Posted to News on 15th Sep 2014, 18:28
ESAB celebrates 110 years of welding and cutting innovation
September 2014 marks the 110th anniversary of ESAB Welding & Cutting Products. A world leader in welding and cutting technology, with the broadest, most complete line of products for industry, ESAB's reach extends to almost every nation in the world, with more than 8700 employees, and manufacturing facilities across four continents.
ESAB's history of innovation began in 1904 when Oscar Kjellberg, a welding pioneer, submitted a hand-written patent for the covered electrode. Kjellberg's invention was more than the introduction of a new product; it represented the beginning of the modern era in welding. This invention also marked the beginning of Kjellberg's company, Electriska Svesnings-Aktiebolaget (ESAB).
Throughout the years, ESAB has "brought welding to the world" with groundbreaking innovations. Its industry firsts include development of the TIG and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes and the invention of the first friction-stir welding machine. Innovations continued throughout the second half of the twentieth century and the new millennium has most recently witnessed new standards of high speed Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) and the next-generation ICE process. ESAB technology addresses virtually every welding and cutting application and helps create a vast range of products and projects used in environments from the ocean floor to outer space.
As the demand for new welding and cutting products within every industry continues to grow, the ESAB product range also develops to embrace the most advanced arc and gas welding equipment, manual and automated plasma cutting products, CNC cutting systems, welding automation and robotics. These are supported by a wide range of welding consumables, accessories and personal protection equipment (PPE).
The 2014 acquisition of Victor Technologies, a manufacturer of cutting, gas control and welding products with widely recognised brands, has further expanded ESAB's product portfolio for the global welding and cutting industry. Like ESAB, Victor has a long history of innovation, having recently celebrated its centennial year.
As part of the Colfax Corporation, one of the world's leading diversified manufacturing companies, ESAB's values are based on continuous technical innovation and total commitment to serving the needs of its vast customer base. It will continue to put its customers and environmental responsibilities first as part of its commitment to excellence in welding and cutting.
Learn more about ESAB's welding and cutting innovations and the iconic achievements that helped shape the company's 110 years at www.esab.co.uk/110.
