Svenska Varv AB

Svenska AB Varv was a state-owned joint-stock company in Sweden, which was created in 1977 to consolidate the present in severe crisis Swedish shipyard industry.

Shipyard group

The combined in the Svenska Varv shipyard group initially consisted of the previously private and independent enterprises Götaverken ( with Finnboda ) Uddevallavarvet and Karlskronavarvet. As a result, even Erik Berg, Kockums and Öresundsvarvet were added. With the gradual adoption of this great Swedish shipyards a fundamental restructuring and plant closure began. Erik Berg and Lindholmen was almost immediately closed. The Öresundsvarvet in Landskrona, with its 1800 employees, was decommissioned in 1981, while Götaverken and Kockums were still operated until the late 1980s, albeit with continuous reduction of their workforce. The large Uddevalla shipyard was closed in connection with the termination of state funding for the shipbuilding industry in 1985.

Conversion to a defense contractor

In 1987, after most of the yards were sold or closed, the company changed its name to Celsius Industrier AB and became a munitions factory. Celsius was incorporated in 1991 with Försvarets Fabriksverk, a manufacturer of ammunition and other military supplies, and was partially bought by 1984, formed by the merger of Bofors and KemaNobel Nobel Industrier AB.

Privatization

1993 Celsius was floated; the state retained a minority stake of around 25 percent. In 1995 the company name was shortened in Celsius AB. In February 2000, Saab acquired the Celsius AB, and thus also their daughter Bofors. The division of the heavy weapons (guns, etc.) was sold to the United Defense Industries in Arlington, Virginia in September 2000. Only the missile business remained at Saab and is now under the present name Saab Bofors Dynamics.