Atlas Copco AB history, profile and history video
Atlas Copco AB provides industrial productivity solutions. The company’s products and services include compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems, and related aftermarket and rental. It operates through the four business areas: Compressor Technique, Industrial Technique, Mining and Rock Excavation Technique, and Construction Technique. The Compressor Technique business area provides industrial compressors, gas and process compressors and expanders, air and gas treatment equipment and air management systems. It also offers specialty rental services and has a global service network. The Industrial Technique business area provides industrial power tools, assembly systems, quality assurance products, software and services through a global network. The Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area provides equipment for drilling and rock excavation, a complete range of related consumables and service through a global network. The Construction Technique business area provides construction and demolition tools, portable compressors, pumps and generators, lighting towers, and compaction and paving equipment through a global network. Atlas Copco was founded by Eduard Franckel on February 21, 1873, and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
HISTORY
After World War II, Atlas Copco started looking for overseas expansion and Canada was the first targeted country.
In 1949, George Blomdal, a Norwegian Engineer, was dispatched to Canada to test the mining market’s reaction to a new type of Swedish-designed rock drill and a new drilling method: this could be operated by one man instead of two. Due to the vast gold mining industry, Blomdal focused on Northern Ontario to sell this machine and the method revolutionized Canadian mining and quickly spread all over the country.
On May 9, 1949, Canadian Copco Ltd. was born and headquartered in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
In 1956, the name subsequently changed to Atlas Copco Canada Ltd. when the parent organization Atlas Diesel AB was changed to Atlas Copco AB.
In 1951, Atlas Copco Canada moved its headquarters to Dorval (Montreal), Quebec and the expansion continued with the opening of the Dorval manufacturing shop in 1970. During the same period, the Industrial tools were introduced. With the global introduction of hydraulic rock drills, the Dorval workshop started building hydraulic Boomers, Simbas, Boltecs, etc. These activities expanded so rapidly that, in 1976, it was necessary to create a separate mining (CMT) manufacturing unit in Pointe Claire, Quebec, known as Montreal Works where literally hundreds of rigs were produced for the North American market over the next several years.
In 1990, Atlas Copco Compressors relocated to Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec and in 1992, Atlas Copco CMT closed the Kirkland facility (Montreal Works) and moved manufacturing to Orebro, Sweden.
In 1996, Atlas Copco Tools moved to Mississauga, and in 1998 Atlas Copco CMT moved its head office from Dorval, Quebec to Sudbury with a large remanufacturing facility.
In 1998, JKS Boyles was acquired and this became Atlas Copco Exploration products today.
In 1999, Rental Services began operating in Canada.
In 2001, and 2002, respectively, the North American operations were separated into Canadian and US companies, and the Canadian Corporate Office moved to Ville Lasalle, Quebec.
Since then, several acquisitions occurred including Hobic and Layne Christensen (which together with JKS Boyles form Atlas Copco Exploration today), Ingersol Rand Canada Inc. (ADS) in 2004, Baker Hughes Canada (2004), Thiessen and Dynapac (2006), and Greenfield Canada (2007).
In 2010, Atlas Copco CMT Canada moved its head office and inventory from Sudbury, Ontario to Mississauga, Ontario and opened regional hubs and branches across Canada to be closer to their customers. Dynapac and Atlas Copco Tools also joined CMT in Mississauga, Ontario.
In 2011, Atlas Copco CMT Canada was renamed Mining and Rock Excavation Technique Canada, and Dynapac became part of the new Business Area, Atlas Copco Construction Equipment.
*Information from Forbes.com and Atlascopco.com
**Video published on YouTube by “AtlasCopcoGroup“