About us
Original Inventor est. 1970
The story of EWAB Engineering started in the early 70´s when we built miles of systems for the Glass Bottle manufacturing plants in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
At the speed of 200 bottles per minute, you don´t want anything to go wrong. Anything less than 100 percent availability and up-time was unthinkable.
Decades later we still build our material flow system solutions with the same performance, also with the higher degree of sophistication that is required in the automotive and other modern industries.
The EWAB Group is present in 10 countries today, meeting customers’ needs for automation solutions across large parts of the world. Engineering expertise and innovation are in our DNA and have shaped the company since its founding in 1970.
We believe in teamwork across borders, quality, performance, sustainability, and fair play.
Our presence in local markets evolves over time. Today, we have workshops in Germany, the USA, Spain, Italy, and Sweden. In other countries, we operate sales, design, and service offices.
One Company in 10 countries
“I have worked at EWAB for 40 years and loved every second of it.I have friends and colleagues all over the world and I am proud to be a part of a company like EWAB
that acknowledge each and every employee. ”
— Björn Löfstedt, EWAB Sweden
"I have been working in the EWAB Group for 25 years. For me, all of this time has seen a period of growth, both professionally and on a personal basis.
The EWAB international environment, the culture of the company, the great friends and colleagues that we have formed in this close team is really something to value."
— Sonia Gimeno, EWAB Spain
“Working at EWAB has been an incredible experience for me. It has been a pleasure meeting and working with my colleagues from all around the world.
EWAB has not only helped me grow in my profession,
but it has also made me passionate about the solutions we provide to our customers.”
— Dom Galante, EWAB US
The history of EWAB
1970, EWAB was founded in Vadstena, Sweden.
The inventor Ejwin Wahrén made a concept for transporting, accumulating, and re-routing glass bottles in commercial glassworks. This innovation required the development of a serpentine conveyor configuration, and a plastic chain designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the glass industry. It was the first plastic chain conveyor in the world to incorporate curve wheels, effectively eliminating friction in the curves.
It was in the demanding environment of glassworks that we gained invaluable insights into the critical need for system reliability. This experience laid the foundation for some of our unique expertise, including innovations in chain design and materials, curve wheel engineering, bearing load management, special sprocket designs, and many other features.
Until 1975, the glass industry was our primary target market.
1972, A new customer base in the horizon.
EWAB made is first contact with Volvo and a strong business relationship were established. The first conveyor system to the automotive industry were in place and these initial installations were part of our early efforts to introduce what would later become known in the market as lean production.
A production line was installed to manufacture a transmission component by linking 12 operations into a fully automated system. Once operational, only two people were needed to run the line, compared to the 22 workers required before automation. Remarkably, this line was relocated four times and remained in production until 1992, two decades after its initial installation.
1973, MS system
The MS systems were designed for direct transport of parts on the chain.
1974, EWAB Switzerland
EWAB Switzerland was established as a sales office for mainland Europe.
1975, Focus on the coffee industry
The era of glass bottle industry was over, and our focus slightly shift to food, beverage and the automotive industry. In the coffee industry we found success and the serpentine chain conveyor proved to be the ideal solution for the new packaging design. For many years we helped the producer to identify the bottleneck and designed solutions for maximum efficiency. Our findings led to a more than 25% improvement in production efficiency.
1976, Prototype of pallet system
EWAB designed and delivered its first prototype of a pallet system to Volvo. This marked an important milestone in the company’s history, as parts were no longer transported directly on the chain but on workpiece carriers. This approach was seen as a promising solution for the future.
Additionally, the first PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) control system was delivered to Volvo in 1976.
1978, The PS800 system was officially launched
The PS800 was officially launched this year, featuring a steel profile.
With the packing industry segment largely covered, EWAB decided to shift its focus from packaging to the automotive industry.
1980, EWAB Germany
EWAB Germany was established in Hann-Münden.
EWAB delivered a large MS system, over 3,000 meters of chain, for use in gearbox production at VW. This system remained in operation for more than 20 years.
1981, EWAB Italy
EWAB Italy was established.
1982, Aluminium and pistons
The conversion of EWAB’s PS800 system to aluminium was officially launched.
The first piston manufacturing line was installed at Alcan in Nürnberg, Germany.
1983, Buffer brake patent
The buffer brake, a significant innovation by EWAB, was developed and patented worldwide.
EWAB US was established
1984, PS800 satellite system
The first high-speed PS800 satellite system was designed and delivered to Black & Decker in the UK, incorporating special flow principles.
In the same year, the first large satellite system was also delivered to Hardy Spicer in Birmingham, UK, which was equipped with RFID units on all pallets and read/write units at every junction and every stop station.
1985 , The CS900 heavy-duty system
The CS900 system was invented and first tested in a semi-automatic wheel hub assembly line at Volvo, Sweden.
1986, EWAB UK
EWAB UK was officially registered.
1987, Pallet lift innovation
The first pallet lifts for cylinder head and piston assembly were developed for BMW.
First projects to the defence industry. A large CS900 system for grenade production for Bofors in Sweden was installed at their underground factory.
1988-89, Growth continues
New customers find the needs for EWAB automation.
Projects to OEM´s and Tier 1&2 suppliers are being built in US and Europe.
