“I’m proud to be able to present a very strong fourth quarter and a record result for the full year 2021,” said Mats Rahmström.

The overall order intake for Atlas Copco’s products and services increased significantly compared to the previous year. The order intake for all compressor types, vacuum pumps, and power equipment grew strongly. Solid order growth was also achieved for industrial assembly solutions, machine vision solutions, and the Group’s service businesses. Year-on-year, solid order growth was achieved in all major regions and in all business areas.

Orders received in the fourth quarter grew to MSEK 33 525 (25 868), an organic growth of 26%. Revenues increased 12% organically to a record MSEK 29 533 (25 738). Operating profit increased 16% to MSEK 6 248 (5 373), corresponding to a margin of 21.2% (20.9). Adjusted operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, was MSEK 6 462 (5 402), corresponding to a margin of 21.9% (21.0). The return on capital employed was 27% (23).

“Our whole organization have gone above and beyond to continuously adapt to changes and find new ways of working during the year”, said Mats Rahmström. “This agility and ability to find new and better ways have really made a difference for our customers”.

Looking ahead, in the near-term, Atlas Copco expects that the customers’ business activity level will remain at the current high level.

The Board of Directors proposes an ordinary dividend for 2021 of SEK 7.60 (7.30) per share, to be paid in two installments, an extra distribution of SEK 8.00 per share through mandatory redemption of shares and a 4:1 share split of ordinary shares.