Our history
From Tyngel to the world
In 1955, four brothers started welding steel in a converted chicken shed in Tyngel, Hillestorp, Sweden. The world they were working in was changing fast: factories were automating, warehouses were scaling, and the gap between a productive operation and a dangerous one was narrowing. Troax was their answer. Seventy years later, more than 15,000 customers on every continent trust us to guard their people, property and processes. That trust made Troax the world's leading industrial safety company, present in over 40 countries, with local expertise in every major market.
Where our safety journey began
1955–1964. Steel, structure and a founding idea
Troax was founded by brothers Erik, Folke, Helge and Sven Axelsson, who began working with steel in a converted chicken shed near their family farm. The business was first known as Bolaget Axo Järn och Metall, reflecting a broad focus on steel craftsmanship and practical manufacturing.
Early production included everyday steel products such as carts, storage systems and mesh partitions for basements and lofts. These early partitions introduced a core idea that would later become central to industrial safety: using separation, access and order to manage risk by design.
Becoming Troax
1965. A new name. A new chapter
In 1965, Lars Troedsson partnered with the Axelsson brothers to form a dedicated sales company. The new name Troax combined Tro from Troedsson and Ax from Axelsson. This step marked the transition from local craftsmanship to a more structured and scalable organisation, setting the foundation for what would become the world’s leading industrial safety business. The company name has reflected each stage of that journey:
- 1955: Axo Järn och Metall
- 1964: Axo Metall AB
- 1965: Troax Försäljnings AB
- 1983: Troax Axo AB
- 1997: Gunnebo Troax AB
- 2011: Troax AB2015: Troax AB and Troax Group AB
Expanding growth and environments
1970s-1980s. Into warehouses and scale
During the early 1970s, Troax expanded beyond Sweden into neighbouring markets. At the same time, the company moved into warehouse and garage environments, introducing partitioning and storage solutions designed to structure space and improve control. This period deepened Troax’s understanding of how safety, efficiency and flow are shaped by layout and physical definition. As the organisation grew, the need for clearer structure became evident. In 1983, Troax merged production and sales operations into Troax Axo, enabling more coordinated development and delivery. Soon after, Gnosjö‑Börsen AB acquired Troax AB, supporting further professionalisation and preparing the company for long‑term international growth.
Automation changes everything
1990s. Industrial safety takes centre stage
In the 1990s, industrial automation accelerated rapidly, particularly in manufacturing and automotive environments. As machinery became faster and more complex, safety requirements evolved alongside it. Troax responded by strengthening its focus on machine guarding and industrial safety innovation, moving beyond storage and partitioning into environments where safety needed to be built directly into operations, not added afterwards. From our production base in Hillerstorp, Sweden, the company began developing the modular systems and testing capabilities that would set new standards for the industry.
Part of a security group
1994-2010. Operating as Gunnebo Troax
Between 1994 and 2010, Troax was part of the Gunnebo Group, a global provider of security and safety solutions. During this period, the company operated under the name Gunnebo Troax AB. In 2010, Gunnebo divested Troax as part of a strategic shift and Troax returned to operating under its own name, with a renewed and independent focus on industrial safety systems.
Entering a new phase on our own terms
2015. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm
In 2015, Troax was listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. By this point, the company had established itself as a global leader in industrial safety and area protection. The listing strengthened long‑term governance and investment capacity, while reinforcing the focus on scalable, reliable safety solutions.
Going global
2016–2025. Scaling a proven way of working
Following the Nasdaq listing, Troax grew through capability-driven acquisitions and investments, strengthening expertise, technology and regional presence across EMEA, APAC and the Americas. The logic was consistent: expand where the same safety challenges exist and build on a well-defined way of working, rather than diversifying away from core competence. The result was a stronger, broader and more deeply embedded global safety business.
(Image with the last updated timeline with the dates from 2016 until today)
Today, Troax operates globally with production facilities and local teams across multiple continents. Present in over 40 countries, with production facilities and local teams across multiple continents, delivering the same standards, structure and reliability to every customer, wherever they operate.
2025 onwards. A full safety partner
Protection was always the starting point. Performance was always the destination. From 2025, Troax has been building the portfolio to connect them fully — flexible barriers, warning and detection systems, and advisory services alongside the core machine guarding, partitioning and storage offer.
Not a change of direction. A fuller expression of the same conviction that has driven the company since 1955: safety should be designed into how operations work, not added around them.