The site and service manager for the Gagnef facility is Lars-Olof Gärds, who notes that through the expansion in Gagnef they will increase aggregate production for MRO customers.
– We have application engineers, aggregate builders and service technicians who will focus on one-off manufacturing with a high degree of customisation. The ambition is to be a full-service supplier of system solutions, repairs and service that include hydraulics, cooling, filtration and electrification, he explains.
Being located locally in Sweden makes it possible to stay closer to the customer, with close discussions throughout the process, something that is appreciated because it becomes both easier and more cost-effective for all parties.
Growing demand for local presence
One reason for the new expansion is that HYDAC has in recent years noticed growing demand from customers for more local presence and wants the new facility to meet those wishes.
– At a time when many other companies are moving production abroad, we have instead decided to strengthen our production locally, something we call “Made in Sweden”. At the facility in Gagnef, we will be able to offer the entire process from design to installation with our own components, as well as access to service after installation, something I believe is relatively unique in Sweden at the moment, says Mattias Burman, Team Leader MRO.
In Gagnef, they will work with customers from all over Sweden, but production itself takes place on site. The operation is supported by a number of satellite workshops from north to south, with service technicians assisting customers locally. The new production facility is equipped with the latest technical innovations and has a high standard. There, they can produce high-quality products both efficiently and safely.
– The reason we chose to place the new production facility in Gagnef is that we have found highly competent staff in the region and see opportunities to grow over time together with several of our larger customers.
The expansion strategy is based on a long-term vision of meeting the demands of an increasingly complex and changing environment. As a full-service supplier, HYDAC can offer customers tailored solutions throughout the process, creating both value and cost efficiency.
Contributing to the green transition
HYDAC currently has twelve offices around Sweden as well as an existing production facility in Borås focused on systems for OEM customers. The difference between the Borås and Gagnef facilities is that Borås handles more serial production, while the Gagnef facility will focus on one-off manufacturing. HYDAC is part of a family-owned group headquartered in Germany and active in 50 countries.
– The different components are manufactured in Germany, and then we assemble customised systems and solutions on site in Gagnef, in close interaction with customers. Part of the investment in Gagnef will focus on energy-efficient and environmentally adapted solutions for our customers.
A technology centre for electrification
In 2020, HYDAC established New Technologies with a focus on the green transition and sustainable solutions. In 2023, a new office was opened in Gothenburg to strengthen that effort, and now in 2025 operations are being expanded further through the production unit in Gagnef.
– In Gagnef, we have also built an E-lab for e-mobility, an initiative that not only concerns hydraulic systems but becomes a technology centre that also includes other areas such as cooling, filtration and electrification. With our knowledge and expertise in e-mobility, we want to contribute to increased electrification of motor-driven work vehicles, explains Lars-Olof Gärds.
The aim is to actively support customers in developing mobile vehicles for the transition from fossil-based solutions to greener and more environmentally friendly alternatives. Simply replacing the drivetrain is a good start, but it is only a small part of electrifying a complete machine.
– It is necessary to examine and ensure that the hydraulic functions are energy-efficient, review the control system and its capacity when more subsystems are connected, and dimension the drivetrain and battery according to the actual needs of the units. New technology, such as software management, also becomes an important part of the overall solution.
If the analyses are carried out thoroughly and the right approach is chosen, the electrification project does not have to spiral in cost. At the same time, the customer gets a machine that not only meets legal and market requirements but is also technically updated.
