The unsung heroes: Atlas Copco Group’s technologies behind everyday life

13 February 2025

With over 150 years of innovation, Atlas Copco Group has become a cornerstone of industries as diverse as medical research, food production, and renewable energy. But what is the secret behind this enduring success? We spoke to Alex Bongaerts, Vice President of the UK & Ireland Holding Region, to find out how this Swedish-born powerhouse continues to flourish and shape the future of a changing world.

You might not realise it, 

but Atlas Copco Group is everywhere. From that popcorn machine at the cinema to the satellite orbiting Earth right now – Atlas Copco Group’s technologies make it all possible. As their new brand video boldly states, they enable the things that shape our lives. 

Innovating for a better tomorrow
“Innovation has remained at the core of everything we do,” explains Alex. “The world has evolved, and we’ve evolved with it, without letting go of our core values. Since 1873, we’ve worked closely with our customers and always looked for the better way.” 

That mindset has led Atlas Copco Group to develop cutting-edge solutions across four major business areas: Compressor-, Vacuum-, Power-, and Industrial Technique. These divisions span everything from air compressors to vacuum pumps, power tools, and assembly systems. 

Their innovation doesn’t stop at products, it extends in to how they run the business. “We have a decentralised leadership model - that’s key to our agility and speed,” says Alex, and continues, “our divisions are the highest operating entities. Each one is led by a president, ensuring that we stay close to our customers while maintaining a unified vision globally.” 

Building for the future
Sustainability is at the core of Atlas Copco Group’s operations, and their newly refurbished UK headquarters, Technology House, in Hemel Hempstead embodies their commitment to a low carbon transition. 

“Technology House is a shining example of how an outdated, energy-inefficient office can be transformed into a stunning, modern working environment,” Alex remarks with pride. “It doesn’t use fossil fuels and has very low CO2 emissions.” 

The facility features a solar PV system that provides 40 per cent of its energy, rainwater harvesting for toilets and plants, and LED lighting with motion and daylight sensors. Even the furniture is a testament to their green ambitions – 80 per cent was reused from the previous office, and excess items were donated to local offices. 

It doesn’t stop there. “We installed 16 electric vehicle charging stations to support commuting with electrical or hybrid vehicles,” Alex adds, “everything from the building materials to the daily operations was designed with the climate in mind.”

When considering sustainability more broadly, Alex highlights its integral role in Atlas Copco Group’s mission to contribute to a better tomorrow.  
“By taking accountability for our impact and by acting in an ethical way in our business relationships, we strive to bring value to both our customers and society as a whole,” he states. 

A legacy of endurance
Since opening its first office outside Sweden in London year 1919, Atlas Copco Group has been deeply intertwined with the UK’s industrial landscape. Today, the UK & Ireland region boasts 15 customer centres and six designated product companies, as well as being home to the global headquarters of their Vacuum Technique business area. 

But what has sustained the company for over a century? “Our ability to adapt,” says Alex, and continues: “The world keeps changing, and we’ve never been afraid to change with it. But as we have done this, we’ve also stayed true to our core values of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.” 

That spirit of collaboration is evident in Atlas Copco’s new group identity, launched in 2023. “It’s an umbrella for all our brands, allowing them to maintain their uniqueness while highlighting what brings us together,” Alex explains. “It better reflects who we are and how we bring value to customers, employees, and society at large.” 

The unsung heroes 
The beauty of Atlas Copco Group’s work lies in its invisibility. “We’re often the unsung heroes,” Alex admits and continues: “but our products power the machines that power the world.” Whilst it might be easy to overlook, their impact is essential.

“Our innovations are key to a wide range of industries, from infrastructure to medical research and renewable energy,” Alex explains, highlighting the crucial role their technology plays in shaping the modern world.

What’s next? 
As Atlas Copco Group looks to the future, the focus remains firmly on sustainability and innovation. “We’re committed to being part of the solution for a better tomorrow,” says Alex. “Our R&D is focused on improving product performance and energy efficiency to help our customers achieve their own sustainability goals.”

From vacuum solutions to industrial smart tools, the company’s technologies will continue to shape future industries. “We’re engineering the building blocks for the next generation of transport, connectivity, and industrial automation,” Alex concludes.

Whether it’s helping factories become greener, enabling cutting-edge medical research, or even making popcorn machines work a little smoother, Atlas Copco Group proves that the most important work often happens behind the scenes. And as the company likes to remind us, it’s these unsung heroes that truly shape our world.

A timeline: Atlas Copco Group’s journey in the UK

1919

Atlas Copco, or Atlas Diesel as it was then known, opened its first office outside of Sweden in London. Starting out as a small operation selling diesel engines to the shipping industry, it has now grown to a large operation employing over 3 300 people in over 15 sales centres and 6 manufacturing plants all over the UK & Ireland. 

1959

Atlas Copco had grown significantly and the decision was made to amalgamate the operations it had in London and Glasgow into a large factory and head office in Hemel Hempstead. 

1965

The Dublin branch opened to cover the sales and service of mining, quarrying, compressed air equipment, and tools throughout the whole of Ireland. 

1975

His Majesty King Karl XVI Gustav of Sweden visited the Atlas Copco UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead, causing much excitement as he arrived by helicopter.  

1982

Atlas Copco air compressors were used in an archaeological project to raise the wreck of King Henry VIII’s flagship, The Mary Rose from the bottom of the Solent.

1982 -> 

Throughout the following years, the growth through acquisition in the region has seen the introduction of Atlas Copco Rental, Medical Gas, and a multi-brand approach to marketing.

2008

The Construction and Mining part of the business won the Queen’s Award, the UKs most prestigious award, for business performance. 

2014

The Group acquired Edwards Vacuum which alongside the acquisition of Leybold in 2016 led to the introduction of a new Business Area for the Group. The global headquarters of this business area is located in Burgess Hill, England. 

2019

Atlas Copco Group celebrated 100 years in the UK.