – Percy Barnevik Chairman of the Board 1891–1891 – Ludvig Fredholm 1892–1909 – Oscar Fredrik Wijkman 1910–1914 – Oscar Wallenberg 1914–1933 – Sten Ankarcrona 1934–1949 – Sigfrid Edström 1949–1956 – Thorsten Ericson 1956–1976 – Marcus Wallenberg 1976–1991 – Curt Nicolin See also ASEA IRB - robot Sigfrid Edström Uno Lamm Asko References Further reading Jan Glete, Asea under hundra år: 1883-1983: en studie i ett storföretags organisatoriska, tekniska och ekonomiska utveckling. (Västerås, 1987). Defunct companies of Sweden Locomotive manufacturers of Sweden Companies based in Stockholm Manufacturing companies established in 1883 1883 establishments in Sweden Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1988 Manufacturing companies of Sweden 1988 disestablishments in Sweden 1988 mergers and acquisitions