ESAB, founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1904, has grown to span five continents. It has 30 manufacturing facilities, strategically located near to end users. In addition ESAB’s associates have two manufacturing facilities. ESAB sells its products in most countries of the world.
In recent years the manufacturing of some of the welding consumables production lines and manufacturing of certain standard equipment ranges have been relocated within Europe from higher cost Western European locations to Central Europe, where production costs are lower. In North America some production has also been relocated from the USA to Mexico. A relatively minor proportion of ESAB’s total consumables’ manufacturing capacity is located in Asia, and it is planned that such capacity will be increased in future years.
All of ESAB’s automated installations are manufactured at Laxå in Sweden, whereas cutting machines are manufactured at Karben in Germany, Florence in the USA and at the new cutting factory in Shanghai.
ESAB location map
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Revenue by destination
| 2008 £m |
2007 £m |
Increase % |
Increase at constant exchange rates % |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 594.7 | 474.8 | +25.3 | +9.9 | |
| North America | 238.6 | 213.4 | +11.8 | +3.7 | |
| South America | 198.0 | 137.2 | +44.3 | +30.3 | |
| China | 36.4 | 24.7 | +47.4 | +32.4 | |
| Rest of world | 192.1 | 120.7 | +59.2 | +48.9 | |
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| Total | 1,259.8 | 970.8 | +29.8 | +16.9 | |
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Europe
Europe remains ESAB’s most important region in terms of both sales and production capacity. In Western Europe, ESAB focuses on sectors such as shipbuilding, automotive and energy. Elsewhere in Europe, ESAB is developing its presence in Russia and the CIS states and other rapidly-growing markets such as Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.
North America
ESAB Group Inc. has a leading presence in North America. Its products are predominantly used in general metal fabrication, construction, transport, shipbuilding, process equipment, mobile machinery and automotive sectors.
South America
ESAB is a market leader in South America. It has two large manufacturing facilities in Brazil at Belo Horizonte and also has two manufacturing facilities in Argentina.
China
ESAB has been expanding its presence in China. In 2005, ESAB established a sales and distribution company in Shanghai, a new warehouse facility in Waigaoxiao and also opened a new cutting factory in Shanghai. In 2006, a solid wire and flux cored manufacturing plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu were opened. Expansion in China continued in 2008 with the opening of a consumables factory in Weihai and an equipment factory next to its existing plant in Zhangjiagang.
Rest of world
ESAB intends to increase its presence in the faster-growing economies of South East Asia and the Middle Eastern region. In September 2007, ESAB increased its shareholding in ESAB India Limited to 56 per cent. ESAB also owns 50 per cent of ESAB SeAH, a South Korean company.
In Africa, ESAB's operations remain limited but it is seeking to increase sales where suitable opportunities exist.