Atlas Copco celebrates 100 years in the UK

On 21st October 2019, Atlas Copco employees up and down the UK stopped what they were doing for 2 hours to gather together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of being established in the UK.

Events were held in 13 locations across the UK. Employees were invited to join the event closest to where they were located, which meant that everyone who works under the Atlas Copco Group umbrella was involved. There was an interactive quiz, where we discovered how much our employees really know about Atlas Copco! Light refreshments were provided and the opportunity to chat and spend time with others in the business. At 11 am we broadcast speeches from Alex Bongaerts, UK Holdings Manager, Kevin Prince, General Manager of Power Technique and Mats Rahmström, CEO of Atlas Copco, to all the events. Alex thanked everyone for their hard work and commitment as we reflected on how the company has reached this impressive milestone. We also attempted a link-up between the events where we could see each event and the teams there gave each other a ‘wave’.

Atlas Copco Industrial Assembly Solutions based in Deeside incorporated the planting of 100 trees into their event. Working in partnership with North Wales Wild Life Trust the team were split into groups and throughout the day went outside to take part in the planting of the trees.

At the event held in the Head Office in Hemel Hempstead we invited some retired employees to join us. It was great to spend some time reminiscing about our favourite memories and times gone by. We were also delighted to be joined by the Deputy Major of Dacorum, Councillor Stewart Riddick, who shared his congratulations with the employees.

Atlas Copco opened its first operation outside of Scandinavia in London on the 21st October 1919. Starting out as a small operation selling diesel engines to the shipping industry we have since grown to a large operation employing over 2400 people in over 10 customer centres and 6 manufacturing plants all over the UK. It has been an incredible first 100 years and we are very much looking forward to the next 100!