Midwaggon in Ånge Sweden, which rebuilds, maintains and services locomotives, is getting a new owner. The current owner, Extendo Group based in Färila, is selling the business and its property to Malmö-based Kockums Industrier. Midwaggon, has an annual turnover of 30 million SEK, and around 30 employees in Ånge.
The buyer owns SweMaint AB, which is the leader in Sweden in the maintenance of freight wagons with workshops at twelve strategic hubs from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north, supported by mobile repair units covering the whole country. SweMaint has 260 employees and an annual turnover of 400 million SEK.
SweMaint has previously acquired the freight wagon maintenance part of Midwaggon. The operations in Borlänge were taken over in 2017 and in Ånge in 2019.
Kockums Industrier plans to continue to operate the now acquired business in Ånge at the same level but can see a need for new recruitment in the long term.
Björn Widell, CEO of Kockums Industrier, comments on the purchase;
– We strongly believe in increased freight traffic on the Swedish railway in the future, not least in northern Sweden, and see a natural link between the maintenance of freight wagons in SweMaint and the maintenance of locomotives in Midwaggon – even though there are significant technical differences. These are familiar customers for us, who now also meet us on the locomotive side. We also believe that it is possible to highlight synergies between the two companies, not least on the administrative side.
Lars Björn, who will continue as CEO of Midwaggon, adds;
– This means that Midwaggon will have a future in a renowned environment driven by the conviction that rail transport is the only sustainable one. I am therefore convinced that both customers and employees see this as a positive step into the future not only for Midwaggon but for the development and expansion of freight transport on Swedish railways in general.
For further information, please contact:
Björn Widell, CEO Kockums Industrier,
tel +46 (0)705 39 25 60, bjorn.widell@kockumsindustrier.se
Lars Björn, CEO Midwaggon,
tel +46 (0)10 130 25 72, lars.bjorn@midwaggon.se
Peter Overup, CEO SweMaint,
tel +46 (0)705 45 87 24, peter.overup@swemaint.com
Since 1859, the venerable Swedish company Kockums, has manufactured and delivered over 15,000 rail freight cars, many of which are still in operation, ensuring vital transport logistics in Sweden. In 2016, production was wound up and today Kockums Industrier AB is a holding company. In addition to the ownership relationship with SweMaint AB and the Group's overall finances, the company previously handle all of the manufacturing part's drawings and patent documents.
Midwaggon AB offers preventive and remedial service and maintenance on locomotives. The company is characterised by a strong customer and sustainability focus and concern for the environment. Midwaggon's workshop in Ånge is quality certified according to EN ISO 9001:2015, environmentally certified according to EN ISO 14001:2015 and holds certifications according to EN 3834 and EN 15085-2 regarding welding on railway vehicles. Midwaggon, which until the acquisition was part of Extendo Group, has a turnover of SEK 30 million and around 30 employees.
SweMaint AB is Northern Europe's leading provider of maintenance services to wagon owners and other rail freight operators. Strategically located at the major hubs – from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north – it offers a complete and almost nation-wide range of services, including preventive wagon maintenance, wheel maintenance, remedial repairs and comprehensive material supply. The company, based in Gothenburg, has a turnover of around SEK 400 million and around 260 employees.
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