Steelwrist is a global manufacturer of tiltrotators, quick couplers and work tools for excavators with headquarters in Sweden. The company’s goal is to be the leader in developing, selling and manufacturing equipment that increase excavator efficiency. Steelwrist is today the fastest growing manufacturer of tiltrotators and quick couplers in the world. The product portfolio consists of a complete range of quick couplers, tilt couplers and tiltrotators in the “major” standards, control systems, work tools (buckets, grading beams, pallet forks, asphalt cutters, rippers, brushes) and powered work tools (finger-, multi- and sorting grapples, compactors, pallet forks and sweepers).
Starting a business to supply tools that increase excavator efficiency
Steelwrist was established in Sweden by Stefan Stockhaus and Markus Nilsson in 2005, with the goal of developing a new generation of tiltrotators. Scandinavia being the most advanced excavator market in the world makes Steelwrist well positioned for developing tiltrotators. The early years see a strong focus on product development, industrialization and growth. The product portfolio is expanded and production capacity is multiplied. In 2008 Steelwrist launched its own quick couplers and control system for excavators, XControl. Steelwrist entered a Preferred Supplier Agreement with Volvo Construction Equipment and the work to consolidate operations takes off.
Strong growth and sales in new markets
The company growth is strong and new markets are entered. In collaboration with SVAB Hydraulik AB the second generation of the XControl system is launched in 2010. Large investments are made in product development and steel casting – the world’s first fully steel casted tiltrotator, the X07, is launched in 2011. Casted components have superior durability and lower weight, resulting in an optimal weight/strength ratio.
Front Pin Lock technology increases safety
The result of a dropped bucket can be devastating and several serious accidents occur each year. In 2012 Steelwrist launch quick couplers with Front Pin Lock, a patented mechanical solution that enhances safety on symmetrical quick couplers. It works equally well on all types of excavators. With a front pin locked quick coupler the operator and co-workers can work safely. Safe couplers are soon also introduced on tiltrotators.
New tiltrotator models are launched and the product range is broadened in the years that follow in order to continue to grow outside Scandinavia.
Introducing SQ technology and Quantum control system including Tool Recognition
In 2017 a range of new products are launched, a major one being the SQ Auto Connection system for excavators. The system is developed as a part of the strategy to create a global standard for automatic oil connections. First introduced on quick couplers, then for adaptor plates and tiltrotators, and with interchangeability with other brands of fully automatic quick couplers or work tools. With the SQ Auto Connection system the operator can change between tiltrotator, hydraulic breaker, crusher, shear, pulverizer, grapple, screening bucket, compactor and any mechanical work tool, without ever leaving the cabin and in only seconds. Other new products are the High Flow tiltrotator technology, Quantum Control System platform, ToolRec, Powertilt with Front Pin Lock technology, grapples, compactors and TMX Powertilt. Quantum is the next level of control systems, a platform that combines control, communication, joysticks, sensors and actuators in delivering new efficiency enhancing functionality for excavators. An important functionality of Quantum is Tool Recognition (ToolRec). Apart from recognizing which work tool that is connected ToolRec is able to alert for service intervals and position where the work tool was disconnected.
Move to new headquarters and more than doubled production capacity
In 2018 the company moves to a new head office and a new manufacturing facility of 13 000 square meters in Rosersberg, Sweden, which more than doubles the production capacity. This year also saw the launch of a new powered work tool, a sweeper, and V14 self-cleaning electrical connector for SQ quick couplers.
Continued expansion to new markets
The expansion to new markets continues in order to support the increasing demand from customers from different countries and in line with the company growth strategy. In 2018 own sales representation was established in Italy and Japan, and in Australia and Poland in 2019. In April 2019 the Swedish investment company Solix acquires Terratech AB, with the daughter companies Steelwrist and SVAB Hydraulik. The acquisition is part of Solix’s strategy to acquire Nordic industrial companies with a strong product portfolio and with significant international growth potential.
Sweden’s Best Managed Companies recognition three years in a row
Steelwrist receives the Sweden’s Best Managed Companies award, sponsored by Deloitte in cooperation with Nasdaq, the first time in 2020, and then again in 2021 and 2022. Best Managed Companies is a quality award to recognize the overall success of private Swedish companies based on strategic direction, ability to execute, corporate culture and financial performance.
Expansion of the product offering for mini-excavators
To meet the demand for more versatile solutions also for the small excavators below two tons,Steelwrist expands the product portfolio in 2020 with the fully casted TCX S30-180 tilt coupler safety solution that complies with the new regulations for quick coupler safety.
Open-S – the open standard for fully automatic quick couplers
As Full Automatic Quick Couplers continue to grow, and more manufacturers release solutionsthe question about interchangeability between different manufacturers becomes an increasinglyimportant topic. In September 2020 the “Open-S” – a standard for fully automatic quickcouplers for excavators – is launched. Machine operators can combine quick couplers,tiltrotators and work tools from different manufacturers who are in compliance with the standardand be confident that they will work together. Steelwrist together with Rototilt Group AB are theinitiators of Open-S. It is an open standard, owned and managed by an independentorganization, the Open-S Alliance, which in turn is led by a council of engineers from themember companies.
Continued development of the SQ Auto Connection System
In 2021 the partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment takes another step as Volvo CEexpands the offering with factory-mounted Steelwrist SQ Auto Connect quick couplers onexcavators, also including work tool adapters in matching sizes. Volvo CE also joins theOpen-S Alliance as the first excavator OEM. More new members join, SMP Parts, RotarInternational and KH Maskin.
Steelwrist introduces the biggest model in the range of SQ Auto Connection quick couplers sofar, SQ90, targeted toward excavators up to 70 tons in the demolition industry. SQ90 as well asall other Steelwrist SQ products follow the global Open-S industry standard for fully automaticquick couplers for excavators.
The SQ product portfolio is further expanded in 2022 with the introduction of SQ50 fullyautomatic quick couplers and tiltrotators for mid-sized excavators. The SQ oil connectiontechnology is updated to allow for even higher flows, allowing users to run also the high flowrequiring work tools on mid size excavators.
More new products in the offering for the smallest excavators
In 2022 the X02 tiltrotator is introduced. Combined with an optimized set of S30 work tools forthe X02 the smallest excavators are able to do work in a wide range of applications.
Today Steelwrist has sales in 25 countries and its own representation in 15 and expanding.
