120-year Anniversary

In April 1904, a pivotal meeting took place between two rivals: Henry Dunker of Helsingborgs Gummifabriks AB and Johan Kock of AB Velox. Johan, known as the ‘father of Trelleborg’s industry,’ and Henry, an ambitious businessman, set aside their competition. Their meeting resulted in a historic agreement, and together, they founded Trelleborgs Gummifabriks AB in 1905. This partnership set the wheels in motion for what would become a global industrial leader, forever changing their small town and laying the foundation for our future of innovation.

Our story starts in 1896, with our first production facility in Trelleborg, Sweden, the town we still call home. By 1905, our first products were rolling off the line, including bicycle tires and technical rubber goods. As the world evolved, so did we. Our product range expanded to include hoses, seals, gaskets, and even car tires. By 1911, we had proudly established ourselves as the largest rubber manufacturer in Scandinavia. The 1930s saw car tires become our leading product, and in 1948, we formed a works council, creating a forum for information and consultation that strengthened our partnership with our employees.

The mid-20th century marked a golden era of growth for us. With a saturated Swedish market, we turned our focus to the world, building a robust network of agents and distributors across 65 countries. This strategic shift had a remarkable impact: in 1950, exports were just 4% of our sales, but by 1970, that figure soared to nearly 40%. This period of rapid internationalization was solidified with our listing on the Stockholm stock exchange in 1964 and the opening of our first foreign production facility in the Netherlands in 1962. In 1977, we shortened our name to the one you know today: Trelleborg AB.

The 1980s brought a period of bold transformation for Trelleborg. Through a series of strategic acquisitions, we evolved from a rubber specialist into a dynamic industrial conglomerate, growing tenfold. With mining and metals as leading sectors and polymers remaining a core strength, we embraced globalization and achieved significant growth. The 1990s, however, presented formidable challenges. A tough economic climate tested our resilience, but we responded with strategic divestments and extensive streamlining. This chapter shaped us, helping us refocus our efforts to emerge stronger than ever before.

As the new millennium approached, we made another strategic pivot, transforming into a focused polymer group dedicated to advanced industrial applications. This era was defined by carefully planned divestments and targeted acquisitions that built a powerful new platform for growth. A landmark moment was an acquisition that led to the creation of our Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area. This move was a game-changer, solidifying our position as an innovative leader in polymer engineering and setting the stage for future success.

Since 2016, we have continued to sharpen our focus, expanding into high-growth industries and key geographies like the Americas and Asia Pacific. By divesting non-core businesses, we have doubled down on what we do best: advanced polymer engineering. This led to the 2024 launch of our Trelleborg Medical Solutions business area, a unit dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions for medical devices and biopharma. From advanced polymer solutions to cleanroom manufacturing, we are building a more specialized Trelleborg, a trusted partner ready to meet the critical challenges of tomorrow.