Bolinder-Munktell
Encyclopedia
AB
Bolinder-Munktell (BM) was a tractor
and machines manufacturer founded in Eskilstuna
, Sweden
in 1932 through the merger of the mechanical companies Bolinder and Munktell. Bolinder was a large marine engine builder that in the 1920s had 80 percent of the world engine market.
Bolinder are also well known as manufacturers of 'Semi-Diesel' or 'Hot bulb' engines
.
In 1950 BM was bought by AB Volvo. In 1973 the company changed its name to Volvo BM AB and then in 1995 to Volvo Construction Equipment
.
The product range has changed with the times. Up to the beginning of the 20th century agricultural machines such as threshers were an important product.
Tractor production commenced in 1913, with the type 30-40. Tractors were the main product up to the 1970s, and gained an unsurpassed reputation for durability. During World War II, Bolinder-Munktell, at the request of the Swedish authorities, built Daimler Benz DB601 aeroplane engines under licence. An entire underground factory at Eskiltuna was built to accommodate this factory. Owing to the superior reliability of the Swedish-built engines the Swedish airforce issued instructions that for two-engined aircraft, at least one engine should be a Swedish built unit. From the 1950s new products in the construction equipment and forestry machinery categories emerged. These were initially based on the tractor chassis. Soon the construction equipment become the dominant product range and remains so today. Products developed in the 1960s and still in production are wheel loaders and articulated haulers.
sold its shares to Volvo
who turned the company in to a subsidiary.
Aktiebolag
Aktiebolag is the Swedish term for "limited company" or "corporation". When used in company names, it is abbreviated "AB" or "Ab"...
Bolinder-Munktell (BM) was a tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
and machines manufacturer founded in Eskilstuna
Eskilstuna
Eskilstuna is a city and the seat of Eskilstuna Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 60,185 inhabitants in 2005. Eskilstuna has a large Sweden Finn population....
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
in 1932 through the merger of the mechanical companies Bolinder and Munktell. Bolinder was a large marine engine builder that in the 1920s had 80 percent of the world engine market.
Bolinder are also well known as manufacturers of 'Semi-Diesel' or 'Hot bulb' engines
Hot bulb engine
The hot bulb engine, or hotbulb or heavy oil engine is a type of internal combustion engine. It is an engine in which fuel is ignited by being brought into contact with a red-hot metal surface inside a bulb....
.
In 1950 BM was bought by AB Volvo. In 1973 the company changed its name to Volvo BM AB and then in 1995 to Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo Construction Equipment is a subsidiary and business area of AB Volvo. Volvo Construction Equipment develops, manufactures and markets equipment for the construction and related industries.- Overview :...
.
The product range has changed with the times. Up to the beginning of the 20th century agricultural machines such as threshers were an important product.
Tractor production commenced in 1913, with the type 30-40. Tractors were the main product up to the 1970s, and gained an unsurpassed reputation for durability. During World War II, Bolinder-Munktell, at the request of the Swedish authorities, built Daimler Benz DB601 aeroplane engines under licence. An entire underground factory at Eskiltuna was built to accommodate this factory. Owing to the superior reliability of the Swedish-built engines the Swedish airforce issued instructions that for two-engined aircraft, at least one engine should be a Swedish built unit. From the 1950s new products in the construction equipment and forestry machinery categories emerged. These were initially based on the tractor chassis. Soon the construction equipment become the dominant product range and remains so today. Products developed in the 1960s and still in production are wheel loaders and articulated haulers.
History
Bolinder-Munktell traces its origins to the engineering workshops Munktells Mekaniska Verkstad (established in Eskilstuna in 1832) and J. & C.G. Bolinders Mekaniska Verkstad (established in Stockholm in 1845). In 1950 the main shareholder HandelsbankenHandelsbanken
Svenska Handelsbanken AB is a Swedish bank.-History of Svenska Handelsbanken:The history of Svenska Handelsbanken goes back to 1871 when a number of prominent companies and individuals in Stockholm's business world founded Stockholms Handelsbank...
sold its shares to Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
who turned the company in to a subsidiary.