Atlas Copco celebrates 100 years in the UK

Atlas Copco has marked its century of operations in the UK with a look forward at how industrial technology might evolve over the next 100 years. At a celebratory event in London, media and guests heard how Atlas Copco had been established in the UK with a single sales office selling diesel engines at the end of World War 1. It has now grown to become a large organisation employing more than 2,400 people at six manufacturing plants across the country. During that time, there have been many notable milestones. These have included the launch of the world’s first oil-free, rotary screw, stationary compressor in 1967; the first compressor with integrated variable speed drive in 1994; and the launch of the VSD+ compressor in 2013. The company has also expanded through high-profile acquisition, including the purchase of West Sussex-based vacuum product and abatement Edwards Group in 2014. Now Atlas Copco is looking forward to the next 100 years of operations in the UK at a time when megatrends such as digitalization, electrification and artificial intelligence are set to transform the face of modern industry.

Guests at the 100 years of operations event heard how Atlas Copco had embarked on a significant process of electrification, with battery and hybrid products expected to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. “One of the major areas of emphasis going forward will be the continued drive towards sustainability, particularly in terms of the electrification of equipment such as mobile compressors and generators, lighting towers and pumps,” said Bongaerts. “Traditionally, much of this type of equipment has been driven by diesel engines, but in urban environments or events such as music festivals, there is a desire for cleaner and quieter performance. That is resulting in the development of a wide range of battery-powered and hybrid products, which deliver reductions in carbon emissions. The future will require all of our products to be designed with a great deal of environmental consideration in mind.” Atlas Copco described how technologies such as the Internet of Things – driven by the application of sensors, software and connectivity – would give industrial organizations much better visibility of their assets, delivering significant advances in areas such as remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. The use of artificial intelligence, meanwhile, would allow equipment such as compressors to track and make process improvements autonomously as independent cyber-physical systems. This could ultimately lead to a situation where compressed air systems operate independently in their own right, making autonomous adjustments to pressure and flow to facilitate process improvements. The company also described how connected technologies such as virtual and augmented reality would transform the way that maintenance workers repaired industrial equipment, both in factories and out in the field. In addition to the event in London, Atlas Copco is also running a series of regional events designed to give as many employees as possible the opportunity to celebrate the 100-year milestone. These events will include refreshments, interactive quizzes and presentations. “We are proud of all our staff and are keen for everyone to celebrate this incredible achievement,” concluded Bongaerts.