Our History

One of the earliest predecessors of today’s UTAB was Max Sievert AB, founded in the late 19th century and developed into a leading company in electric heating and industrial furnaces during the 20th century.

The company became recognised for its technical expertise in electrical heating systems, particularly resistance heating elements and industrial heating furnaces.

Max Sievert was an early adopter of modern materials and technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and service life in industrial heating processes.

Its innovation and technical development established an important foundation for the expertise that would later become part of UTAB.

AB Elektrougnar developed electric furnaces for a broad range of industrial applications, from heat treatment and brazing to melting processes within the metals industry.

The company became known for high precision, operational reliability and continuous technical development.

By focusing early on energy-efficient solutions and improved process control, AB Elektrougnar established itself as a respected supplier to Swedish manufacturing industry.

During the 1990s, its activities were incorporated into the operations that today form part of UTAB.

During the mid-20th century, TABO Ugnar AB became an important supplier of melting furnaces, heat-treatment furnaces and electrical resistance heating elements.

TABO was known for combining standardised solutions with custom-designed installations for a variety of industrial processes.

Its furnaces were used for applications including hardening, annealing and sintering and were recognised for their robust design, operational reliability and energy efficiency.

Many TABO installations remain in operation within Swedish industry today, demonstrating the quality and durability of the company’s solutions.

Another important name in UTAB’s history is Osmund, which developed advanced industrial heat-treatment solutions throughout much of the 20th century.

The company worked closely with the Swedish steel and engineering industries, supplying furnaces for applications including hardening, annealing and brazing.

Osmund became particularly recognised for its process expertise and ability to provide stable, accurately temperature-controlled heating processes.

The experience and specialist expertise developed within Osmund subsequently became an important part of UTAB’s combined technical knowledge.

ASEA was one of Sweden’s most significant industrial engineering groups and also played an important role in the development of industrial furnaces and electrical heating systems.

Drawing on its extensive expertise in electrification, automation and industrial heating, ASEA developed advanced solutions for the Swedish process industry.

Its industrial furnace activities contributed high technical standards and modern control technology to numerous industrial installations.

When ASEA merged with Brown Boveri during the 1980s to form ABB, parts of the business were restructured. The industrial furnace division was subsequently integrated into the operations that ultimately became part of today’s UTAB.’

Gränges Engineering was part of the Gränges Group and worked with technology development in metallurgy and industrial heating.

The company had extensive expertise in melting processes and heat treatment, particularly within the aluminium industry.

Its technical expertise and process knowledge added further specialist competence to the organisation that subsequently developed into today’s UTAB.

Ugnsbolaget specialised in custom-designed industrial furnaces and established a strong reputation through close cooperation with Swedish and international industrial customers.

The company developed solutions for applications including hardening, sintering and advanced heat-treatment processes requiring high levels of functionality, precision and reliability.

When the business became part of UTAB, both its technical expertise and extensive experience in custom-designed industrial solutions were incorporated into the organisation.

Over the years, expertise, technology and experience from these companies have gradually been consolidated within UTAB.

Together, they have created an organization with deep roots in Swedish industrial history and a broad technical platform in industrial heating technology.

In 2005, UTAB was acquired by AGA, now part of Linde. The acquisition formed part of AGA’s strategy to broaden its offering within industrial gases and process technology.

By combining industrial gas supply, heat-treatment expertise and process technology, customers could be offered more comprehensive and integrated solutions for industrial processes. At the same time, UTAB’s expertise in modern, energy-efficient heating technology continued to develop.

In 2022, E3-S acquired UTAB from Linde, marking a new phase in the development of the company.

Through the acquisition, E3-S took over the UTAB brand, its extensive technical archive and the accumulated knowledge of generations of Swedish furnace manufacturers. Continuity was maintained as the expertise and experience of the employees were transferred into the new organization.

The acquisition created new opportunities to further develop the offering within installation, service, modernization and optimization of industrial furnaces and associated systems.

In 2024, UTAB was re-established as an independent company within the same group as E3-S.

The purpose of the restructuring was to create a clearer focus on UTAB’s core areas of industrial furnaces, heat treatment and related services, while maintaining cooperation and synergies between the companies.

Today, UTAB combines more than a century of accumulated experience with modern technology and continuous development in industrial heating technology. With its roots in Swedish engineering and a unique body of accumulated expertise, UTAB continues to develop the next generation of industrial heating.