Major Companies

ABB

The ABB group is created from two companies, Swedish Asea and the Swiss corporation Brown Boveri. The merger took place in 1988, with the aim that the new company would be more competitive on the world market. This goal has also been achieved and ABB is now number one in the world in many industrial fields. The company is also trying to establish itself in Central and Eastern Europe and to expand in high-growth regions in Asia.

The ABB corporation is mainly active in three industrial fields and financial services. The Power Generation section constructs power plants and complementary systems, while the Power Transmission and Distribution branch deals with problems connected to the distribution of power. The Industrial and Building Systems part works with operational systems and automation (industrial robots etc.) in the processing industry. ABB owns together with Daimler-Benz, Adtranz which manufactures products and systems for railways. What all of these branches have in common, is that they are putting much effort into R & D and eco-efficient technical solutions. The Financial Services section, finally, provides service both to the other sections and to external customers.

President and chief executive officer of the ABB group is Göran Lindahl, a very dynamic person in Swedish business life.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. Backed by a strong research base and extensive manufacturing and commercial skills, the company provides a powerful range of products for seven important areas of healthcare - gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, cancer, respiratory, central nervous system, pain control and infection.

The company is recognised as having one of the best development pipelines in the industry and spends over $10 million (£7 million, SEK104 million) each working day to maintain a flow of new medicines designed to meet patients' needs. Worldwide sales in 2001 totalled $16.5 billion (£11.4 billion, SEK173.7 billion) with an operating profit of $4.2 billion (£2.9 billion, SEK43.8 billion).

AstraZeneca is committed to building on this success, using its leading position in many important areas of medicine to make a difference to the lives of patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them.

Headquartered in the UK, with R&D headquarters in Sweden and a strong presence in the important US market, AstraZeneca sells in over 100 countries, manufactures in 20 countries and has major research centres in 5. It employs over 54,000 people worldwide and values the diversity of skills and abilities that they bring to the business.

Electrolux

The Electrolux Group is the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers, vacuum cleaners, chain saws, lawn mowers, and garden tractors. In 2002, the Group had sales of around US $ 14 billion and approximately 82,000 employees. Every year, customers in more than 150 countries buy more than 55 million Group products for both consumer and professional use under famous brands such as Electrolux, AEG, Zanussi, Frigidiare, Eureka, Flymo and Husqvarna.

Every second, two people somewhere in the world, buy a product from the Electrolux Group. Every minute of every day, the Electrolux Group plays an important part in the lives of millions of people around the world. Making those lives easier, more comfortable, more enjoyable and more fulfilling, based on the insight that true innovation starts by understanding consumer needs and aspirations.

Ericsson

Ericsson is an internationally leading company within the telecommunication business. The Ericsson group of companies is well-known for advanced systems and products for stationary and mobile communication in both public and private networks. Ericsson has a very broad assortment.

The group consists of five cooperating parts. Public Telecommunications delivers systems and services for transmitting voice, data, text and images over public networks. Radio Communications includes mobile telephone systems, mobile telephones and mobile voice-and-data communications systems. Business Networks works with systems and services for transmitting voice, data, text and images over private networks, wireless business communication among other things. Components manufacture microelectronics, optical and microwave technology. Micro Wave Systems delivers aeronautical and missile technology, local mobile defense systems, microwave and satellite communications, and defense communications.

The telecommunication branch is moving fast and R&D is a very important factor for Ericsson's success. Ericsson has today around 64,600 employees in more than 140 countries.

Hasselblad

Hasselblad of Göteborg, Sweden is one of the world's best known cameras and actually the only major European camera maker still surviving. The company has concentrated on highest quality, very special market niches and one camera size only, the 6 by 6 format, favored by professionals. Most of Hasselblad's employees work in the Göteborg main plant. 95% of the company's sales are exports, mainly to the US, Japan and Germany. Some 30% of the employees work in product development.

Hasselblad cameras have been used on every manned US space flight since 1962, and the famous first moon landing still photos from 1969 were taken with a Hasselblad.

