Growth through acquisitions

In 1973, the first hydraulic rock drill was designed and developed by Vigg Romell.

In 1975 Tom Wachtmeister succeeded Erik Johnsson as President and CEO. Wachtmeister was faced with the challenge of maintaining profitability and continued expansion in times of worldwide recession and changing industrial conditions. Production costs had grown in manufacturing countries, also  Sweden and Belgium. This resulted in structural changes and rationalizations but more notably in a number of strategic company acquisitions that paved the way for a broader product range and enlarged markets.

In 1975, Atlas Copco bought a majority holding in Berema, whose lightweight, petrol-driven drills and breakers were a natural complement to Atlas Copco´s Cobra drill.

In 1976 the compressor product line was complemented with small compressors through the purchase of the French company Mauguière.

In the early 1980's, Airpower made several strategic purchases that substantially strengthened its business potential in the United States.

The purchase of Turbonetics Inc. in 1980 gave Atlas Copco valuable knowledge about centrifugal compressors.

In 1984 the purchase of Linde AG, a German company, paved the way for a similar rapid development in the field of gas compressors.