ESAB presents proposal to establish global R&D centre in Gothenburg

ESAB presents proposal to establish global R&D centre in Gothenburg ESAB, a world leader in the manufacture of welding and cutting equipment and consumables, currently conducts research and development of welding equipment at seven locations in South America, North America, Europe and Asia.

In order to get a better co-ordinated product development, ESAB's global management has made the strategic decision to establish a global research and development centre for Equipment & Automation in Gothenburg, Sweden. The new centre is expected to employ around seventy persons.

- This is a strategic decision aimed at further strengthening ESAB's position in a global market, says Joakim Ed, Global Technical Director ESAB Equipment & Automation.

ESAB's current research and development units within welding equipment in Laxå, Poland, Brazil and the USA will, with this restructuring, move development of new products to Gothenburg.

- All employees in the development department in Laxå will be offered employment in Gothenburg. We will most likely also need to recruit more engineers., continues Joakim Ed.

By locating the centre in Gothenburg we lay the foundation for closer collaboration with ESAB's existing global development centre for welding consumables. The innovative climate in Gothenburg with close proximity to research-intensive activities and the ability to attract international expertise is also a compelling reason why we choose Gothenburg.

ESAB in Laxå will continue to be an important part of ESAB.

- We see an interesting development ahead with several new strategic products going into production over the next six months, says Håkan Führ, Site Manager for ESAB in Laxå. Additionally, we are in the middle of a major investment project aimed at improving our efficiency and further strengthening our production capacity. The proposal will be negotiated with the unions as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact
Joakim Ed, Global Technical Director Equipment & Automation, telephone +46 70 473 9345. Håkan Führ, Manager ESAB Laxå, telephone +46 70 521 0891.