The company makes medium format cameras and offers an extremely wide range of lenses and several hundred accessories. From the beginning in the 1940's Victor Hasselblad insisted on complete interchangeability and all Hasselblad lenses and all accessories ever made can still be used with any of their camera models.

IKEA

IKEA is a global furniture company with stores in Eastern and Western Europe, North America and Asia. Its unique concept is that the furniture is sold in kits that are assembled by the customer at home. The flat packages are easy to store and transport and the assembly can be done by unskilled persons.

IKEA started with an image based on low price and the company culture still emphasizes frugality and informality - dark suits and business class flights are avoided in this company!

IKEA was founded in 1950 by Ingvar Kamprad and was originally a mail order company. Its "mysterious" name is actually an acronym of the founder's name and two towns in the area where he lived: Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.

Kinnevik Group

Kinnevik is a holding company mainly controlling enterprises in the media and telecommunications businesses. The company has expanded strongly during the last decade. It consists of four branches:

The Modern Times Group controls media companies working with TV production and broadcasting, satellite transmission, and radio broadcasting. Netcom Systems is in the telecommunications business, where it competes with the national Swedish and Norwegian phone companies for operating mobile phone networks. The third branch is Korsnas, a forest industry company. The purpose of having this 'odd' company in the group is to get a steady flow of cash into the business, in order to finance investments. The fourth part is Kinnevik Invest, which controls various companies that do not fit into the other branches.

Pfizer

Pfizer is the world's leading and most research-intensive pharmaceutical company. Our effective, modern products help people achieve longer and healthier lives. Pfizer's therapeutic reach in Sweden spans cardiovascular disease, central nervous system diseases, respiratory conditions, infection, urology, pain, oncology, ophthalmology and endocrinology. We also have a strong portfolio of self-care products.

Over the past 15 years, Pfizer has introduced at least one new medicine every year. The R&D pipeline currently has over 100 new chemical entities in development. Further, we have about 100 in-line product enhancement programs. In the coming years, we plan to seek regulatory approval for medicines in areas that include diabetes, lung disease, infection and cancer.

Pfizer recently acquired Pharmacia. Together we are ready to address unmet healthcare challenges, such as healthy aging. The acquisition also strengthens our position in the Swedish market, opening the door to partnership opportunities and enabling us to do more good for more people. Pfizer's Swedish headquarters is situated in Täby, just north of Stockholm.

SAAB

The Saab Group comprises of five cooperating parts and develops high-technology products for both military and commercial applications.

The military components are Saab Military Aircraft. Saab Dynamic and Saab Training System. JAS 39 Gripen is Saab Military Aircraft's current program. Gripen is an aircraft under series production and it combines reconnaisance, fighter and attack capabilities. Saab Dynamics's most important products are anti-ships missiles and anti-armor projectiles. Saab Training Systems develop simulator systems.

The commercial operations consist of Saab Aircraft, which develops and manufactures regional aircraft and Saab Combitech which mainly buisnesses are level-gauging and space electonics.

Saab Automobile is a car company and is 100% owned by General Motor. The models Saab 900 and Saab 9000 are its current products.The headquarters are in Trollhättan where the cars are manufactured

SAS

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) was founded in 1946 by Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It is a consortium of the three national airlines. The Swedish SILA owns 3/7 of SAS while the Danish DDL and Norwegian DNL each owns 2/7 of SAS. The three parent companies are owned fifty-fifty by respective governments and by private interests. SAS receives no subsidies. The SAS Group consist of SAS airline and Radisson SAS Hotels Worldwide.

Stockholm's Arlanda and Oslo's Fornebu are regional hubs while the main hub is Copenhagen Airport Kastrup. The airline serves ten intercontinental destinations. Three in the United States and seven in Asia. The head office is located in Stockholm.

SCA/Mölnlycke

SCA is a relatively young company in the forest industry, incorporated as late as 1929. Its primary product fields are hygiene products, wrapping paper and graphic paper.

