20 3 the companies concerned atlas copco ab 1 a swedish public company was founded in 1873 to make loco motives and other equipment for railway industry it produced its first pneumatic tools 1899 by 1904 also selling compressors rock drills from 1930s on specialising more products expanding production of air powered construction mining after second world war gave up connection with 1948 1956 acquired belgian portable compressor manufacturer 1967 introduced screw delivering oil free last years has broadened approach use power offer range machines systems making such sources as hydraulic electric internal combustion well 2 today 43 manufacturing units 17 countries workforce around 19 000 whom than 500 are united kingdom subsidiaries 50 independent distributors further 85 1988 over 90 per cent group sales
