Alma Invest was founded in 1983 on the initiative of the Uppsala Sparbank and various entrepreneurs in the Uppland region. The original goal was to acquire blocks of shares in smaller companies in the region. In 1985 the original focus changed.
The geographic limitation was removed and the goal became to build a group of wholly owned subsidiaries in industry and trade. Cable manufacturer Habia Cable, with revenues of about MSEK 40, was acquired the same year. During 1987, the Alma share was listed on the then OTC list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. That same year the company changed its name to Alma Industri & Handel.
The company’s involvement in spring manufacturing began in 1988 when Stockholms Fjäderfabrik was acquired. The spring operations were supplemented in 1989 with the acquisition of Lesjöfors, with annual revenues of MSEK 90.
During the mid-1990’s, the Alma Invest Group began its concentration in the direction of industrial companies with high growth potential. By divesting companies that did not fit into the new strategy, capital was freed up for capital investments, especially in Habia and Lesjöfors. In conformity with the new orientation, industrial companies Cale Industri and Sundquist Components, as well as trading companies Pendax, E. Bierregaard and G&L Beijer Import & Export, were sold during the years 1995 to 1999.
Since 1995 – when the company changed its name to Beijer Alma Industri & Handel – capital expenditures in Lesjöfors have been in the area of production as well as marketing in existing companies, and also in acquisitions of companies. Lesjöfors acquired a total of 11 companies and sold two during the period 1995 to 1999. Among the larger acquisitions were GS Industri and DK Fjedre. Habia grew organically during the same period, with extensive investments in production capacity and by establishing its own sales companies in markets important to the company. In 1998, the Group changed its name to Beijer Alma.
Operations in Lesjöfors underwent certain concentration during 2000. The leaf spring production in Rånäs and the fine blanking operations in Värnamo were sold. Danish spring manufacturer Buck Jeppesen was acquired the same year. In 2003, Lesjöfors began manufacturing in Latvia and in 2005, Danfoss Fjäderverksamhet was acquired. In July 2006 Lesjöfors acquired the shares in the English spring manufacturer Harris Springs Ltd. In 2007, Lesjöfors also acquired another UK company - European Springs and Pressing Ltd.
During 2000, Habia acquired the German cable manufacturer Isotec Kabel, thereby gaining a strong position for further expansion in the important German market.
Historical events
1985
Cable manufacturer Habia Cable AB and heating and plumbing supply wholesaler E. Bierregaard AB are acquired.
1986
Cale Industri AB is acquired.
1987
Acquiring Stockholms Rörsmide AB supplements the heating and plumbing supply business.
1988
Alma’s spring business is started by the acquisition of Stockholms Fjäderfabrik and Automatfjäder AB.
1989
The spring business is supplemented through acquisitions by Lesjöfors AB.
1990
Packaging company Arne Sundquist & Co AB is acquired.
1992
Pendax AB with operations in audiovisual equipment is acquired.
1993
Trading company G&L Beijer Import & Export AB is acquired.
1995
Lesjöfors acquires sales companies Rally-Elit AB, Euro Suspension Ltd and Arto Laine AB. AB Cale Industri is sold.
1996
Lesjöfors acquires spring manufacturers Kilens Industri AB and Nyme, and toolmaker Scandic Tools A/S.
1998
Lesjöfors acquires GS Industri, spring manufacturer DK Fjedre A/S and surface treatment companies Gnosjö Yttek and Perny. Sundquist Components AB is sold.
1999
G&L Beijer Import & Export AB and E Bierregaard are sold. Lesjöfors acquires sales company B&G Suspensions BV. The surface treatment companies in Lesjöfors are sold to Bodycote.
2000
Habia acquires Isotec Kabel GmbH. Lesjöfors acquires spring manufacturer Buck Jeppesen A/S. Lesjöfors sells the Rånäs operation and the fine blanking business in GS Industri AB.
2001
Elimag Industri AB is acquired.
2005
AB Stafsjö Bruk is sold.
Lesjöfors acquires Danfoss Fjäderverksamhet in Tinglev, Denmark.
2006
Elimag is sold.
Lesjöfors AB acquires the shares in the UK spring manufacturer Harris Springs Ltd.
2007
Lesjöfors AB acquired the shares in the UK spring manufacturer European Springs and Pressing Ltd.
2008
Habia acquires the cabling company CS Technology AB. Lesjöfors concludes the acquisition of the spring operatins of Stece AB. Capacity expansion in China continues for both companies.