1971 - 1981

// 1971
Leading employees of KEBE Ersatzteile part with the company and form HANCOCK GmbH in Dörnigheim, Germany.

The construction of the modern high-bay storage system increases warehouse capacity and accelerates delivery times – the key to even better customer service.

// 1972
ESAB Inc. in den USA is set up.

A new electrode plant is built in Perstorp, Sweden.

The A21, one of the first orbital tube joint welding machines in Germany, is launched. Invention of the LHD thyristor controlled rectifier. A year later sees the first application of thyristor control in the successful A6 welding tractor.

// 1973
Introduction of the black and yellow logotype.

// 1974
ESAB-Ekman Welding pte in Singapore, ESAB-Iran Co, ESAB-Roman in Portugal and ESAB Manufacturing Inc, USA, are set up.

// 1975
The ESAB cutting division relocates to the new production plant in Karben, near Frankfurt, Germany.

A new expansion phase begins with the acquisition of Tehac Maschinenbau, Bochum, Germany.

ESAB Australia Pty Ltd. is set up. A production plant for semi-automatic equipment opens in Laxa, Sweden.

// 1976
ESAB becomes a major shareholder in Health Engineering Co, USA and Masing-Kirkhof, Germany.

// 1977
ESAB acquires Sarazin Soudure in France.
Opening of a new electrode plant in Milan, Italy.

KEBE-Ersatzteile is founded to guarantee delivery of spare parts for outdated cutting machinery.

// 1978
The company now trades under the name of ESAB GmbH. Launch of the LHF type thyristor controlled rectifier. Gehac Maschinenbau moves to Solingen, Germany, and starts manufacturing welding appliances.

// 1981
ESAB takes over Varios Fabrieken BV in Holland.
ESAB buys HANCOCK GmbH, a British firm specialising in oxy-fuel cutting.