Our company and history

To us, business is personal. Everyone at Atlet is personally committed to the success of your material handling. From the Atlet sales team, analysing and diagnosing your logistics situation, to Atlet Service engineers, making sure your truck fleet is fit for action at all times.

Our personal commitment probably has something to do with our history as a family business, started by Knut Jacobsson in his own apartment over 50 years ago. The fact that we are very choosy about who comes to work at Atlet is probably also part of the explanation. Another factor must be Atlet’s business concept.

Improving the profitability of your material handling

Atlet is one of Europe’s leading truck manufacturers and material handling experts. We are committed to improving the profitability of your material handling. This is done by providing warehouse and counterbalance trucks of exceptional technical and ergonomic qualities, as well as after-sales support and related consultancy services, based on your unique situation.

Atlet trucks are produced at our headquarters and production plant outside Gothenburg, Sweden.

From a two-room flat in Gothenburg to warehouses around the world

Atlet’s history began in 1958, when Knut Jacobsson started innovating and making trucks at home in central Gothenburg, Sweden. Half a century later, the small truck manufacturer has grown into an internationally respected material handling expert, and represented in 45 countries.

The focus on ergonomics and innovation was clear from the very beginning. These are still among the key characteristics of the Atlet brand. Initially, the company was called Elitmaskiner (Elite machines), and only manufactured indoor hand-pallet trucks.

During these early years, pedestrian stackers and reach trucks dominated the market. Knut Jacobsson invented the stand-stacker. It offered lift capacities comparable with the reach truck, but could be used in more narrow aisles, thanks to its patented side stabilisers. In 1966 the company changed its name to Atlet.

International expansion and technological innovation

Knut Jacobsson was quick to recognise the opportunities available on other markets. He began exporting to Norway in 1962 and Holland two years later. This growing overseas business led to Atlet establishing its first subsidiary in the UK in 1969, which was joined by a German equivalent in 1976. Today, Atlet has additional subsidiaries in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.

During the 1970s Atlet extended its offer to include professional training for truck drivers. We also continued our commitment towards technological and ergonomic innovation. Over the years, we have developed software for material handling simulations, automatic trucks and a mobile terminal system.

Between 1988 and 1994 Atlet collaborated with doctors and occupational therapists on a research project, which resulted in Tergo®, a reach truck with innovative ergonomic solutions such as the mini steering wheel and the free-floating armrest. Since then ergonomics has been a continued focus for Atlet.

In 2007, Atlet AB was bought by Nissan Forklift, a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company. Today Atlet is a part of Nissan Forklift Co. Ltd.

Do you want to know more about Atlet?

On this site you can also learn more about working at Atlet and about Atlet corporate governance. Or perhaps you’re looking for logos, images and other press material?

If you want to know what we can do for your business, you might want to explore the Atlet Total offer.