Engcon celebrates 30th anniversary

The journey from the turntable from a garage in the small village of Lidsjöberg to downtown Manhattan.

When Stig Engström first came in contact with an excavator quick coupler that could rotate and tilt, he knew immediately that this product would change the world of digging. In 1990, he started the company Engcon. 30 years later, Stig Engström's life's work has a turnover of more than one billion Swedish kronor. A world-leading company, with products available all over the world.

Engcon - "Engström Construction" - is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Everything began in Stig Engström's garage, in the small village of Lidsjöberg. This is located 70 km northwest of the Swedish town of Strömsund. There, Engström built several prototypes himself, which were then tested by local contractors. Although he was convinced that this product had enormous potential, it was not yet easy to convince others and make the concept a reality.

"In the beginning we had many setbacks, both technical and economic. To test the product in practice, I was completely dependent on local contractors. There were still many technical challenges in the development phase. At the same time, there was an increasing need for capital. After a few years, however, the product worked better and more and more innovative contractors discovered the advantages of the rotary tilt. Our current success is due to these types of contractors," says Stig Engström.

The headquarters, factory, Swedish sales organization and most of the administrative functions are still in Strömsund. It will remain so, according to Stig Engström, who has pledged his heart to this region. Meanwhile, Engcon also has a factory in Poland and sales companies in Finland, Denmark, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, America and Australia. Hard work is underway to begin sales in Korea this spring as well. Other markets being worked on by the international sales organization are Austria, Switzerland, the Baltic countries, Spain and Italy.

"Currently, final preparations are being made for a major deal with delivery in downtown Manhattan. 30 years ago I could not have imagined that today I would have a company with a turnover of more than one billion kroner with more than 300 employees in more than ten countries," says Stig Engström.

The 30th anniversary will be noticeable in several ways in 2020. For example, in March at the Conexpo - Conagg fair in Las Vegas, at the TKD fair in Almere and at the Swedish Maskinexpo fair in May. On July 9, there will be a big party: then Engcon invites all residents of the town of Strömsund to a show. On July 10 there will be an open day for the public, with tours, activities, cake, film and speeches.

"We look forward to the next 30 years with confidence! Who knows where our turntables will be used then?" ends Stig Engström with a smile.