An old historic Sweco photo with a man standing in front of a wood bridge and a river flowing under it

Our history

Transforming society together

From industrialisation to digitalisation. Sweco has been part of the transformation of society, helping our clients solve the challenges of our time.

Our history spans more than 130 years and it is best told through our projects and the way we have been transforming society together with our clients. Today, this heritage underpins Sweco’s role as Europe’s leading architecture and engineering consultancy.

100+ years of solving the challenges of our time

Our expertise and offer have constantly evolved to meet the demands of the present and the future. By combining different skills and perspectives, we can achieve the most innovative and sustainable solutions together with our clients.

This long‑standing way of working continues today through the Sweco Model, combining decentralised entrepreneurship with collaboration across disciplines.

We make sure people have clean water, clean air, clean energy and a physical environment where they can live, work and prosper.
– Gunnar Nordström, one of Sweco’s founders

Gunnar Nordström, one of Sweco's founders

In 1889, Hugo Theorell formed Theorell Installationskonsult AB and focused on constructing systems for ventilation and heating. The company was later acquired by Sweco. The memory of Hugo Theorell still lives on with the “Hugo prize” that is awarded to energy saving ideas and innovations to recognise the impact Hugo Theorell had in this area.
Our services in water systems was in demand already in 1902, when Johan Gustaf Richert formed Vattenbyggnadsbyrån AB (VBB). The innovations of VBB spread across Sweden as well as the rest of the world such as Kuwait, Egypt and India. Pictured is the hydropower plant in Forshuvudforsen in Sweden, constructed by VBB.
In 1958 Bertil Falck, Carl-Erik Fogelvik, Gunnar Nordström and Erik Smas founded the architecture firm FFNS. In 1996, the company had more than 550 employees working across 20 different locations. In 1997, FFNS acquired VBB and formed Sweco.
Since Sweco’s listing in 1998, we have made more than 130 acquistions to create value and strengthen our position and offering. In 2015, Sweco acquired the Dutch engineering consultancy firm Grontmij. The acquisition was a big leap for Sweco – moving from a major Nordic company to becoming Europe’s leading architecture and engineering consultancy.