Atlas Copco
Swedish industrial group supplying compressors, vacuum systems, industrial tools, pumps, generators and related equipment. Swedish manufacturer of automobiles
Last updated October 13, 2026
AI crawler reads
1requests
1companies- Anthropic1
- Profile
- 1
- Controversies
- 0
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
Since Oct 28, 2026 · from this site's server log
Overview
Atlas Copco is a Swedish multinational industrial group whose origins lie in railway equipment manufacturing and whose modern business is centered on compressed air, vacuum technology, industrial assembly, and mobile power. Founded in Stockholm in 1873 as AB Atlas by industrialist and Swedish State Railways official Edvard Fränckel, the company initially manufactured railway carriages and other railway equipment. Economic difficulties in the 1880s led it to broaden its activities into steel and iron components, marine steam engines, boilers, machine tools and heating equipment. The company was reorganized as Nya AB Atlas in 1890, with the Wallenberg family becoming its principal owner. Its subsequent development was shaped by the growing importance of engines and pneumatic machinery. In 1917, Nya AB Atlas merged with AB Diesels Motorer, a company associated with diesel-engine production, creating AB Atlas Diesel. Although diesel engines remained important for a period, compressed-air equipment increasingly became the company’s commercial foundation. By 1915, compressed-air products already represented about half of sales, and the company’s lightweight rock-drilling technology helped establish a durable position in mining and construction equipment. After the Second World War, Atlas Diesel expanded internationally, developed a wider sales network and increased its manufacturing presence outside Sweden. The acquisition of Belgian compressor company Arpic Engineering in 1956 marked a major step in international expansion. That same year, the company adopted the name Atlas Copco, derived from the abbreviated name of a Belgian subsidiary, Compagnie Pneumatique Commerciale. During the 1960s and 1970s, the group expanded through acquisitions, decentralized its operations and increased research and development. More than 80 percent of sales were outside Scandinavia by the 1960s. Atlas Copco later broadened its portfolio through acquisitions in industrial tools, equipment rental, vacuum technology and construction-related equipment. It acquired Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company in 1987, AEG Elektrowerkzeuge in 1992 and Milwaukee Electric Tool in 1995. The electric-tool business was later sold to Techtronic Industries, and the general equipment rental business was divested in 2006. The acquisitions of Edwards in 2014 and Leybold in 2016 made vacuum technology a major business area. In 2018, Atlas Copco separated its mining, infrastructure and rock-excavation equipment operations into Epiroc, an independent listed company whose shares were distributed to Atlas Copco shareholders. After the separation, Atlas Copco organized itself around four business areas: Compressor Technique, Vacuum Technique, Industrial Technique and Power Technique. Its products and services support manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, battery production, pharmaceuticals, food processing, mining-related applications, construction, energy, healthcare and wastewater treatment. The group operates through a broad portfolio of brands, including Atlas Copco, Chicago Pneumatic, Edwards, Leybold, BeaconMedaes and Desoutter. In 2023, the group celebrated its 150th anniversary and introduced a visually distinct group logotype to distinguish Atlas Copco Group from products sold under the Atlas Copco brand.
History
Atlas Copco began in Stockholm in 1873 as AB Atlas, founded by Edvard Fränckel with support from Swedish industrial and financial figures including Andre O. Wallenberg and David O. Francke. Its first products were railway carriages and related equipment manufactured in Stockholm and Södertälje. A recession in the 1880s caused substantial losses, encouraging diversification into construction components, marine steam engines, boilers and other heavy industrial products. In 1890, the company was reconstructed as Nya AB Atlas, with the Wallenberg family becoming the principal owner. The company’s strategic direction changed around the turn of the twentieth century as it developed oil engines, pneumatic machinery and compressors. In 1898, the Wallenberg interests established AB Diesels Motorer to manufacture engines based on Rudolf Diesel’s patents. Nya Atlas and Diesels Motorer merged in 1917, forming AB Atlas Diesel. The First World War disrupted international sales of compressed-air products but increased demand for marine diesel engines, particularly from Allied countries. After the war, the company experienced weaker demand, workforce reductions and financial restructuring. During the 1930s, the Great Depression again affected the business, but profitability recovered toward the end of the decade. Pneumatic tools became an important growth engine. In 1936, Atlas Diesel introduced a rock-drilling system using lightweight drills and tungsten-carbide bits. This approach became associated with the Swedish method of rock drilling and helped establish the company in mining and construction markets. Wartime orders from the Swedish Armed Forces supported diesel-engine and hydraulic-gear production, but the company’s postwar strategy increasingly favored compressed-air equipment. The diesel-engine division was sold in 1948. Atlas Diesel then built an international sales and production network. It made its first significant foreign acquisition in 1956 by purchasing Belgian compressor manufacturer Arpic Engineering NV. The same year, it changed its name to Atlas Copco AB, using a shortened form of Compagnie Pneumatique Commerciale, the name of a Belgian subsidiary. Production expanded into Finland and the United Kingdom, followed by additional international factories and acquisitions during the 1960s and 1970s. The group decentralized its organization, invested more heavily in research and development and became increasingly dependent on markets outside Scandinavia. The recessions of the 1980s and early 1990s led to factory closures and workforce reductions, but Atlas Copco also used this period to strengthen its industrial-tools portfolio. Acquisitions included Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company in 1987, AEG Elektrowerkzeuge in 1992 and Milwaukee Electric Tool in 1995. It entered equipment rental in North America through Prime Service Corporation in 1997 and expanded that position through further acquisitions, including Rental Service Corporation in 1999. The electric-tool activities were later sold to Techtronic Industries, and the general rental business was divested in 2006. In the 2000s, Atlas Copco made acquisitions in construction, drilling and industrial equipment while selling activities where it lacked sufficient international scale. Its purchase of Edwards in 2014 and Leybold in 2016 gave the group a substantial position in vacuum technology. In 2017, the company announced the separation of its mining and infrastructure equipment operations. The resulting company, Epiroc, began independent trading in 2018. Since the separation, Atlas Copco has operated through four principal business areas: Compressor Technique, Vacuum Technique, Industrial Technique and Power Technique. The group supplies equipment, systems, software, service and rental solutions to industries including automotive, electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food, healthcare, energy, construction and manufacturing. Its 2023 anniversary and new group logotype reflected the distinction between the listed industrial group and the product brands used across its portfolio.
