AUTOMATION

Deep niche expertise in automated processes

Industry 4.0, smart cities, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and an ageing population are examples of strong driving forces entailing considerable sustainable business opportunities for Automation. We offer intelligent solutions, sub-systems and components for advanced applications in industry, medical technology and infrastructure. This includes, for example, solutions for robotics, control systems, sensors, industrial networks and communications networks.

We have own products in several areas – while long-term relationships with leading international suppliers are also important for the business area’s transactions. Our success is based on our in-depth niche expertise in automated processes where, in close collaboration with customers and suppliers, we create tailor-made technical solutions. The products we sell have a high technology content and require that we ourselves have the skill to act as a knowledge link between customers and suppliers.

Our subsidiaries hold strong business positions in the Nordic region and other parts of Europe. Customers are mainly OEM manufacturers and end users in industrial automation, medical technology, process industry, as well as telecom operators and installers of fibre networks.

”Demand for our products and solutions follows the manufacturing industry’s development towards automation and smart factories – as well as increasing demand in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, and the build-out of infrastructure for smart cities, security services and communications networks.”

Patrik Klerck, Business Area Manager Automation

Examples of products

Solutions for industrial communications, control systems, computers, sensors, vision products, motor drives, linear units, transmissions and components and solutions for fibre-optic networks.

2020/2021 in brief

Automation acquired four companies during the year. All of these companies are part of the strategy to increase added value and step up in the value chain in applications for industrial automation, primarily in systems integration, Industry 4.0 and IIOT. The business area saw strong demand in medical technology, to some extent driven by the pandemic. Weaker demand in the engineering industry, although it rebounded towards the end of the year. Read more on page 55 in the Administration Report.

Future focus

Automation will continue to develop the additional value it offers by bringing in cutting-edge expertise in Industry 4.0, systems integration, medical technology and software, among other areas. The goal is also to grow internationally. We will maintain our focus on sustainability throughout the operations to generate long-term profitable business relationships and to increase diversity in the business area.
 

 

Key financial indicators 2020/2021 2019/2020
Net sales, SEK million 2,384 2,425
EBITA, SEK million 245 267
EBITA margin, % 10.3 11.0
Return on working capital, % 48 52
Average number of employees 540 477
Acquired annual sales* 196 424
Proportion sustainable business**, % 44 -
* On a full-year basis at the time of acquisition.
** * Share of total revenue, in business area, that contributes to UN’s global goals, only measured on group level 2019/2020.

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