Companies
Jernkontoret is jointly owned by just over 180 steel mills although the majority of these are now inactive. At the present time, operations that can directly be ascribed to the steel industry are carried out at some twenty or so sites.
Specialised companies
The Swedish steel industry – like the steel industry in the rest of the world – has undergone major restructuring. The steel companies have specialised within different areas where they manufacture highly finished steel grades and products that are mainly sold in export markets. This has meant that the companies have largely ceased to compete with one another on the national level.
World-leading niche producers
Many Swedish steel companies today are leaders within their respective areas.
Stainless steel:
Sandvik - largest in seamless tubes.
Outokumpu Stainless Tubular Products – one of the major producers of welded tubes.
Outokumpu Stainless – leader in stainless plate and high-alloy special steels.
Fagersta Stainless – one of the leading specialists in wire rod in Europe.
Carpenter Powder Products - largest in powder steel.
Tool steel:
Uddeholm - largest.
High-speed steel:
Erasteel Kloster - largest.
Metallic and ceramic elements:
Sandvik Heating Technology (former Kanthal) - largest.
Bearing steel:
Ovako - largest
Commercial steel:
SSAB – a leader in extra high-strength steel and largest in hardened steel.
Iron powder:
Höganäs - largest.
Moreover, companies closely related to the steel industry occupy a leading position in their fields:
Valve spring quality wire:
Suzuki Garphyttan - largest.
Chains (thick):
Ramnäs - largest.
Tubes for hydraulic cylinders:
Structo Hydraulics - largest in Europe.