- 2023
150th anniversary and group identity update
[1]Atlas Copco celebrated 150 years and introduced a distinct Atlas Copco Group logotype.
- 2018
Epiroc becomes independent
[1]Mining, infrastructure and rock-excavation equipment operations were separated into the independently listed Epiroc.
- 2016
Leybold acquired
[1]The purchase of Leybold further expanded Atlas Copco’s vacuum systems and equipment business.
- 2014
Entry into vacuum technology through Edwards
[1]The acquisition of Edwards established a major vacuum-technology platform within the group.
- 1995
Milwaukee Electric Tool acquired
[1]Atlas Copco expanded its electric-tool portfolio through the acquisition of Milwaukee Electric Tool.
- 1987
Chicago Pneumatic acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthened Atlas Copco’s position in pneumatic and industrial tools.
- 1956
Atlas Copco name adopted
[1]After acquiring Belgian compressor company Arpic Engineering, the company adopted the Atlas Copco name.
- 1948
Diesel-engine division sold
[1]Atlas Diesel disposed of its diesel-engine division as the business shifted decisively toward compressed-air products.
- 1936
Swedish-method rock-drilling system introduced
[1]The company introduced a lightweight rock drill and tungsten-carbide bit system that became known as the Swedish method.
- 1917
Merger creates AB Atlas Diesel
[1]Nya AB Atlas merged with AB Diesels Motorer, creating AB Atlas Diesel.
Products and positioning
A premium, engineering-led industrial equipment supplier emphasizing energy efficiency, reliability, lifecycle service, application expertise and industrial productivity.
Compressed air and gas systems
Compressor Technique
This business area supplies industrial compressors, gas compressors, expanders, air-treatment equipment and air-management systems. Applications include air separation, chemicals, carbon capture, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, pharmaceuticals, food processing, healthcare, electronics, battery production, power generation and wastewater treatment. Offerings range from fixed industrial installations to specialized systems supported by service and monitoring.
Vacuum equipment · 2014
Vacuum Technique
Vacuum Technique provides vacuum pumps, exhaust-management systems, valves and related equipment through brands including Edwards and Leybold. Its technologies are used in semiconductor and display manufacturing, LED and solar production, lithium-ion batteries, food processing, pharmaceuticals, packaging, heat treatment, scientific measurement, nanotechnology and surface coating.
Industrial tools and assembly systems
Industrial Technique
Industrial Technique supplies powered assembly tools, tightening systems, machine-vision solutions and quality-assurance equipment. The business serves vehicle manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, appliances, energy, metalworking, paper production, solar equipment and general industrial production. Its portfolio emphasizes process control, repeatability, traceability and productivity rather than consumer-oriented hand tools.
Mobile power and flow equipment
Power Technique
Power Technique produces, rents and services portable compressors, generators, pumps, energy-storage products and dewatering systems. Customers include construction and civil-engineering contractors as well as industrial users requiring temporary or mobile power and fluid-handling capacity. The business combines equipment sales with rental, aftermarket service and application support.
Industrial compressors
GA and GX compressor ranges
The GA and GX ranges are marketed as Atlas Copco industrial compressor families for applications requiring compressed air. They represent core examples of the company’s fixed-compressor offering, supported by air treatment, controls, service and efficiency-oriented operating solutions.
Portable generators
QAS generator range
The QAS range is a portable power offering used where temporary or mobile electricity is required, including construction, events, industrial work and infrastructure activities. The range is part of Atlas Copco’s Power Technique portfolio.
Controversies
Criticism concerning operations in Russia
Atlas Copco faced criticism over its activities in Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The company announced plans to discontinue operations in Russia in line with international sanctions, while concerns remained regarding the timing and ethical implications of its business presence during the conflict.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023150th anniversary program
Global · United States
Atlas Copco marked its 150th anniversary with corporate and public commemorative activities, including a bell-ringing ceremony at Nasdaq in New York. The anniversary reinforced the group’s long industrial history and global corporate identity.
