150 years of innovation
2023 marked the 150th anniversary of the Atlas Copco Group and one and a half centuries of pioneering industrial innovation. Starting with a single Swedish venture, we have grown into an expansive group of brands spanning the entire globe.
Passionate people make it happen
Since the start in 1873 we have strived to find new, innovative solutions to society's challenges. We started by supplying products for the railway expansion in the late 1800s and from there expanded into compressors, tools and rock drills needed to industrialize the world. Today, we hold world-leading positions in many of the same industries, but also in completely new segments such as vacuum. Still, our purpose remains the same: creating a better tomorrow by empowering our customers to grow and drive society forward.
Throughout our history, our innovative spirit and our values – innovation, sustainability, doing business in an ethical way – have remained intact. However, most of all it's about passionate people and their drive and ideas to find new and better ways to shape the future.
Our Presidents and CEOs
Since we were founded in 1873, the Atlas Copco Group has been managed by 13 Presidents and CEOs. In 1997, Giulio Mazzalupi was the first non-Swedish citizen appointed President and CEO. The second, Ronnie Leten, was appointed in 2009. All but two of the twelve, Walter Wehtje and Gunnar Brock, have been recruited from within the Atlas Copco Group.
Eduard Fränckel
1873-1887
![Eduard Fränckel, Technical Director of the Swedish State Railways, was appointed AB Atlas's first Managing Director.]()
1873-1887
Eduard Fränckel
1873-1887
1873-1887
Eduard Fränckel, Technical Director of the Swedish State Railways, was appointed AB Atlas's first Managing Director. Eduard Fränckel was one of the driving forces behind the creation of AB Atlas.
Eduard Fränckel, Technical Director of the Swedish State Railways, was appointed AB Atlas's first Managing Director. Eduard Fränckel was one of the driving forces behind the creation of AB Atlas.
Eduard Fränckel, Technical Director of the Swedish State Railways, was appointed AB Atlas's first Managing Director. Eduard Fränckel was one of the driving forces behind the creation of AB Atlas.
Oscar Lamm
1887-1909
![Together with the Wallenberg brothers, K.A. and Marcus, Oscar Lamm was in charge of the liquidation of AB Atlas in 1890 and the formation of its corporate successor Nya AB Atlas.]()
1887-1909
Oscar Lamm
1887-1909
1887-1909
Together with the Wallenberg brothers, K.A. and Marcus, Oscar Lamm was in charge of the liquidation of AB Atlas in 1890 and the formation of its corporate successor Nya AB Atlas.
Together with the Wallenberg brothers, K.A. and Marcus, Oscar Lamm was in charge of the liquidation of AB Atlas in 1890 and the formation of its corporate successor Nya AB Atlas.
Together with the Wallenberg brothers, K.A. and Marcus, Oscar Lamm was in charge of the liquidation of AB Atlas in 1890 and the formation of its corporate successor Nya AB Atlas.
Gunnar Jacobsson
1909-1940
![Gunnar Brock took Atlas Copco back to the core through divestments, but he also expanded into road construction.]()
1909-1940
Gunnar Jacobsson
1909-1940
1909-1940
Gunnar Jacobsson, Managing Director of Nya AB Atlas from 1909, continued in the same position at AB Atlas Diesel after the merger with AB Diesels Motorer in 1917. He expanded the pneumatic line with new tools and air compressors.
Gunnar Jacobsson, Managing Director of Nya AB Atlas from 1909, continued in the same position at AB Atlas Diesel after the merger with AB Diesels Motorer in 1917. He expanded the pneumatic line with new tools and air compressors.
Gunnar Jacobsson, Managing Director of Nya AB Atlas from 1909, continued in the same position at AB Atlas Diesel after the merger with AB Diesels Motorer in 1917. He expanded the pneumatic line with new tools and air compressors.
Walter Wehtje
1940-1957
![Walter Wehtje represented a new kind of leadership in what had until then been a technology-dominated company.]()
1940-1957
Walter Wehtje
1940-1957
1940-1957
Walter Wehtje represented a new kind of leadership in what had until then been a technology-dominated company. Previously head of a department store in Stockholm, he was a businessman brought up in sales and marketing.
Walter Wehtje represented a new kind of leadership in what had until then been a technology-dominated company. Previously head of a department store in Stockholm, he was a businessman brought up in sales and marketing.
Walter Wehtje represented a new kind of leadership in what had until then been a technology-dominated company. Previously head of a department store in Stockholm, he was a businessman brought up in sales and marketing.
Kurt-Allan Belfrage
1957-1970
![Kurt-Allan Belfrage shifted the focus to research and development, including major modernization and expansion plans for the production plants.]()
1957-1970
Kurt-Allan Belfrage
1957-1970
1957-1970
Kurt-Allan Belfrage shifted the focus to research and development, including major modernization and expansion plans for the production plants. The oil-free air compressor was introduced and opened up new customer segments and applications
Kurt-Allan Belfrage shifted the focus to research and development, including major modernization and expansion plans for the production plants. The oil-free air compressor was introduced and opened up new customer segments and applications
Kurt-Allan Belfrage shifted the focus to research and development, including major modernization and expansion plans for the production plants. The oil-free air compressor was introduced and opened up new customer segments and applications
Erik Johnsson
1970-1975
![Erik Johnsson 's lasting achievement lies chiefly in the sphere of industrial marketing, where he acted as a pioneer and never-failing source of energy.]()
1970-1975
Erik Johnsson
1970-1975
1970-1975
Erik Johnsson 's lasting achievement lies chiefly in the sphere of industrial marketing, where he acted as a pioneer and never-failing source of energy. It was Erik Johnsson who instigated the idea of offering a complete solution rather than selling an isolated product.
