Postwar international expansion

The Swedish method that was founded during the war period laid the foundation for the international expansion that Atlas Copco undertook from the 1950s onwards. The purchase of the Belgian compressor company Arpic Engineering in 1956 was the company's first major international acquisition.[9] Ultimately, the Arpic plants carried out the majority of Atlas Copco's compressor production. In 1960 another important acquisition was made with the purchase of Craelius. In the 1970s, international expansion accelerated,[9]​ due to various structural reforms and efficiency measures brought about by weakening economic conditions and rising production costs. These conditions meant that Atlas Copco had to accelerate and brake simultaneously to maintain profitability. Several strategic acquisitions were therefore made, including the French compressor manufacturer Mauguière. To strengthen its position in the United States, several strategic acquisitions were made in the Airpower business, including the key purchase of Worthington Compressors.[9]​.

By the early 1980s, Atlas Copco was the world leader in rock drilling and pneumatics. Seeing the potential in industrial tools, they purchased Chicago Pneumatic Tools in 1987, opening up the important American, French and British markets. Atlas Copco then became one of the largest manufacturers of pneumatic tools and monitoring systems in the world. In the late 1980s, the company's geographical presence grew and assortments expanded due to several acquisitions, including the French company Ets. Georges Renault who manufactured pneumatic power tools. The British company Desoutter Brothers Plc. which supplied industrial tools and monitoring systems was purchased in 1990. In 1992 AEG Elektrowerkzeuge was purchased and in 1995 Milwaukee Electric Tool was acquired, further strengthening the company's reach. In 1997, Atlas Copco made its largest and most important acquisition with the purchase of Prime Service Corporation,[11]​ which was the largest machinery leasing company in the United States. The North American Rental Service Corporation was acquired in 1999.[12]​.

In 2018, Atlas Copco decided to split up and formed Epiroc AB"), which will focus on customers in the mining, infrastructure and natural resources segments. Epiroc is now a fully independent company.[13]​[14]​.

Wartime development

The Atlas Diesel merger experienced significant growth during World War I and by the end of the war, export dominated 40-50% of production. The depression years caused significant losses for the company, leading to several financial reconstructions in the 1920s and 1930s.[10] The economy began to recover, demand began to grow again in the mid-1930s, and Atlas Diesel experienced a boom in sales, with compressed air operations being the most expansive area. The Second World War remained an active period for the firm and a time when strategic planning for development played a major role. Manufacturing capabilities were enriched and purchasing, along with the acquisition of manufacturing subsidiaries in Sweden and other countries, was a key component to Atlas Diesel's continued growth after World War II.[9]​.

Postwar international expansion

The Swedish method that was founded during the war period laid the foundation for the international expansion that Atlas Copco undertook from the 1950s onwards. The purchase of the Belgian compressor company Arpic Engineering in 1956 was the company's first major international acquisition.[9] Ultimately, the Arpic plants carried out the majority of Atlas Copco's compressor production. In 1960 another important acquisition was made with the purchase of Craelius. In the 1970s, international expansion accelerated,[9]​ due to various structural reforms and efficiency measures brought about by weakening economic conditions and rising production costs. These conditions meant that Atlas Copco had to accelerate and brake simultaneously to maintain profitability. Several strategic acquisitions were therefore made, including the French compressor manufacturer Mauguière. To strengthen its position in the United States, several strategic acquisitions were made in the Airpower business, including the key purchase of Worthington Compressors.[9]​.

By the early 1980s, Atlas Copco was the world leader in rock drilling and pneumatics. Seeing the potential in industrial tools, they purchased Chicago Pneumatic Tools in 1987, opening up the important American, French and British markets. Atlas Copco then became one of the largest manufacturers of pneumatic tools and monitoring systems in the world. In the late 1980s, the company's geographical presence grew and assortments expanded due to several acquisitions, including the French company Ets. Georges Renault who manufactured pneumatic power tools. The British company Desoutter Brothers Plc. which supplied industrial tools and monitoring systems was purchased in 1990. In 1992 AEG Elektrowerkzeuge was purchased and in 1995 Milwaukee Electric Tool was acquired, further strengthening the company's reach. In 1997, Atlas Copco made its largest and most important acquisition with the purchase of Prime Service Corporation,[11]​ which was the largest machinery leasing company in the United States. The North American Rental Service Corporation was acquired in 1999.[12]​.

In 2018, Atlas Copco decided to split up and formed Epiroc AB"), which will focus on customers in the mining, infrastructure and natural resources segments. Epiroc is now a fully independent company.[13]​[14]​.