History

Innovation across three centuries.

Uddeholm’s development into a major company on the world market began more than 350 years ago. From the time iron was first produced at Stjärnfors in the province of Värmland, Sweden, generations of skilled workers there have contributed to the modern products that are exported to the tool industry all over the world.

The real foundation of our success was access to important local natural resources such as iron ore, charcoal and water. From small concentrating plants and forging shops at the end of the 17th century, Uddeholm grew into a large company in steel, energy and wood products.

Today, 300 years later, Uddeholm has become a leading product developer, manufacturer and raw-material supplier to the tool industry and related services. Uddeholm products are exported to more than 100 countries around the world.

The company’s first foundry for steel production was established in 1668 by Johan Karlström at Stjärnfors and was named Uddeholms Bruk (the Uddeholm works). The location and the timing were excellent. Europe had a strong demand for steel, and the province of Värmland was rich in both iron ore and timber.

From its earliest years Uddeholm looked for markets abroad. Despite the long distance to foreign markets and the obstacles that war often put in the way of trade, the company continued to grow strongly.

In 1746 the owner of Uddeholm, Bengt Gustav Geijer, died, leaving his wife Lovisa Tranea and their nine children. To keep the company from breaking up, Lovisa took over its management. Under her leadership new land was bought and a new steelworks was built. Four years later, when she died, the company’s future was secure. Her four eldest sons successfully continued to expand the business. By the end of the 18th century, as the Industrial Revolution began, Uddeholm had become the second most important iron producer in Sweden.

The foundations of the company as a marketing organisation in the modern sense were laid 150 years ago. In 1843 the works director Erik Georg Danielsson spent a full year in North America arranging order documents. His journey was very successful and brought several export orders. A good knowledge of customers and the market has remained a cornerstone of our business strategy.

In 1829 the steelworks at Munkfors was purchased. Today it is known as Uddeholm’s strip steel mill (Uddeholm Strip Steel AB).
The Hagfors steelworks was established in 1873. The new plant developed quickly, and a new rolling mill was built as early as 1882. Hagfors is still Uddeholm’s most important production unit.

The 20th century brought many changes. By establishing the sales company ASSAB, Associated Swedish Steel AB, in 1945, Uddeholm reached many new markets. We are strongly represented in fast-growing regions, especially South-East Asia.

New production technologies are applied in the manufacture of steel for the tool industry. On several occasions these innovations were first tested and further developed at Uddeholm, which has allowed us to develop new materials.

In the 1970s and 1980s our company concentrated on steel production for the tool industry as its core business. In the course of that process, part of the forests was sold.

In 1991 Uddeholm became part of the Austrian Böhler-Uddeholm Group.

In 2008 the company joined the voestalpine Group.

A worldwide supplier of tooling solutions and technology.

Uddeholm is the market leader as a developer, manufacturer and distributor of sophisticated, high-quality tool steel. After several successful years, our current stage of development can be described by major investment and an assertive strategy.

Our plants are expanding and becoming more efficient. New production technologies are being developed and introduced. Substantial resources go into new markets, and new local sales companies and tooling service centres are being established.

Uddeholm now has a worldwide sales network. Our concepts for delivery service, technical support and added value in service make the company unique in the market. No other steel supplier can compete with us in customer relations on a global scale.