Atlas Copco Airpower celebrates 50 years of success

Stockholm, Sweden, October 24, 2006: This year marks 50 years since Atlas Copco made a major expansion of its compressor business and accelerated its journey towards worldwide leadership in compressed air. It is also 50 years since Atlas Copco took its current name.

In 1956, Atlas Diesel acquired compressor specialist, Arpic Engineering SA, Antwerp, Belgium. The same year, Atlas Diesel took its present-day name, Atlas Copco, an abbreviation of Compagnie Pneumatique Commerciale, thereby highlighting the company’s increased focus on compressed air.

With the successful acquisition of Arpic Engineering, Atlas Copco gained access to larger production facilities and increased its competence in portable compressors. During the 1960s, the major part of Atlas Copco’s existing compressor manufacturing was transferred to the workshops in Belgium.

Today, Atlas Copco’s Airpower facility in Belgium is the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturing site for both portable and stationary compressors, employing around 2 600 people. It is the head office of Atlas Copco’s business area Compressor Technique, which had revenues in 2005 totaling MSEK 20 672.

Says Ronnie Leten, Business Area President, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique, “We are proud that Atlas Copco is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Atlas Copco Airpower as a leader in compressed air. We look forward to many more exciting developments in the years to come.”

Today, Atlas Copco Airpower is hosting the Atlas Copco AB Board. It is also welcoming dignitaries from the local academic, political and economic community to celebrate the Company’s important milestones.