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Atlas Copco AB (publ)
Atlas Copco makes the industrial machines and tools that factories, mines, and workshops use to compress air, create vacuums, tighten bolts, and power assembly lines.
Atlas Copco sells the heavy hardware that keeps factories and construction sites running. If a plant needs air to run its machinery, Atlas Copco supplies the compressor. If a workshop needs to tighten a thousand bolts a day, it provides the industrial tools. The company is divided into four main areas: Compressor Technique, Vacuum Technique, Industrial Technique, and Power Technique. These businesses serve a huge range of customers, from carmakers and electronics plants to mines and construction crews.
The compressor business is the biggest. A compressor squeezes air into a tank so it can do work later, like powering a drill or spraying paint. Factories buy them because they need a reliable supply of clean, pressurized air, and Atlas Copco has been a trusted name in this space for over a century. The vacuum division does the opposite—it pulls air out—which is essential for making semiconductors, packaging food, and handling delicate materials in cleanrooms. Atlas Copco operates in around 180 countries and generates a large chunk of its sales in Europe and North America. The company is known for a decentralized style: local sales teams have a lot of freedom, so they can respond quickly to customers. It also has a big service business—selling spare parts, maintenance contracts, and upgrades. That recurring revenue is stickier than selling a new machine once. Competitors include Ingersoll Rand in compressors and Grainger in tools and maintenance supplies.
After a period of strong demand from chipmakers and manufacturers, sales growth cooled in 2024 as industrial activity slowed, especially in Europe and parts of Asia. Atlas Copco still generates plenty of cash and uses it to pay dividends and buy back shares. It has also been buying smaller companies, such as the recent acquisition of a U.S.-based vacuum pump maker to expand its chipmaking equipment lineup. The stock, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, is a favorite among Swedish investors who want steady industrial exposure.
Saved answer · last researched 12 Nov 2026