Company

Every material handling operation is unique and demands customised solutions for optimal efficiency and profitability. Atlet’s R&D process is based on this fact. Working closely with our customers, we are able to develop trucks that satisfy each customer’s unique demands.

Atlet’s research and product development is a continuous process carried out in close collaboration with our customers, sales staff and suppliers. Everything, however, begins in the customer’s material handling operation. The continuously gathered input we get from our customers form the basis of our pilot studies, which specify the demands of the new products. In addition, the input also sparks off an intense questioning session. How do we produce this forklift truck in the smartest way? What modules should we use? And what detailed specifications will meet requirements? Then, before we define the final concept, we build full-scale prototypes. After that follow numerous prototype tests at our customer’s facilities before we finally initiate serial production.

Other relevant information

On this site you can also learn more about our production process and our forklift trucks. If you want to know what we can do for your business, you might want to explore the Atlet Total offer.

Better ergonomics gives better economics

You get more from a healthy operator. He or she performs better and reduces your total costs of operation. That’s the simple truth about truck ergonomics and the reason why we design each Atlet forklift truck with the operator in mind. And considering the fact that the forklift represents only 10% of the total cost while the operator represents 90%, it makes perfect sense to invest in good ergonomics.

To us, business is personal. Everyone at Atlet is personally committed to the success of your material handling. From our sales team, analysing and diagnosing your logistics situation, to our Service Engineers, making sure your forklift 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 with us is probably also part of the explanation. Another factor must be our business concept.

Improving the profitability of your material handling

Atlet is one of Europe’s leading forklift 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 forklift 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 forklift trucks at home in central Gothenburg, Sweden. Half a century later, the small forklift manufacturer has grown into an internationally respected material handling expert, represented in 47 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, we have additional subsidiaries in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and the US.

During the 1970s we extended our offer to include professional training for forklift drivers. We also continued our commitment towards technological and ergonomic innovation. Over the years, we have developed software for material handling simulations, automatic forklift 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. In 2012 UniCarriers bought Nissan Forklift, thus also Atlet.  Today Atlet is a part of the UniCarriers group.

Do you want to know more about us? 

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.

Here you can find out about the basic principles and institutions that govern Atlet every day. The mission we work to fulfil for our customers, as well as the vision that guides Atlet’s offer, processes and human resources. Also, how we are organised, and how we work to secure quality and environmental concerns.

The Atlet mission

The Atlet mission is to improve the profitability of the customer’s internal material handling, by offering user-oriented and ergonomic products including after-sales, support and related services.

The Atlet vision

Our vision can be summarised with the phrase "Atlet values are lifting". This is an integral part of Atlet’s leadership, organisation, products and services and our everyday method of working. The vision guides our work within three main areas: customer offers, processes and staff.

Atlet should focus on the needs of the customer when making important decisions. Products and services should meet internal and external customer specifications and expectations. We must always keep our promises, and the customer must always consider Atlet to be ahead of its competitors.

Atlet’s method of working must be process-orientated and focused on customer benefit, efficiency, profitability and zero errors. By steadily improving processes, customer benefits and operating results will be improved.

Regarding human resources, it is Atlet management’s responsibility to recruit the necessary new staff, and to work to utilise and develop the skills of all employees. Meanwhile, each employee should work to develop team spirit, commitment, ethics and discipline.

Quality policy

The Atlet quality policy is all about excellence. Every company that chooses Atlet must become a satisfied and confident customer. We must always strive to be a leader and an example in our sector. Atlet’s process of developing, purchasing and manufacturing warehouse forklift trucks is quality certified according to ISO 9001:2008.

If you want to know more, please download the complete Atlet quality policy. You can also download a copy of our ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration.
 

Environmental policy

The environmental policy is about minimising risks to environment and health, as well as working for a sustainable society. Based on our knowledge on the forklift truck's environmental impact and Atlet’s objectives, we must work toward continuous improvement and meet or exceed relevant environmental legislation, directives and regulations. Atlet’s process of developing, purchasing and manufacturing warehouse forklifts is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001:2004.

If you want to know more, please download the complete Atlet environmental policy. You can also download a copy of our ISO 14001:2004 certificate of registration.
 

Group organisation

The Atlet group includes nine subsidiaries and an international division. The subsidiaries are Atlet Belgium, Atlet Denmark, Atlet UK, Atlet France, Atlet Germany, Atlet Holland, Atlet Norway, Atlet Sweden and Atlet USA. Atlet’s headquarters, R&D and production facilities are located in Sweden.

Atlet’s international division is a separate organisation for its (35) distributor markets. The distributors in our network operate according to Profitable Partnership, a set of business support concepts and programs, developed specifically for distribution partners.

Facts & figures

Company
Part of The Nissan Group.

Headquarters, production, R&D
Mölnlycke, outside Gothenburg, Sweden.

Number of employees
around 1,000.

Turnover
around EUR 190 million.

International presence
47 markets

9 subsidiaries
Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA

International division
Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Ukraine

Members of the Board

Chairman of the Board: Keiji Ikeda

Board members: Lars Lundin, Martin Sunemar, Takanobu Tokugawa

Other board members: Ted Gustafsson, Deputy Member of the Board

Atlet Group Management Team

• Bengt Kristiansson, Vice President Sales & Marketing
• Sosuke Yoshioka, Vice President Product Development
• Keiji Ikeda, Chief Executive Officer
• Martin Björkroth, Vice President Product & Manufacturing
• André Högevoll, Vice President HR & Corporate Administration
• Lars Lundin, Vice President Finance & IT

Do you want to know more about Atlet?

On this site you can also learn more about working at Atlet and about the Atlet company and its history. 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.

If you would like to know more about Atlet UK, our forklift trucks and services, or if you have any questions about material handling, please contact us.