Erik Johnsson 's lasting achievement lies chiefly in the sphere of industrial marketing, where he acted as a pioneer and never-failing source of energy. It was Erik Johnsson who instigated the idea of offering a complete solution rather than selling an isolated product.
Erik Johnsson 's lasting achievement lies chiefly in the sphere of industrial marketing, where he acted as a pioneer and never-failing source of energy. It was Erik Johnsson who instigated the idea of offering a complete solution rather than selling an isolated product.
Tom Wachtmeister
1975-1991
![Tom Wachtmeister was first employed by the Group in 1959 and held various positions before he was appointed Managing Director in 1975.]()
1975-1991
Tom Wachtmeister
1975-1991
1975-1991
Tom Wachtmeister was first employed by the Group in 1959 and held various positions before he was appointed Managing Director in 1975. He further decentralized the organization and divided it into divisions and three business areas.
Tom Wachtmeister was first employed by the Group in 1959 and held various positions before he was appointed Managing Director in 1975. He further decentralized the organization and divided it into divisions and three business areas.
Tom Wachtmeister was first employed by the Group in 1959 and held various positions before he was appointed Managing Director in 1975. He further decentralized the organization and divided it into divisions and three business areas.
Michael Treschow
1991-1997
![The Group's development under Michael Treschow can be summarized as better stability, increased profitability, and healthy growth, both through product development and acquisitions.]()
1991-1997
Michael Treschow
1991-1997
1991-1997
The Group's development under Michael Treschow can be summarized as better stability, increased profitability, and healthy growth, both through product development and acquisitions. He introduced a new concept, the brand portfolio strategy.
The Group's development under Michael Treschow can be summarized as better stability, increased profitability, and healthy growth, both through product development and acquisitions. He introduced a new concept, the brand portfolio strategy.
The Group's development under Michael Treschow can be summarized as better stability, increased profitability, and healthy growth, both through product development and acquisitions. He introduced a new concept, the brand portfolio strategy.
Giulio Mazzalupi
1997-2002
![Along-timer, Giulio Mazzalupi was the first non-Swede appointed President and CEO.]()
1997-2002
Giulio Mazzalupi
1997-2002
1997-2002
Along-timer, Giulio Mazzalupi was the first non-Swede appointed President and CEO. He strengthened the Group's position through successful product innovations, a new production strategy, and improved after-sales service to customers.
Along-timer, Giulio Mazzalupi was the first non-Swede appointed President and CEO. He strengthened the Group's position through successful product innovations, a new production strategy, and improved after-sales service to customers.
Along-timer, Giulio Mazzalupi was the first non-Swede appointed President and CEO. He strengthened the Group's position through successful product innovations, a new production strategy, and improved after-sales service to customers.
Gunnar Brock
2002-2009
![Gunnar Brock took Atlas Copco back to the core through divestments, but he also expanded into road construction.]()
2002-2009
Gunnar Brock
2002-2009
2002-2009
Gunnar Brock took Atlas Copco back to the core through divestments, but he also expanded into road construction. Putting more feet on the street and thus creating a more customer-centric organization were important strategies
Gunnar Brock took Atlas Copco back to the core through divestments, but he also expanded into road construction. Putting more feet on the street and thus creating a more customer-centric organization were important strategies
Gunnar Brock took Atlas Copco back to the core through divestments, but he also expanded into road construction. Putting more feet on the street and thus creating a more customer-centric organization were important strategies
Ronnie Leten
2009-2017
![Ronnie Leten further enhanced the customer focus and developed the service business in all areas.]()
2009-2017
Ronnie Leten
2009-2017
2009-2017
Ronnie Leten further enhanced the customer focus and developed the service business in all areas. The business grew tremendously during his leadership both organically and through acquisitions.
Ronnie Leten further enhanced the customer focus and developed the service business in all areas. The business grew tremendously during his leadership both organically and through acquisitions.
Ronnie Leten further enhanced the customer focus and developed the service business in all areas. The business grew tremendously during his leadership both organically and through acquisitions.
Mats Rahmström
2017-2024
![Mats Rahmström, President and CEO 2017-2024]()
2017-2024
Mats Rahmström
2017-2024
2017-2024
Mats Rahmström followed the tradition of focusing on product innovation. Two other areas he prioritized were creating tangible customer value and building passionate teams.
Mats Rahmström followed the tradition of focusing on product innovation. Two other areas he prioritized were creating tangible customer value and building passionate teams.
Mats Rahmström followed the tradition of focusing on product innovation. Two other areas he prioritized were creating tangible customer value and building passionate teams.
Vagner Rego
2024 -
![Vagner Rego photo 2024]()
2024 -
Vagner Rego
2024 -
2024 -
Vagner Rego is CEO of Atlas Copco Group as of 1st May 2024. He first joined the company in 1996.
Vagner Rego is CEO of Atlas Copco Group as of 1st May 2024. He first joined the company in 1996.
Vagner Rego is CEO of Atlas Copco Group as of 1st May 2024. He first joined the company in 1996.
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