Long history of entrepreneurship

Ahlsell has a rich history with roots in several hundred companies. Behind all these companies there have been enterprising entrepreneurs who, just like us at Ahlsell, want to make it easier for customers to be professional. Together we have achieved great success in doing so, and it is our clear ambition to constantly improve!

Ahlsell's journey began in 1877, Stockholm, with the sales company John Bernström & Co, specialising in selling machines, pumps, and threshing machines. In 1922, the company merged with Ahlsell & Ahrens, a firm that sold various cast enamelled sanitary utensils from Husqvarna, Ankarsrum, and others, as well as pipes, fittings, and pumps.

After many acquisitions, Ahlsell & Ågren was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1964, including Ågren in 1962. The group's revenue was approximately MSEK 411, and staffing comprised 766 professionals. Ahlsell AB was born from the rebranding of the company in 1977, to celebrate the centenary.

In 1982, Ahlsell merged with AEG-Telefunken Elektriska AB, gaining a strategic place in electricals. The company was bought out of the stock exchange by Boliden AB in 1986, and Trelleborg AB took over Boliden. At that time, Ahlsell's business was well-diversified, embracing, among other things, wholesale, electronic manufacturing, and contracting operations.

Ahlsell's central warehouse in Hallsberg opened in XXXX, marking a significant milestone, followed by the high acquisition activity of the 199s. DIY distribution with the acquisition of Gelia moved them to a Finnish and Norwegian position within HVAC& plumbing. In 1997, the first online store of Ahlsell was launched. In 1999, Nordic Capital became the leading owner.

The early 2000s were a thrilling time for Ahlsell, with high acquisition rates, and Tibnor Industrivaruhus's acquisition resulted in an extra product segment for tools. Ahlsell succeeded in building powerful positions in both HVAC & plumbing and electrical in Norway through acquisitions. CVC acquired Ahlsell in 2012.

Ahlsell's market position was further strengthened by the construction of the world's most substantial automated warehouse in Hallsberg in 2011 and substantial investments in the e-commerce platform in 2015. Ahlsell celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2017 and continues to develop different service concepts, including Tryckt & Klart (workwear printing), Ahlsell Academy (competence development for customers), and Track n'Trace (delivery tracking).

In 2018, Ahlsell's net sales improved by 14%, though profitability did not advance at the same rate, leading to profitability-improving measures. Sustainability has become our comparative advantage at Ahlsell, and the e-commerce accounts for 28% of sales. glEnable in July decided to invest an additional MSEK 450 to ensure Ahlsell can continue delivering top-tier logistics.

Ahlsell AB began collaborating with the World Childhood Foundation in 2019, and CVC is now its principal owner, acquiring more than 90% of the company's outstanding shares.

1877
Ahlsell's history begins when the sales company John Bernström & Co was founded in Stockholm. The company sold machines, pumps and threshing machines.

1922
The company merged with Ahlsell & Ahrens, which sold cast enamelled sanitary utensils from Ankarsrum, Husqvarna and others, and pipes, fittings and pumps.

1964
Ahlsell & Ågren was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The Group's sales were about MSEK 411 and the company had 766 employees.

1977
The company was renamed “Ahlsell AB”.

1982
Ahlsell merged with AEG-Telefunken Elektriska AB, giving Ahlsell a strategic position within Electrical.

1986
Ahlsell was bought-out from the stock exchange by Boliden AB and about the same time Boliden was in turn taken over by Trelleborg AB.

1990
The central warehouse in Hallsberg opens, with an indoor surface of 28,000 m², compared with today's 80,000 m².

The 90s are marked by high acquisition activity and Ahlsell built a position within DIY (do-it-yourself) distribution with the acquisition of Gelia, and established a Finnish and Norwegian platform within HVAC & plumbing.

1997
Ahlsell’s first online store was launched.

1999
Nordic Capital became the principal owner.

2001
Acquisition of Tibnor Industrivaruhus resulted in an additional product segment for tools.

2003
Construction of a central warehouse in Finland.

2004
Acquisition of Bergen & Stavanger rörhandel in Norway

2006
Cinven and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners became the new principal owners of Ahlsell. Through acquisitions, Ahlsell was also established in Estonia and Åland.

2011
It was decided to build the world's then largest automated warehouse at the Swedish central warehouse in Hallsberg

2012
CVC acquires Ahlsell.

2013
ProffPartner in Norway was acquired

2014
Ahlsell exceeded 20bSEK in revenues

2016 (28th of October)
Ahlsell AB was admitted to trading on Nasdaq Stockholm’s Large Cap list. Prevex AB was acquired.

2017
Ahlsell celebrated its 140-year anniversary. Viacon was acquired.

2018
Ahlsell acquired Proffsmagasinet AB to further strengthen the e-commerce offering. MSEK 450 was decided to be invested in the central warehouse in Hallsberg.

2019
Ahlsell was delisted. CVC acquires more than 90% of all outstanding shares of Ahlsell AB and becomes the principal owner of the company.

2022
Sanistål AS was acquired in Denmark. Ahlsell exceeded 40bSEK in revenue

2023
Ahlsell received EcoVadis Gold status and committed to Science Based Targets in line with the Paris Agreement Goals. Ahlsell acquired KJV AS in Denmark.

2024
Sanistål rebranded to Ahlsell Denmark and acquired Bacher Workwear AB