1990, EWAB France and EWAB Spain
EWAB France and EWAB Spain were established.
EWAB Italy began developing gantries and pick-and-place units.
1992, Invention of EWAB Sequra Chain
The patented EWAB Sequra chain was launched, meeting the latest safety standards.
An exceptional order from Maizena in Heilbronn, Germany led to the development of a new version of the MS system, known as MS600.
A long-term collaboration with GM began at their engine and transmission plant in in Aspern, Austria.
1993, Major project to Ford
The first major project to Ford was ordered.
1994, Agreement with Mercedes
EWAB Germany entered a “simultaneous engineering” agreement with Mercedes, which laid the foundation for a partnership that would last for many years.
1995, CE certification and 25th anniversary
CE certification for EWAB systems was obtained and the company celebrated 25th anniversary.
1996, ISO 9001 certification
EWAB was awarded ISO 9001 certification.
In 1996, the first Scroll Compressor project from the customer Visteon was ordered and launched in Palmella, Portugal. A total of 72 machine tools were linked for 6 different parts with a cycle time of 6 seconds, resulting in an output of 1.2 million units per year. The project was completed and commissioned in record time in April 1997.
1998, New development of PS810 system
The further development of PS810 was completed.
The first simultaneous engineering contract was signed with Ford.
2000, Key supplier in world engine programs
Key supplier in the world engine program.
Key supplier in the world transmission program
EWAB Italy and EWAB US move into new offices and workshops.
2001, Flexible production line to Argentina
EWAB Spain received a major order from VW in Argentina, involving machine and automation equipment. The investment included more than 200 machines, which EWAB integrated into the flexible production line.
EWAB Sweden was awarded ISO 14001 certification for its contributions to sustainability.
2003, Dual Clutch transmissions
EWAB became involved in setting up production lines for dual clutch transmissions (DCT), a technology originating in motorsports that was expected to become a key product for other OEMs in the future.
2004, Robot integrations
EWAB shifting focus to projects with peripheral equipment and robotics.
EWAB delivered and integrated more than 30 robots from various manufacturers in 2004.
2005, Heavy-duty CS2000 systems
The heavy-duty CS2000 system was developed and subsequently installed at SISU Diesel, a Finnish manufacturer of engines. The system was also used for forklift truck assembly and large cylinder measuring stations.
2006, Patent for PS820 system
EWAB was granted the patent for the PS820 system.
In the same year two large projects from Nissan Barcelona for the assembly of doors were successfully completed in record time.
2008, EWAB Argentina
EWAB Argentina was established.
2010, Projects for new automatic transmission
EWAB build several production lines for ZF´s new automatic transmission (8HP) in USA and it was a starting point for collaboration over several years.
2011, EWAB China
EWAB China was established
2012, New building in Hedemünden
EWAB Germany moved into its new building in Hedemünden by the end of 2012.
2013, Machine loading devices
A new Machine Loading Devices (MLD) department was established in Germany.
This department have focus on robot loading and gantry technology.
2014 – 2017 , Large orders from US transmission manufacturers
Large automation projects in Germany, China and USA were designed, built and implemented. Especially, new projects from leading manufacturers in US.
2018, Patent for the Autonomous Decentralized System (ADS) controls.
2019 , The Just Add Machines (JAM) concept was launched
You buy the machines, and we handle the logistics in between.
2020, Development of Connected systems
Digital Services with connected systems, real-time monitoring and data collections is developed to enhance customers production efficiency, and the understanding of line performance, bottlenecks and predictive maintenance of the line.
2021- 2025 – New projects for Electric Engines
New investments from leading car manufacturers are showing the way. Several projects for the new generations of electric engines are being built for OEM´s and Tier 1 suppliers.
What we do today
Today, EWAB is an industrial automation company with a global footprint offering automated conveyor systems, robot cells and integration of loading and unloading devices to your production line.
We support you all the way from idea to implementation, and design and build all from fully automated multi process flow systems to single cell solutions. Our robust and reliable pallet conveyor solution bring long lasting values to your production. The size, shape and weight of the Workpiece is the main characteristics taken into consideration when designing your EWAB system solution.
Automated carrier conveyor. Workpiece carrier system solutions. Pallet conveyor. Friction chain conveyor. Conveyor automation.
Whatever you call it, we can do it.
The Flow Experts
EWAB Engineering is a multi-skilled global organisation with 50 years of successful Flow Technology projects for the assembly and manufacturing industry. We rely on innovation, performance and knowledge to create the best solution possible for our customers and their manufacturing production. The EWAB Workpiece Flow Logistics concept is what you need to get ahead of your competition.
We design, build and implement
We manage your investment from project start to implementation at your production site. We design and build the best possible solution for each customer´s unique conditions and production requirements. The earlier EWAB Engineering is involved in a project, the easier it is to customize a solution that adapts to every constraint and process in your manufacturing production. We don´t just supply conveyors, we manage flow.
Research and Development
Over the decades the EWAB Group has made substantial investments in know-how and equipment for research and development. We know that the only thing that is constant is change, and to be able to meet new market demands and technological standards, we ourselves need to be the ones pushing the boundaries of technological achievements for the industry. Over the years we have developed many solutions and more will follow.
Established 1970
“Transforming industries through sustainable and innovative solutions”