Outcome. The anniversary reinforced the group’s long industrial history and global corporate identity.
Brand decisions
2023
Differentiate group and product-brand identitiesStrategyBackground
The listed industrial group operated a broad portfolio of product and subsidiary brands.
Action taken
Atlas Copco introduced a visually distinct logotype containing the word Group.
Aftermath
The identity system clarified the distinction between Atlas Copco Group as a corporate entity and Atlas Copco as a product brand.
2017
Separate mining and infrastructure equipmentStrategyBackground
Atlas Copco concluded that its rock-excavation, drilling and demolition equipment activities could operate more effectively as a focused company.
Action taken
It announced the transfer of those activities into a separately listed company named Epiroc.
Aftermath
Epiroc began trading independently in 2018, leaving Atlas Copco focused on four principal technology areas.
2016
Acquire LeyboldM&ABackground
The company was continuing to build scale in vacuum technology after the Edwards acquisition.
Action taken
Atlas Copco acquired Leybold, a German vacuum-technology company.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the group’s vacuum products, technology base and market coverage.
2014
Acquire EdwardsM&ABackground
Atlas Copco sought to broaden its industrial technology portfolio beyond compressed air and tools.
Action taken
The group acquired Edwards and entered the vacuum-equipment industry.
Aftermath
Vacuum technology became one of Atlas Copco’s principal business areas.
1956
Adopt the Atlas Copco nameStrategyBackground
The company was expanding its compressor activities internationally after acquiring Belgian manufacturer Arpic Engineering.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name from Atlas Diesel to Atlas Copco, using the shortened form of Compagnie Pneumatique Commerciale.
Aftermath
The new name became the foundation of the group’s global industrial brand.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Atlas Copco acquires Soft2tec[3]
Reported:
Atlas Copco acquired Soft2tec GmbH, which manufactures and delivers camera-based tracking systems sold under the Nexonar brand.
- Unconfirmed
Atlas Copco acquires CPC Pumps International[4]
Atlas Copco acquired CPC Pumps International Inc., a maker and servicer of custom-engineered centrifugal pumps. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
- Unconfirmed
Atlas Copco launches PAS dewatering pump range[5]
Atlas Copco Power & Flow launched two PAS dewatering surface pumps, the PAS 100 and PAS 150, featuring HardHat technology.
Atlas Copco launches AIRScan compressed-air system diagnostic solution[6]
Reported:
Atlas Copco launched its AIRScan compressed-air system diagnostic solution on July 14, 2021. The solution provides on-site data measurements and analysis using AIRchitect software, along with optimization recommendations.
Atlas Copco appoints Mikael Andersson to lead Power and Flow division[7]
Reported:
Atlas Copco appointed Mikael Andersson President of Power Technique’s Power and Flow division, effective February 1, 2021.
Atlas Copco introduces QAC 1350 TwinPower generator[8]
Reported:
Atlas Copco introduced a Stage V-compliant model in its QAC series of containerised generators: the QAC 1350 TwinPower. The source describes the model as delivering up to 1350 kVA of prime power.
Atlas Copco launches HiLight H6+ light tower[9]
Reported:
Atlas Copco launched the HiLight H6+ light tower, which features LED floodlights, adjustable lighting and reduced noise levels.
Atlas Copco introduces the XAS 188 air compressor in the United States[10]
Reported:
Atlas Copco introduced the XAS 188 air compressor, which is now available in the United States.
Atlas Copco introduced the QAS 625 generator[11]
Reported:
Atlas Copco Power Technique introduced the QAS 625, a mobile generator rated at 625 kVA/500 kW prime power, as the newest and largest generator in its lineup.
Atlas Copco acquires California distributor businesses[12]
Atlas Copco Compressors LLC acquired the assets of California distributors Accurate Air Engineering and Compressed Air of California; the businesses were to become factory-direct branches.
Sources12 sources
- 1Atlas Copcoen.wikipedia.org
- 2Atlas Copco Group official websiteatlascopcogroup.com
- 3Atlas Copco 收购 Soft2tecsensorsandsystems.com
- 4Atlas Copco 收购 CPC Pumps Internationalhydrocarbonprocessing.com
- 5阿特拉斯·科普柯推出PAS排水泵系列hub-4.com
- 6阿特拉斯·科普柯发布AIRScan压缩空气系统诊断解决方案prnasia.com
- 7阿特拉斯·科普柯任命米卡埃尔·安德松领导Power and Flow部门premierconstructionnews.com
- 8阿特拉斯·科普柯推出QAC 1350 TwinPower发电机hub-4.com
- 9阿特拉斯·科普柯推出 HiLight H6+ 照明塔hub-4.com
- 10Atlas Copco在美国推出XAS 188空气压缩机constructionequipmentguide.com
- 11阿特拉斯·科普柯推出 QAS 625 发电机constructionequipmentguide.com
- 12Atlas Copco acquires California distributor businesseswoodworkingnetwork.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/atlas-copco · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled