Atlas Copco: 150 Years of Innovation and Expansion

Jun 22, 2023

Swedish multinational Atlas Copco, a global industrial leader, commemorates 150 years of innovation and growth while unveiling a state-of-the-art facility in Thailand.

PUBLISHED : 24 Aug 2023 at 14:43

Atlas Copco, the global industrial powerhouse, marked a significant milestone by inaugurating its cutting-edge facility in Chachoengsao, Thailand on August 23.

Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Atlas Copco has established itself as a leader in the realm of industrial enterprises. With a presence in 70 countries and a workforce of approximately 49,000, it caters to clients across over 180 nations. Pioneering innovation is at the core of its operations, setting the bar in technological advancements and engineering breakthroughs. Among its groundbreaking contributions are the development of energy-efficient variable-speed drive compressors and oil-free screw compressors.

Since its inception in 1957, Atlas Copco has been a steadfast provider of energy-efficient products, as well as solutions and services enhancing industrial productivity in Thailand across diverse industry segments.

The recent investment underscores Thailand's unwavering commitment to delivering solutions and services that not only benefit its customers in the region but also align with the objectives of reducing energy consumption, operational costs, and carbon footprint.

Mr. Henrik Elmin, Senior Executive Vice President and Business Area President of Industrial Technique, commented, "As reiterated by numerous speakers, Atlas Copco has achieved resounding success both regionally and globally. With a workforce of approximately 50,000 and revenues reaching around 13 billion EUR, we have been instrumental in supplying key products to industries worldwide. These range from air and medical gas compressors, vacuum pumps utilised in semiconductor production, industrial tools for electric vehicle manufacturing, to water pumps facilitating wastewater transportation."

Central to this success, as Mr. Elmin highlighted, is the company's decentralised organisational structure. This approach empowers local teams in Thailand with significant responsibility and autonomy, enabling them to optimise business operations while remaining closely attuned to local market dynamics and needs.

Looking ahead, Mr. Elmin underlined the exciting prospects for Atlas Copco. He emphasised a paramount global trend – the journey towards a carbon-neutral society. This transformative endeavour extends beyond the mere elimination of fossil fuels; it entails a comprehensive shift towards sustainable practices. This commitment resonates not only with customers but with Atlas Copco itself, necessitating a reduction in carbon footprint across its global facilities.

Mr. Horst Wasel, Vice President of Atlas Copco Holding SE-Asia & Oceania, referred to the overview statement of 2022 for the SE-Asia and Oceania region. He highlighted a 5% increase in order intake in local currencies for Asia/Oceania, particularly in industrial compressors, gas and process compressors, and industrial assembly and vision solutions. Despite this growth, vacuum equipment orders declined due to reduced demand from the semiconductor and flat panel display industry. Nonetheless, the service business achieved robust growth in all sectors, with Asia/Oceania accounting for 38% of total orders received.

The refurbishment of the Atlas Copco Thailand facility aligns with their commitment to combat climate change by establishing an environmentally conscious workspace. This achievement is met with pride, as the new office stands as a testament to their dedication to sustainable practices.

"We inspire confidence in our customers through dependable operations, heightened productivity, cost reduction, minimized CO2 emissions, and the realization of business objectives," stated Mr. Wasel. The innovations pioneered by Atlas Copco not only drive business progress but also contribute to manufacturing capabilities, societal advancement, and genuine progress.

The year 2023 holds added significance, marking both the 150th anniversary of the Atlas Copco Group and a century and a half of pioneering industrial innovation. The inauguration festivities provided an opportune moment to celebrate this dual achievement.

Atlas Copco's commitment to innovation remains unwavering, consistently yielding technologies and products that enhance efficiency, lower energy consumption, and diminish operational expenses. Their product philosophy centres on achieving the lowest total cost of ownership.

Operating from their Thailand office, Atlas Copco manages three key business areas:

Compressor Technique: This division offers compressed air solutions, including industrial compressors, gas and process compressors, expanders, air and gas treatment equipment, and air management systems. Their global service network focuses on sustainable productivity in manufacturing and process industries.

Industrial Technique: Providing industrial power tools, assembly and machine vision solutions, quality assurance products, software, and services, this business area serves global clients. Its innovations drive sustainable productivity in the automotive and general industries.

Power Technique: Delivering air, power, and flow solutions via mobile compressors, pumps, light towers, generators, and complementary products, this division addresses the needs of various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and exploration drilling.