Åkermans: A Swedish Excavator Story

There’s a nostalgic feel to the days when Åkermans in Eslöv was building excavators. When production moved to South Korea, it was a tough blow—one that many still haven’t gotten over. Including me who grew up outside of Eslöv.

The Rise of Åkermans

Åkermans was closely tied to Eslöv in Skåne, where the factory operated for over a century. Founded in 1890 by Lars Petter Åkerman, a skilled mechanic and former co-owner of Hvilans Mekaniska Verkstad, the company grew quickly. By the mid-1890s, the workshop employed around 50 workers, producing everything from church spires to submarine parts, along with steam engines and farming equipment.

Lars Åkerman passed away unexpectedly in 1897, only 46 years old. His widow, Hanna, managed to keep the business afloat with the help of influential business leaders, though it wasn’t until World War I that the company saw real success. During Sweden’s energy crisis, Åkermans profited from producing peat extraction machines.

The Shift to Excavators

Åkermans survived economic downturns and began producing road construction machines in 1924. One key figure in the company’s history was Otto Linander, who became the majority owner in 1923 and, along with his family, controlled the company until 1991. Another influential leader was Bernt Lorenz Åkesson, known as BLÅ, who became CEO in 1915 and led the company until 1953. He was instrumental in developing Åkermans’ first excavators.

The first excavator, Åkerman 300, was introduced in 1939, inspired by British and American designs. Despite the challenges of World War II, the company produced around 30 machines, some modified for gas-powered operation.

After the war, Åkermans faced growing competition from Swedish manufacturers like Åsbrink and Landsverk. However, its early start in excavator production gave it an advantage. By the 1950s, Åkermans launched the successful 375, 475, and 575 models, introducing key design improvements and adopting the now-iconic orange and yellow color scheme.

The Hydraulic Revolution

By the 1960s, the industry was shifting toward hydraulic excavators, which offered better performance and reliability. This was a major technological leap, requiring high precision manufacturing and cleaner production facilities. Åkermans cautiously transitioned, introducing its first fully hydraulic model, the H11, in 1966.

With this change, the company phased out older cable-operated machines, focusing entirely on hydraulic excavators by the 1970s. This shift allowed Åkermans to expand into new markets and compete with global brands like Poclain, Liebherr, and Atlas Weyhausen.

The End of an Era

During the 1980s, Åkermans expanded aggressively, acquiring companies like Kockum-Landsverk and investing in U.S. manufacturer Hein-Werner. Despite increased exports—reaching 70–75% of total production—the company struggled financially.

In 1986, Åkermans partnered with VME (Volvo Michigan Euclid), which later acquired full ownership in 1991. The Åkermans name remained for a few more years, but after Volvo CE acquired Samsung’s excavator division in South Korea, production in Eslöv ended in 1999. Thus, a century of Åkermans history and 60 years of Swedish excavator manufacturing came to an end—a loss still remembered by many.