The subsidiary Mönlycke is manufacturing hygiene products as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence care products and tissue paper.

Wrapping paper products include corrugated cardboard and container board, while graphic paper is used for newspapers and magazines.

SCA has an environment-friendly profil and is now Europe's no. 1 user of recycled fibers. Their products are made from nearly equal amounts of recycled and fresh wood fibers.

In 1995, SCA acquired PWA, one of Germany's largest forest industry companies. This takeover strengthened SCA's position on the European market considerably. SCA had some 33 000 employees in 20 countries.

SKF

Operating in some 130 countries with more than 80 manufacturing facilities throughout the world and backed up by about 20 000 distributors and retailers, SKF is the world's leading producer of ballbearing. SKF also developes, manufactures and sells lots of other industrial precision components.

Wherever one part in a mechanical device rotates around another, we can expect to find some sort of bearing. The function of a ball bearing is to eliminate or decrease the friction between an immobile and a mobile surface, and to carry a load at the same time.

Ball bearings are SKF's core business and dominant product. It is company policy to offer a full assortment of ball bearing and to give good customer service all over the world. High quality has become another hallmark and the 45 000 employees have to pass a special quality exam.

Telia-Sonera

Telia AB is the Swedish national phone company and it holds a dominating position on the home market for telecommunications. The core business is to offer national and international telecom services. Mobile phones is a business field which has become more and more important in recent years.Telia has the largest market shares in the fixed network, the mobile network and the cable television network

In 1993, the Swedish telecom market was deregulated, which made it possible for other companies to compete on Telia's home market on equal terms. Being a high-quality supplier of telecom services, Telia has managed well despite increased competition. It has also become more active internationally through Unisource, a joint company between Telia, PTT Telecom Netherlands and Swiss PTT Telecom. This cooperation has strengthen Telia's position on the world market.

Telia has about 32 000 employees, which is less than a few years ago, the decrease being due to the introduction of digital systems in telephone networks. Telia is now an incorporated company entirely owned by the Swedish government.

Tetra Laval

Tetra Laval was founded in 1993 from the two companies Tetra Pak and Alfa-Laval .

Tetra Pak offers complete processing, packaging and distribution lines for liquids. Tetra Laval Food delivers complete processing and packaging solutions for viscid and solid foodstuffs.

Alfa Laval is active in fields like food provision, environmental care, energy economizing, pharmaceuticals and light chemical industries. Alfa Laval Agri is the world's largest and most comprehensive supplier of systems and service for milk producers. They work with farmers across the globe to make milk-production systems more efficient.

The group has a dominant position in many fields. Quite a few different types of expandable packages come from Tetra Laval, and the company is active in more than 100 countries. Behind the group stands the Rausing family, which has kept quite a low public profile.

Volvo

Volvo was originally part of another Swedish company, SKF. The first intention was merely to produce a car that would contain the roller bearings produced by SKF, but business expanded and eventually the independent company Volvo was born.

Today, Volvo is a global company and has a strong position on the private car market. Key words are safety, concern for the environment, and quality. Volvo is also the world's second largest manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses. Another section of the company is Volvo Penta, which produces drive systems for ships and pleasure-boats, as well as for the industry. Volvo Aero produces aircraft engines and is also involved in the European space project.

In 1994 the Board of Directors and Management laid out a new strategic orientation for the Volvo Group; to concentrate on the automobile and transport equipment industry, with full control over core operations; According to this strategy, Branded Consumer Products (BCP), a company in the foodstuff business, was sold in 1995. Volvo also holds 11 percent of the French car manufacturer Renault. This part will also be sold, since the alliance between Volvo and Renault was dissolved in 1994

Production and development of key components as engines and transmissions take place in Sweden, while assembly operations are done in plants in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Australia. Primary markets are Europe and North America. The number of employees is 79 000.

Literature on major companies in Sweden

If you are interested in knowing more about major companies in Sweden read An Economic History of Sweden by Lars Magnusson. More suggestions are listed here on Print Google.